The Fault In Our Stars by John Green
by Jenners • 11/27/2012 • 5 Stars, Contemporary, F Titles, Fiction, G Authors, Young Adult • 81 Comments
The Fault In Our Stars by John Green
Where I Got It: Bought it for my Kindle
Genre: Fiction, Contemporary, YA
Why I Read It: Every blogger who read this praised it to the moon. I had to find out why.
My Rating: 5 stars
Before this book, I’d read another John Green book, Looking for Alaska, that everyone seemed to adore but left me feeling cold. So when I started seeing stellar reviews for this book, I was a bit skeptical that it would entrance me as much as everyone else. Still, so many bloggers that I trusted absolutely raved about how amazing and uplifting and funny and sad this book was that I felt I had to give it a chance. So I did. (And I stayed up way too late last night finishing it.) As I wiped away my tears and hit the sack, it occurred to me that the perfect way to review this book would be to capture my feelings about it as the five stages of grief. (Very apropos given that the subject of the book is teenagers with cancer.) So before I forget this brilliant, middle of the night inspiration, I’m writing my review the day after finishing the book (which is pretty much unprecedented for me as I still have reviews to write for books I read in APRIL!!!)
Stage 1: Denial (before starting the book): This book can’t possibly be as good as everyone says it is. How can a book about teens with cancer be funny and uplifting yet also heart-breaking? And a YA book that really moves me? Bah humbug. I’m too old for these YA books. They disappoint me more often than not.
Stage 2: Anger (within the first five chapters): Damn it! This book is brilliant! I’m loving Hazel Grace and Augustus Waters and their witty repartee and view of life. Why did I wait so long to read this? Why did I delay? Why didn’t I listen? What if I’d decided to chump out and not read this and MISSED IT? Arggghhh…you stupid fool!
Stage 3: Bargaining (about the middle of the book): I don’t want this book to end. I want to stay with these characters longer. If I slow down my reading pace, I can spread the delight of this book out over a few days. Maybe if I start another book, this book will never end and I’ll get to read it for days and days.
Stage 4: Depression (at about the three-quarter mark until the end): I can barely read through my tears and my smiles. I’m having my heart broken by this author over and over. Such emotion and pain and laughter and feelings of truth and beauty. Each page takes me closer to the end of this amazing gem of a book and I don’t want that to happen.
Stage 5: Acceptance (now): Everyone was right. The Fault In Our Stars is a truly special book that transcends the YA genre and speaks to the human heart. It is fierce and funny and unapologetic and realistic and it broke my heart in the best of ways. A true five-star read and one I’m grateful to have read. Thank you, John Green. I bow before you in your brilliance. You’re no Peter Van Houten!
I loved this one!
So amazingly good. I adore Hazel and Augustus!
“Looking for Alaska… left me feeling COLD. So when I started seeing STELLAR reviews for” The Faults in Our Stars… Are you doing that on purpose, or are you a goofball right down to the subconcience?
Since I didn’t notice it until you pointed it out, I guess I am a goofball right down to my subconscious.
I’ve always thought so. : )
I love how you’ve set this up with the five stages of grief. I had the same reaction to this one, though, that you did to Looking for Alaska (which I loved). I just can’t put my finger on why I didn’t love this one like everyone else!
That’s so funny that we had exact opposite reactions to these books. It would be interesting to explore this more and figure out why.
An excellent review. I’ve too read some great reviews for this book. I may Have to add it to my wishlist!
Oh you really must! It is amazingly good.
Wonderful review Jenners. “I’m having my heart broken by this author over and over.”-don’t you love when that happens?
I do love it … and it doesn’t happen nearly often enough!
Guess I need to read this! Wow!
Yes you do. That is an order!
I am so unbelieveably glad you loved this one! There are so many books that don’t live up to the hype, but this one is so lovely. I read it the week it came out because I was already a big Green fan, but it was even better than I could have hoped. Also, it’s set in my hometown, so while reading it I visited the Funky Bones sculpture and other things. So good!
I know. I was worried that all the hype would be just that — hype. How cool to have the opportunity to visit the places that Hazel and Augustus went to .. it would make me feel closer to them somehow.
As you say this comes highly recommended by just about everyone who reads it which I admit tends to put me off as like yourself I generally find it hard to believe any book can live up to so much hype. Oh well, another one to keep an eye out for, thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Sometimes, though, the hype is right. In this case, it was as good as everyone said.
