I just finished reading The Fault of Our Stars by John Green, off the recommendation of kraves88 (in 5.5 hours since you will ask.) A very thought provoking book to say the least. I am up at one am because it has spawned many thoughts and brought up some memories as well. I did not post this at one am because my computer restarted. I now have time to edit this post. Woo..
This book may have had more of an impact on me if I had not already discovered the heart wrenching books created for the Make a Wish Foundation in my early teens. Then the Humane Society put out a series of truly depressing books about rescue pets. I also made the mistake of purchasing some books via a mail-in book club thing that our school was doing. This got me the book Ghost Girl by Torey Hayden. The story is about a young girl that was being molested by her family. Truly shocking for a girl who just entered junior high school and thought she was getting a horror story (I was really into Steven King and Dean Koontz at the time.)
Back to John Green. Mr. Green has written several books and has a thriving YouTube Channel. I did not even realize that he wrote this until my spouse pointed it out. Mr. Green is very charismatic on YouTube and he writes well. I was able to visualize much of the story and characters.
Without giving out to many spoilers, the book is about a teenage girl named Hazel that has terminal cancer. She meets a boy and stuff happens. Earlier today I likened the story to Romeo and Juliette only with cancer instead of poison. I stick by my assessment. Mr. Green does well with his words, I had a hard time putting the book down (hence the fast read.) I only cried in two spots. Dinner in Amsterdam was just so beautiful, and the pre-funeral was brilliant.
In the end I was left with a churning mind and an after taste of sad. One thing really I liked about the storyis that it was not as selfish as the Make A Wish books. Humans are selfish beings, but Mr. Green manages to make Hazel, Gus and Isaac seem much less selfish than any of the protagonists in the Make A Wish books. Those teens seemed to use their wishes on more selfish things (I would too though.) I have a feeling that the writers may just not have used the right words or my limited understanding made it seem that way. Alas, that is what I think.
Again, I would not recommend this book if you read for enjoyment. The book is sad.
Kraves88 I have read the book. Reviewed the book and I feel that I got a short straw on it. I hope that you enjoy Ursula Le Guin‘s The Dispossesed. I would recommend anything by Ms. LeGuin any day to anyone. She has something for just about everyone.