The Fault In Our Stars: A Review

Young adult writer like John Green executes his books with humor, heart and life such as how he did with his novel The Fault In Our Stars.  This is not a story about surviving cancer or life itself but it’s how someone remembers you when you are gone. The plot may have ended tragic but the important message is a memory left that must not be forgotten. This is a sad love story like Romeo and Juliet minus the suicide of Juliet but adding cancer as the villain.

Hazel Lancaster being the narrator and the protagonist of this book starts her journey as a 16 year-old thyroid cancer patient. Depression is eating her up so her mom lets her join this support group for cancer kids where he meets 17 year old Augustus Waters who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma at a young age.  His right leg was amputated. The first time they’ve set their eyes on each other, there’s a spark. I know, this book is full of clichés but I love how the author turned them fresh and new since this is a teen love story. They got to know each other: Hazel loves to read and Augustus was an ex basketball player. Her favorite book in this planet is An Imperial Infliction but it wasn’t finished so she emails the author, Peter Van Houten asking how the story ended. No response from him but when it was Augustus turned to email him he responded but did not answer the question either since he also got interested with the book. He’s upset since it didn’t have an ending. 

He proves his love to Hazel by giving his wish to Hazel.  She wants to go to Amsterdam, find the author and finish the novel. They’ve get to experience a dinner and enjoy the sparkling scenery of the Amsterdam Canal and stayed on Hotel de Filosoof. But once they’ve met the author he’s alcoholic, rude and a nasty man. The trip was arranged by his secretary who’s kind and generous enough to fulfill their wish. They left the house of the author angry and frustrated. They went home with some unanswered questions. Some ugly events happened when they went flew back home. Augustus already knew that his end is coming near.  The cancer is spreading throughout his body and she sees him slowly deteriorating.
He died a week after he needed to hear the eulogies of his Hazel and his friend.  This book is a real tearjerker especially when she found out that Augustus wrote a eulogy for her and he needs Van Houten to edit it. The fault is really in their stars: they’re destined to meet but also destined to be apart from life. Death may have ended their love story but it left a legacy of optimism towards her and life.  And I deeply praise John Green for writing this book. It made me laugh and cried more but most importantly it made my mind and heart stimulate of things to ponder and choices to make.

Rate: 4.5/5 

A Random Poem

She knows that time can never be hers.
And time can never be his.
Distance approach as her tears starts to fall.
She sees the Knight behind her, not towards her.
Oh Knight! She wished of the Fairy Blue’s magic.
“Time be not an enemy, Fairy Blue please send your magic dust.
Send the Knight back to me.
I am falling back into my shadow. When you are lost in
my heart and forever just a dream.”
"If Death is the only answer
then Death I shall call" she said
"If its deathscythte will struck my heart
then forever he is me.. "
The Fairy Blue heard her but it's not her wish
she wants. She wants her to wake up from
the meander she made with the Knight.
She wants to stop the tears and the thoughts
of Death. The Fairy Blue sprinkled the magic
dust..

This poem was written on the 10th of January 2011. This was just suppose to be a connecting ideas with other poets from a social networking site. There is one line from a member then continued by others with their own thoughts. I separated mine and it made sense putting them together. And I don't have a title for it for now. Just sharing it. 

Isn't It Good Norwegian Wood?

Haruki Murakami’s Norwegian Wood is one depressive yet interestingly drawn book as you finish the last ten pages. The rainy days come with the sadness as the setting changes from the city of Tokyo to other parts of Japan’s provinces, mountains, meadow, seaside and other cities.

Suicide made the story eerily connected to each of the character. It’s a recurring event in the book. The first person perspective of once a teenage boy recalls how the complicated love she has for this girl she once knew but lost herself as the loss of their friend who killed himself changed everything on what has been on their relationships. They were once a trio but when death took one of them different relationships was created.

Toru isolated himself yet he went to college just like any normal boys. Naoko, wasn’t able to accept the death of Kizuki, who was once the love of her life. Toru loved Naoko from the beginning, even though he knows she will never return his love. Naoko decided to turn back from the outside world. She went to a sanitarium, where she tries to heal herself but she couldn’t. Toru promised to wait for her. He promised that she will not be forgotten and he could not forget her. Toru’s patience had led him to meet another girl from his school. Midori’s funny, liberated, optimistic, independent outlook in life made him addicted to her but not in a sexual way. They’ve grown to be comfortable with each other.

Naoko was slowly drowning into her own world. He never lose hope. They wrote each other letters about what they did that week. He visited her a few times as she and her quirky, musician roommate showed him to what they’ve embraced as their home.

He continued to see Midori when he went back home. From the very first time they’ve met she said that she really liked him. He likes her as well. He knows he’s falling in love with her but he will keep his promise until the end. Midori made her realize that she’s real, breathing girl in front of him.

One last letter came and it’s the suicide of Naoko. He was deeply crushed that he let himself travel around Japan and sleep anywhere and when he came back he’s ready to love the one girl who’s in front of him. Her name is Midori. Yet he’s still kept his memory of Naoko and thus this book was for her. She keeps insisting to never forget her because she knows that she will be forgotten after her death. She planned it after Kizuki’s death.

This is a story of an undying love, a longing for someone that is impossible to reach.