Wow – five stars from you! Must be good. I enjoyed Looking for Alaska a lot – so this will no doubt be right up my street!
I’m pretty stingy with my 5 stars actually so you’re right … it must be good!
I love the way you formatted this review — brilliant!
I loved this novel too.
Thanks! It was one of those moments of inspiration that, thankfully, I didn’t forget.
I’ve been afraid to read this. I love, love, love this post. One of your best. Now I need to see if I can bring myself to get ready to cry.
I like Green, but I have yet to read this one. Looks like I am missing out.
Oh you need to read this one!! It is a MUST READ. But prepared to cry … a lot.
Love your review format! This was one of my favorite reads of 2012. I loved Augustus! I’m really glad you loved this book too.
It is going to be on my best of the year list for sure. I loved both Hazel and Gus. I wanted to spend more time with them.
Awesome and seemingly appropriate review! I never really felt like I needed to read this book, but now I’m going to add it to my “to read some day” list.
Oh it is sooooo good. Really a gem of a book that would speak to almost anyone who has faced loss or had thoughts about the quality of life. It is amazingly well-written and speaks of real truths that matter. Make time for it!
I don’t know that your ardor will cool; mine hasn’t. And I know 16-year-olds who love books and talk something like that. John Green is an alumnus of the college where I work.
Oh how cool!! And I’m glad to hear that some real 16-year-olds do talk like that. It is nice to know!! And I suspect I won’t lose my love of this book … but I often get gaga over a book and then rethink it later. However, in this case, it isn’t nothing when I’m so moved that I’m in tears for a good 45 minutes of reading.
I feel like the Grinch when it comes to this book. I liked it, but it didn’t wow me like it did everyone else. I still like Looking for Alaska best.
Well bah humbug!
Brilliant review, Mrs. J.! I hadn’t added this to my list so far (not my usual genre) but I have now. You’re very convincing
YA isn’t my usual genre either but this is really worth reading. If I convince a few more people to read it, I’ll have done my work!
Sorry. My last entry reads a little like one of your Q&A tag posts that you conduct. I didn’t mean to pressure you.
So, what constitutes a YA book? What is the criteria that has them market it to young adults verses the rest of us? Do you think it is something a teenager should read? Is it better suited for grown ups?
As far as I understand it (and I asked these very same questions), YA books are usually geared to young adults because they are about and told from the point of view of a young adult (mid-to-late teens and 20s). Twilight and The Hunger Games series are both considered YA books (some of the better known ones). They market them to YAs because they think that they want to read books written from their point of view (and probably rightfully so). Yet so many are appealing to everyone — not just young adults. I know I’ve read quite a few and found them brilliant. Yet many seem “too young” for me as I’m not really the targeted audience. A teenager could read them (and do) but the subject matter is definitely more mature — often dealing with sex, dating, romance but also there are a lot of YA dystopias and paranormal books. I think it all depends on the book and the teenager reading it. For this one, I could definitely see it appealing to teens and adults but it deals with some heavy issues (death and mortality). Hope this answers some of your questions!
I have this and Looking For Alaska on my to-be-read list. My 16 yr. old daughter just finished Looking For Alaska in her junior English class and is having a fit for me to hurry up and read it so we can discuss – she loved it. Thanks for a great review!
Oh what I would give for a teen to have books to read with. If she liked Alaska, maybe this could be her next John Green!
Wow. Wow. Wow. And to think when I glanced at the beginning of the post, I thought the book title was “The Fault In Our Shorts.” (I have no idea where my mind was!)
I won’t comment on the last part of your comment. : )
This was a brilliantly written review. The five stages of grief review for a book about a teen with cancer? Brilliant and also…brilliant. Wish I had thought of it but I have yet to read the book. Which, don’t you worry, I won’t skip out on!
It is a must read … so I’m glad you shall not be skipping out. I don’t want you to go into the “anger” phase.
Or the depression.
I have this book on my shelf, I bought it because of all the talk, and because I kept selling copies of it and young adults telling me how John Green is awesome!! I AM going to find time to read this book….maybe even this year!!
I love the way you wrote your review…so creative..thank you for sharing.
Definitely make time for it. There is a reason everyone is gaga over about it. And it is quick read too — at one point, I couldn’t put it down.
what a brilliant way to review a book! i’m
taking this one on CHristmas vacation!!!
Keep in mind there will be lots of crying!
