When people call YA trite, shallow and mediocre, I think I will hand them The Fault In Our Stars by John Green as it is one of the best young adult offerings. The Fault In Our Stars is filled with meaning, deeper themes and a sense of personal investment. As a reader, I was deeply invested in Hazel Grace’s story.
The Fault In Our Stars
Hazel’s story basically begins at cancer survivor group. She doesn’t want to go, but her mom makes her. Yet, Hazel’s life is changed by this one meeting. You see this meeting is where Augustus Waters shows up. Augustus Waters is super hot according to Hazel, but he’s more than just good looks. You see he does existential layups, likes video game based fiction and makes excellent conversation with Hazel. He calls her Hazel Grace. Hazel is scared to fall in love because she’s always seen her death on the horizon, so she doesn’t see the point in hurting someone like that.
Oh, friends – dynamic, well rounded, intelligent if not a big precocious characters are all up in The Fault In Our Stars by John Green. As a huge character/dialogue person, I greatly admired John Green’s latest book. Neither Hazel nor Augustus are perfect people, BUT they feel like real teens. Not like some adult’s vapid construction of a teen, but living and breathing people. I love that John Green infuses complications into his characters and gives them room to grow and change.
If you’ve read John Green before, you know what to expect with his writing. If not, well it’s like he’s having a love affair with the words on page. Seriously, John Green’s command of the English language is so strong that bits and pieces from The Fault In Our Stars will rattle in my brain and stay there. There is absolutely NO writing down to teens. He sets the bar pretty high, and I love that.
I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook of The Fault In Our Stars produced by Brilliance Audio narrated by Kate Rudd who I am used to (she narrated Tithe and Ironside). It’s 7 hours and 19 minutes unabridged with an interview with John Green at the end. Kate Rudd gives a dynamic performance – from Hazel’s shortness of breath to Augustus’s massive confidence/presence to the douchiness of Peter Van Houten. There are no awkward long pauses. No weird noises. The audiobook of The Fault In Our Stars by John Green knocks right into you as Rudd’s voice is so emotional and absolutely takes you on Hazel’s journey.
Disclosure: Audiobook received for review.
Other reviews of The Fault In Our Stars by John Green:
All About {N}
The Reading Date
YA Bibliophile
The Book Smugglers
The Reading Housewives Of Indiana
The Allure Of Books
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I also loved this book to pieces – yay for character-driven novels! It is definitely one of those books that sticks around in your brain and haunts you for a bit. Great review!
Yes, I don’t see The Fault In Our Stars leaving my brain for a very long time.
Thank you, Kat!
As I read The Fault in Our Stars I kept thinking that it was my favorite John Green book, I mean my favorite YA book, I mean one of my favorites books. I loved it. I cried throughout.
Anne, your comment is too wonderful. I love how you kept amending favorite. The Fault In Our Stars is definitely one of the best.
I love your review, and agree completely that this book is one of the best YA’s out there. The audio sounds wonderful too.
I listened to the John Green narrated audio with my daughter and that is also a good listen.
I may end up buying the John Green narrated audio because I quite like his reading voice. Good to hear that version is up to par.
Eeek! THAT good? I can’t wait to read it for myself! I still haven’t read a book by John Green, even though I own several of them. Hmm…which one to start with…lol.
I would start with Looking For Alaska, which is one of his best. Then The Fault In Our Stars and then his other books. 😀
I’ve never read a John Green book but after reading your review, I believe I will start with this one! I may even try it on audio. I like the idea of an author who writes teens that are believable as teens.
WHAT! What a tragedy, not having read John Green. I highly recommend trying him out soon!
I think I may be having a love affair with this book then when I get it.. I haven’t read anything by John Green yet. I have heard nothing but incredible things though. From what I gather it’s a tear jerker though. .
I remember seeing Ginger quote lines from the Alaska one on twitter back when she was reading it.. I think that ones John Green.. I could just open another tab and look, but it’s too early and I am lazy. 🙂 But anyway, the lines were beautiful, and I immediately went to goodreads and added it to my list.
Hope you have a great day! 🙂
Oh yes it IS a tear jerker.Yes, Looking For Alaska is John Green. His writing is absolutely beautiful, but deep and not purple, like it’s not fake or anything, you know what I mean?
I have not read anything by John Green, but while I was in Chicago last weekend B&N had signed copies of his book and I just couldn’t help but pick it up. I’m excited to read it!
A children’s lit professor once made a comment that really stuck with me. She said how she used to be embarrassed to read YA novels, but that after awhile she realized that they usually have the best prose and have the most meaningful themes – as well as MORE themes. I don’t think YA shallow or mediocre AT ALL!
PS: I keep meaning to say this. I’m a new(ish) reader and I just love how you link to other reviews!
Oh, thanks! I love linking to others because it spreads the love.
Also, your lit professor is awesome, and I love YA because it doesn’t get overinflated with self importance and does not feel bogged down or anything while trying to be profound.
I hope you LOVE The Fault In Our Stars.
This novel sounds so brilliant and beautiful – I’m really excited to read it!
It IS brilliant and beautiful. 🙂
I always have a hard time with emotionally charged books on tape. When they’re done well I love them, but it also usually means I don’t want to be listening to it when I’m like…trying to drive or jogging in public or something. I still haven’t read any John Green, but I LOVE when authors don’t write down to their readers, and I feel like I’m saving him for when I’m in the mood to FEEL ALL THE THINGS.
I’ve listen to some really emotional ones and it is SO hard when you are listening while driving. I know I’ve had to switch over to the radio at times.
I loved this book so much, so I had fun reading your review and seeing that you felt much the same way.
I really like Kate Rudd as a narrator, so I think this will be one I’ll get on audio and listen to again 🙂
I’m glad I’m not the only Kate Rudd fan! She is awesome.
I have only known about the existence of John Green for maybe two weeks. (Perhaps the greatest of all regrets.) The last three days I listened to the audiobook of Looking For Alaska. I haven’t heard anything negative about TFiOS, so I wanted to work my way up.
If TFiOS is his best, I made the right decision. His writing is magnificent and should be the standard in YA.
I read this book last weekend and can’t get it out of my head. It was incredible. I think it’ll stick with me for a long time.
“It’s like he’s having a love affair with the words on page” that made me click your twitter link! 🙂 I keep hearing amazing things about this book! I must read it! And hopefully soon!