Hey everyone
This is an Allison review!
I had the privilege of attending the children’s author breakfast at BEA this year where John Green was one of the featured speakers but, I’ll admit that up to that point, I had no real idea who John Green was or what he wrote. I had heard his name and even had a signed copy of The Fault in Our Stars but, I had not yet read anything he had written, and so the children’s author breakfast was my first real introduction to him. To put it simply, I found him charming and witty, and absolutely loved his speech, and became really excited to read one of his books. Flash forward to a couple weeks later where I participating in my first “What’s Next Thursday?†where I had many of you help me decide what my next read should be and the response for The Fault In Our Stars was overwhelming, and now I can totally see why.
The Fault In Our Stars tells the story of sixteen year old Hazel, cancer patient and realist, and her relationship with Augustus Waters. From the moment they meet at a cancer support group, they immediately hit it off and proceed to change each others lives drastically. For Hazel being with Augustus is completely unexpected but she quickly finds that he is what she has needed for such a long time as he pushes her to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind.
As a reader, I was so invested in the story of Hazel and Augustus. It was so refreshing to read about dynamic characters that appeared to be well rounded and very intelligent. They felt so real to me! I loved their wit and their banter and the way that their relationship developed over the course of the book. Ultimately, I became so invested with these two characters as well as the supporting characters of their parents and their friend Issac that I was in tears through the last one hundred pages. I also laughed and smiled during those parts but, there were a lot of tears too.
I don’t regret any of the tears though. The emotions were just so real for me. I love when authors are able to do that — transcribe words onto a page that feel so real to you that you cannot help but react in a super emotional manner. Honestly, I was blown away by John Green’s word usage. It is so strong and there are so many quotable passages because of it. Passages that will stick with me for some time to come. For example:
“I’m in love with you, and I know that love is just a shout into the void, and that oblivion is inevitable, and that we’re all doomed and that there will come a day when all our labor has been returned to dust, and I know the sun will swallow the only earth we’ll ever have, and I am in love with you.†–Augustus Waters
I think that gif about covers it honestly. I loved The Fault In Our Stars and I am proudly jumping aboard the train of recommending it to anyone to hasn’t read it before, or like me had never been properly introduced to the fantastic writing of John Green.
Disclosure: Purchased copy.
In fact, I think I will start the recommending of John Green to all of you have right now. I have an extra copy of The Fault in Our Stars that I received at BEA and will be giving away to one lucky reader. This contest will be US only though! Sorry. Hopefully I’ll be able to do my next one international. Good luck!
Click on the link below to get to the Rafflecopter giveaway page!
The Fault In Our Stars Rafflecopter Giveaway!
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YES. I also just discovered this book, and it was my very first John Green, and yup, that gif pretty much sums it up. I actually just reviewed it yesterday! But I borrowed it from the library, so YAY giveaway! Great review!
I have been seeing this book everywhere, and I am definitely going to give in and read it. I stayed away from it, because I am still so scarred from The Probability of Miracles that I didn’t think I could handle another sad story. Your review has convinced me that this is a great book and that I should definitely read it. Thanks!
I absolutely adored tFiOS. Maybe not as much as other people, but it was absolutely amazing. Definitely near tears. And YES, he is as amazing writer. Every single page had something quoteable on it. I actually reviewed the book on my blog, and to prove it I opened up to a random page and picked out a quote. It’s like The Book Thief–it’s a treasure trove of beautiful prose. (In case you’re wondering: middle of page 116.) You’re welcome to check it out, if you want?
http://rivreads.blogspot.com/2012/07/fault-in-our-stars-review.html
Yup I’ve heard nothing but great things about this book. Haven’t read it yet but it’s on my list! Glad to find another person that loved it! Thanks for the review! 😀
By far one of the BEST books I’ve read this year. I just got a framed piece of art for my birthday of a quote from this book. Yup, I love it that much.
I love TFIOS. My favorite contemporary of all time, without a question.
I’m so glad you enjoyed TFIOS. I’ve been avoiding it because (a) I don’t want to read a book that’ll make me cry right now and (b) I’m trying to let the hype around it die down. But it really does sound like it’s going to be something I will end up completely LOVING.
Sounds like the kind of story that sticks with you long after reading! I love that quotation….Very nice review 🙂
I’m glad you had such a good time reading TFIOS.
I have been meaning to read it but I don’t know if I’ll like it – I have never really gotten into John’s books before though I have tried to read a couple of them in the past.
Still, I keep hearing so much about them that I know I’m going to give in at some point.
Thanks for your review 😉
So glad you loved this book! It was my first John Green book too, and I absolutely adored it!
And seriously, love that you used a gif from The Community!
A TFIOS review with a Community gif? This just reached new levels of awesome.
I hadn’t heard of him until this book was coming out. I’m really into the books that make you feel these days. A good friend of mine bought this and mailed it to me for my birthday. I think it’s time I take it off the shelf and dust it off.
great review! and that passage you posted. *sigh* 🙂
I am a John Green nerd. A grown, adult nerdfighter. I love him so much. Honestly, though, TFiOS is my least favorite of his books, although it is brilliant. I’m a HUGE Will Grayson, Will Grayson fan. Also I love Paper Towns like WOWOWOWOWOW. So great of you to share your extra copy with everyone! I hope you read more John Green and love his characters and witty writing. He really is so great.