The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Bibliographic Information:
Print:
Green, John. 2012. The fault in our stars. New York: Dutton Books.
Spoken Recording:
Green, John. 2012. The fault in our stars. Read by Kate Rudd. Grand Haven, MI: Brilliance Audio.

Plot summary:

Sixteen-year-old Hazel Lancaster has known since her diagnosis of thyroid cancer three years ago that all the prodding, poking, medicines and treatments are only able to buy her a bit more time.  There is no cure for her.  As a result, she seeks to maintain a distance from most people in her life.  Her closest friends besides her parents are books, but when she meets Augustus Waters at a teen cancer support group, the two are immediately drawn to each other.  Gus, who is in remission from the bone cancer that took one of his legs, understands Hazel and seems to be able to look beyond her illness to see her as she is.  Bonding over Hazel’s favorite novel, Gus and Hazel make contact with the book’s reclusive author which leads to a European adventure before tragedy strikes. 

Analysis:

Green draws upon his personal experiences as a hospital chaplain to paint a frank and emotional portrait of young cancer patients living under a death sentence.  The characters of Hazel, Gus, and their friend Isaac provide another perspective to the bravery-and-battle mentality that is so often used to describe the terminally ill in fiction as well real life.  The authentic portrayal of teenagers who are sometimes scared, sometimes hopeless, and often struggling with so many of the big questions and identity issues that all teens face while also being forced to come to terms with their own mortality creates a powerful story that will challenge both teen and adult readers.  The adults in the novel are also realistically drawn as well-meaning, earnest supporters who unintentionally make things worse as often as they make them better. 

Most of the story is set in Indianapolis with a portion taking place in Amsterdam.  Whether describing the local haunts that Hazel and Gus visit or the more exotic sights and sounds of the Netherlands, Green’s descriptions are vivid, placing the reader into the story effectively.

The humor, honesty and sometimes gritty realism of the treatment of a sensitive topic is what makes this book so powerful.  In the audio version, Kate Rudd’s vocal talents bring the characters, especially Hazel, to life.  The breathless emotion of the dialogue is a continuous reminder of the struggle for oxygen that is Hazel’s constant companion. Augustus and Hazel’s banter is handled deftly in the audio version with enough distinction in the character voices to highlight when the speaker shifts but is not overdone or heavily dramatic.

Reviews & Awards:

 New York Times bestseller & NYT Book Review Editor's Choice

Starred review, Booklist:  “ . . . his [Green’s] best and most ambitious novel to date . . . a triumph.”

Kirkus Reviews, starred review:  “A smartly crafted intellectual explosion of a romance.” 

School Library Journal, starred review:  “An achingly beautiful story.”

Connections:

• Share John Green’s author interview that is included in the audio version of the book or have students explore Green’s website for further insight and discussion of the novel including a section in which Green answers reader questions about the book (http://johngreenbooks.com/questions-about-the-fault-in-our-stars-spoilers/).
• Ask the students to write letters or email for a favorite author as Gus and Hazel did and encourage them to share any responses that they may get.
• Ask students to think about their own funeral or write their own obituary.
• Other books by John Green

Looking for Alaska (2005)
An Abundance of Katherines  (2006)
Paper Towns (2008)
Will Grayson, Will Grayson (2010, with David Levithan)