Considered to be one of the best young adult novels of our time, “The Fault In Our Stars” takes readers into a life most have never and, after reading, will not want to experience. This story is by John Green, who also wrote “Looking For Alaska.” The life depicted is none other than the gruesome, yet heartbreaking one of a cancer patient, Hazel, as she attempts to live a normal teenage life whilst struggling with the neverending battle with cancer. As she becomes depressed living a two-dimensional life, her mother suggests she attend a support group for other teenage cancer patients, past and present. After attending a few meetings, she happens to come across Augustus “Gus” Waters, who has lost his right leg and is in recovery after having osteosarcoma. Before reading this novel, this is the only information any potential reader should have as it saves them from ruining or spoiling any of the various twists and turns this novel presents.
Being considered one of the best young adult novels of out time is not simply rumor. In fact, “The Fault In Our Stars” recently made its way to the final round of Entertainment Weekly’s “Best YA novel of all time.” Though it came in second place behind the “Harry Potter” series, it won against other outstanding pieces of literature such as “The Hunger Games,” “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” and the “Divergent” trilogy. With this novel coming out fairly recently—January 2012 to be exact—it’s quite an accomplishment.
Normally, with novels that have such high approval ratings as this one did, someone has to dislike it. Yet, with all of the anticipation and praise surrounding “The Fault In Our Stars,” managed to live up to the hype and expectation. The writing style made it seem as if a 17-year-old year old cancer patient was actually speaking out of the ink printed upon the pages. It delivered just the right amount of moments, which causes the book to be viewed as both inspirational and heartbreaking.
The movie adaptation, starring Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort and Nat Wolff, will be released on June 6, 2014. There will be more and more hype built around this 300-page novel that has rightfully become a sensation. Read the book first. You may save yourself a few tears as you walk out of the theater next summer, because this book is considered to be quite the tear-jerker. So yes, you will need tissues while reading this book. Reading the book before seeing the film is a rule with all quality books, but if it isn’t something you live by, read it first simply because it’s an “as-soon-as-possible” read.