The Fault in Our Stars - by John Green

Let me start this off by saying: if you are reading something, anything, right now, it should not be this post; it should be The Fault in Our Stars. Too often is the modern bookworm insulted by cliché stories (I mean, how many times does Juliet need to fall in love with Romeo before we get the picture?). I am delighted to tell you that I have found the remedy. The Fault in Our Stars is like breathing fresh air after sitting in a stuffy movie theater in which you watched yet another poorly made chick flick where the nerdy girl takes off her glasses and is suddenly hot. (I mean, seriously?) Anyway, in thirty years, this book will be a classic. I'm willing to bet money. Real American dollars, people. Any takers? Please click "read more" for the full review.



I'm tentative to even write you a synopsis, because the best way to read this book is to go into it blind. My advice? Have no assumptions or predictions; simply let yourself slip vicariously into the lives of the characters. But, I'll tell you a few things so you, dear reader, know what you're getting yourself into. Firstly, there is cancer in the book. It is a ugly, vicious, brutal cancer. And young people have it. But this is no Nicholas Sparks we're dealing with. No one is Walk-to-Remember-ing. Secondly, there is love in the book. But it is not assuming or implausible, or annoying, like romance in books so often is. It is true, and silly, and lovely. John Green writes like an artist, and at the same time like a friend. There is nothing pretentious or imposing about his narrative. He trusts the reader to illuminate the little inky lines on the page, and the reader trusts him to tell his story in a way that is honest and undisguised. John Green holds up his end of the bargain.


I could not recommend The Fault in Our Stars any higher. One addendum I must add however: upon reviewing Mr. Green's website, I saw that the movie rights have been sold to Fox 2000. Please, please, my literary friends, read the book before seeing the movie. I don't ask that you boycott the movie, but you will be doing your imagination a great disservice by tainting your first reading (and trust me, there will be several) with someone else's ideas.