The Fault in our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars is a book I have been worried about reading. With experience as a cancer mom myself I wasn't sure I could handle reading a book about teen-age cancer patients. It is a topic I have steered away from in my reading for several years now. But I have been so tempted because of all the fabulous reviews that have made me feel like I would be missing out if I didn't give this book a chance. Ironically, Green is an author I always intend to read and I own his other books but have yet to read them. This title, the only one I don't own, is now the only one I have read.

Thankfully, I didn't find this book an emotional read for me. That's not to say that reading about two teenagers, Hazel and Augustus, is not a bit sad. Both of them are battling different types of cancer- Hazel a Stage IV thyroid cancer that has metastasized to her lungs, and Gus is in remission after losing part of his leg to osteosarcoma. They meet at a support group - the one place where other people totally "get it." And then they fall in love. But unlike other kids their age, their future seems limited with cancer being the one thing they know they can't get away from.

Green's writing is amazing and it makes me want to go and dig out his other books. I loved the witty and sharp dialogue. Not only was it good to read, I think it also took some of the trite-ness or cliche-ed-ness away from a story that could have been very sappy and predictable.

At first when I finished reading I wasn't sure if I loved this one as much as my friends who have been pretty much raving about it. But, as a bit of time has passed, I am aware of how these characters have stuck with me and how I am continuing to think of them again and again.