Genre #6(Michael Printz YA)

THE FAULT IN OUR STARS

Bibliography:

Green, John. The Fault in our Stars. New York: Dutton Books, 2012. ISBN: 978-0525478812

Plot Summary:

THE FAULT IN OUR STARS follows the life of Hazel Grace Lancaster a stage four cancer survivor. While she is not currently receiving chemo treatment in the book, she does lug around an oxygen machine to help her "crappy lungs" breathe. Not only is Hazel battling cancer she is also clinically depressed, and because of this her mother and doctors send her to a support group in the "Literal Heart of Jesus." It is during this support group that Hazel Grace meets the two supporting roles, Isaac and Augustus Waters both of which have their own battle with cancer. It is through these support group meetings that Augustus and Hazel make a love connection; they bond over their struggles, their love of sarcasm, and eventually a book titled An Imperial Affliction. Throughout the novel we follow this young love and their existence with cancer. 

Critical Analysis: 

John Green carefully and eloquently creates, without missing a beat, a sarcastic, witty, and an independent thinker. Because Hazel Grace is no longer enrolled in school she doesn't connect with the typical teenage girls. Hazel spends most of the novel concerned that once she passes she will be a grenade in lives of others. Throughout the novel this thought haunts Hazel and motivates her to find answers to life's biggest questions. Opposite of Hazel Grace is Augustus 'Gus' Waters; Gus is a charismatic, charming, and sensitive young adult. He whisk Hazel off her feet and becomes her "wish granting machine." Green creates two characters that grow and change throughout the course of the novel. They learn from each other and teach others the importance of living. Together their banter is delightful, nostalgic of a first true love, and an integral component of, not only to the character development, but to the plot and theme of the story.  

While Green stresses that the plot of the story is one that is fictional the reader wants to believe all of the plots scenarios, starting with the treatment courses for Hazel and Gus. Then moving into the wish granting that cancer patients receive, and finally the fake funeral. All of these plot events are written for the whimsical teenage audience. Yet they are not unbelieveable. The events are fresh and idealistic, but not cliche or stereotypical. 

Most of the novel takes place in the cloudy Indianapolis that is described as plain and typical. Hazel spends most of her time indoors due to the fact that she is sick and cannot exert to much physical activity, but also because it reflects Hazel's sense of claustrophobia with her disease. The setting of the novel is descriptive, yet it is applicable to many readers personal experience. 

THE FAULT IN OUR STARS (TFIOS) has a plethora of themes therefore each reader can truly make the novel their own. A few of the most prevalent themes are the support of family, search of identity, and the coming of age through love and death. TFIOS most treasured theme is the support and honesty of Hazel's family. Her mother clearly loves and takes care of her, and both Hazel and Gus's family hover overs their every move. While they both find this quality terribly annoying, as any typical teen would, she also understands that being a kids with cancer is just as difficult as being a parent with a kids whom has cancer. The novel teaches us what it must be like for a family with a cancer patient and how truly important it is to be honest and supportive of all members. In addition, Hazel's classic search for a sense of identity is wrapped in portions of the plot. Like any other teenager she wants to find her place in this world and the meaning to her seemingly short life. She ultimately finds that everyone is placed on this earth for the purpose of "scarring" others. At first these sense of identity isn't enough for Hazel Grace, but through the plots twist and turns it becomes more than should could have imagined. Finally, the obvious themes of love and death is the novels cornerstone. TFIOS takes these classic young adult themes and gives them a twist of dark humor. Throughout the novel we know that Hazel and Gus are made for each through their honest, sweet, and innocent love for each other. They are compassionate, considerate, and thoughtful towards each other and it becomes a classic example of true love. As mentioned, there are plenty of themes that any reader could explore after reading TFIOS which makes John Green's novel a classic contemporary young adult novel. 

Reading TFIOS through Hazel's point of view makes for a conversational, cheeky-chic type of writing. She is aware of cliches and mocks their existence, but also recognizes that they're existence is necessary for others to receive comfort. Readers find her sense of humor and relaxed sense of tone comforting and raw. In addition, her internal battles and external conversations with all characters is even tempered and witty. John Green has created a timeless novel through the style and narration. 

Finally Green's gender and culture aspect of a young adult novel is spot on. He doesn't drain the reader with "important cultural conundrums" or try and remind readers of a younger time in life. He keeps the gender bias to zero, and insist on creating a strong female lead that is genuine and a role model of intelligence, strength, and love. 

Review Excerpts 

TIME Magazine’s #1 Fiction Book of the year!

#1 New York Times Bestseller
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
#1 USA Today Bestseller
#1 International Bestseller
#1 Indie Bestseller

Michael Printz YA award

“Damn near genius . . . The Fault in Our Stars is a love story, one of the most genuine and moving ones in recent American fiction, but it’s also an existential tragedy of tremendous intelligence and courage and sadness.” —TIME Magazine

“This is a book that breaks your heart—not by wearing it down, but by making it bigger until it bursts.”
—The Atlantic

“A story about two incandescent kids who will live a long time in the minds of the readers who come to know them.”
—People

“Funny . . . Poignant . . . Luminous.”
—Entertainment Weekly

“Remarkable . . . A pitch-perfect, elegiac comedy.”
—USA Today

Connections

Other John Green Books-

Looking for Alaska- 2006 Michael L. Printz Award

The Abundance of Katherines- 2007 Michael L. Printz Honor book and a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize.

Paper Towns- 2009 Edgar Award for Best Young Adult Mystery. 

Will Grayson Will Grayson