Book Review : The fault in Our Stars – John Green

Posted on February 7, 2020 by Ruchi

“The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, / But in ourselves, that we are underlings.”Have you ever realized how lucky you are just because you are alive?Have you ever thought what it feels to know that you have cancer, and your days are numbered? What if this cancer survivor is a child? A teenager who can no longer go to school! Not have a girl friend or boy friend ! Not savour that first kiss! May be die a virgin! A child who cannot run around and play like others of his age! The business of living, as we say which is cherished yet we mortals fail to realize.The other day I was searching Kindle for my next goodread, and I found this list of 100 books which you should read. Among that list was this beautiful story of Hazel Green, who was diagnosed cancer even before she could begin school. She has a Thyroid cancer which has already spread to her lungs. Somehow she’s enrolled in a clinical trial for a new drug, which keeps prolonging her life. Her lungs can’t breathe and get filled with water every now and then so she moves everywhere with an oxygen cylinder.At a cancer survivor group meet, she meets another of her kind Augustus, and though she tries hard but can’t help falling in love with him. Together, they travel to Amsterdam to meet an author who has written their favorite book. The book ends abruptly leaving them wondering. They do not find answers from the author, but together they create beautiful memories.As Hazel says,” You gave me a forever, within the numbered days.”On return Augustus health worsens, and he dies. With his death, Hazel discovers the answers she had been seeking.The author has dealt with such a sensitive topic in a humorous style. The book is a roller coaster of emotions.You fall in love with Hazel and Augustus.”I fell in love, the way you feel asleep slowly and all at once.”Augustus doesn’t want to die without leaving a mark in the universe. Hazel reminds him that he has left a mark on her.Hazel worries about her parents especially her mother. Her mother has been hovering over her, right from the time she was diagnosed. She worries they both will be broke and will stop living after she dies. Isn’t that true, that most of the divorces occur within one year of a child’s death.“My thoughts are stars, I can’t fathom into constellations.”“That’s the thing about pain, It demands to be felt.”The book leaves you thinking, and yet makes you realize that we should be grateful for the life we have. Not everyone is able to reach even till here.“That’s what I believe, the universe wants to be noticed. I think the universe is improbably biased towards consciousness, that it rewards intelligence in part because the universe enjoys its elegance being observed.”Must Read !!!My Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