So, I should read it so I’ll stay up late into my few sleep hours and cry, cry, smile, and cry? You do know how to convince a girl
A good cry never hurt anyone!! But yeah … it could cut into your precious sleep so beware!
I’ve had this sitting on my stacks and need to get to it. I’ve loved all his other books. Jellicoe Road was wonderful, hope you like it as well.
I’m hoping Jellicoe Road all comes together (and Rhapsody Jill) says it does becuase I’m a little confused right now!!! And make time for this one — it is brilliant — especially if you are a John Green fan already.
Great review and it fits the book perfectly. I really enjoyed this book as well. I still think about the characters!
I know! They stay with you. I wish I could have spent more time with Hazel and Augustus.
Love the review! That’s how I felt about the Hunger Games. I was convinced that it couldn’t be good and I wouldn’t like it. But I loved those books. Twilight had lived down to my expectations so that’s probably why. I’ve seen so many things about John Green and haven’t read him yet. I guess I should!
2 Kids and Tired Books
I got sucked into the Twilight books although I went in determined not to like them (and still feel somewhat embarrassed that I did like them). And I loved the first Hunger Games book but thought they went downhill. This book, however, just blew me away. I hope you read it. It is THAT good.
In the words of John Green used in this book…”it would be a privilege to have my heart broken by you”. It was a privilege to be crushed by this book. My eyes get all weepy just reading your review.
Oh you are going to make me cry just sharing that quote!!
I love how you formatted this review! So creative.
I have not reviewed this (yet, maybe) but did read it. I enjoyed it but didn’t fall in the same kind of love everyone else did. But I think I had unrealistic expectations by the time I read it. Unfortunately, I don’t remember much about it anymore. 
I’m sure my ardor will cool after a few weeks (the problem with writing reviews right after you read a book) but I just really loved the characters so much. And it just broke my heart.
What is it on the Jenner’s tear/cry scale.
By the way, I really liked this format of review.
It is a definite 9 out of 10 cries. I was pretty much in tears for the last 45 minutes of reading.
Very nicely written!
Thank you. I just fell in love with this book so much. I’m now reading Jellicoe Road. Maybe another home run?
If I love the book even half as much as I loved your review, then it will be worth my while. And then some.
Oh I’m sure you will. It is hard book not to love.
See? I loved it. I read this one first though and then Looking for Alaska and was not impressed with Alaska. I think I was hard on it though because I was just coming off of Fault.
I loved that the parents in Fault were present but not in your face and controlling.
I didn’t get impressed with Alaska either and I wasn’t coming off of Fault so I just don’t think it is as awesome. And I agree — the parents were great in this book. Not demons — real parents but loving and human. Just so well done. I was a mess by the time I was done.
Okay adding to my list!
A word of caution: When you get to the halfway point, don’t read it in public as you’ll be sobbing your head off.
I loved this book, and I love your review!
I kind of want to go read it again now…
I love those characters so much … for once, a YA book where I wish there could be a sequel.
I’m going through the denial stage at the moment. How can a book possibly be that good and loved by so many people? My expectations are way too high and so I’m scared to even try it. I guess I should just give it a go and see if I go through the same stages as you.
I hear you. I was right there with you. I didn’t expect much as I really didn’t like the previous book I read of his. But this one just touched me and I fell in love with the characters. Really well done YA.
I adore John Green – not just because he’s obviously a talented writer, but also because his passion for young adult literature is so sincere. He refuses to talk down to teenagers and that’s fantastic. Unfortunately, I have a hard time separating his own voice from that of his characters sometimes which can take me out of his stories. Probably more of a personal problem! His youtube videos are amazing as well!
Oh I can definitely see that!! Do I really think that two 16-year-olds could talk like Hazel and Gus? Probably not. But I don’t care … I just loved them and how they talked and thought and loved and I fell for this book hard. Of course, my ardor will probably cool in a few weeks but when a book hits me in an emotional place, I have to write about it right away.
The fault was in my tear ducts! I totally loved this too. You nailed it with the ‘witty repartee’. This book was like being in the room with two totally cool beings who so totally don’t know they’re cool.
Like, whatever.
I’m worried that my next John Green will not live up to this, but I am so willing to risk it. Ahhhhh, acceptance!
I know! I wanted to keep hanging out with Hazel and Gus. I loved seeing them fall in love. I fell in love with them as they fell for each other. Talk about being a grenade to someone — they messed up my tear ducts!
Another fabulous review of this book! I have to get my hands on a copy!
You really do. It is a good as everyone says.
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