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 

Thinking Less But Still Thinking More

We think about a lot of stuff. We think about ourselves. We think about others. We think about pencils, papers, dogs, flowers, cars, clouds, books, water, kids and everything that randomly comes inside our minds. We are thinking people. What we do is think everyday though sometimes we unconsciously don't want to think. Thinking is part of being a human being. There is no such thing as a dull person. They still think only in a different way. They think they are not thinking yet eventually they are. We can never tell what a person is thinking just about right now. There are billions and maybe more than a billion of thoughts streaming at the same time with different people. It's fun to think, you get to know your inner self. You get to know your neighbors. You get to know your neighbor's dog or you get to know your neighbor's dog and its fleas. We never fail to amuse our selves.

Let's smile and learn about how we are able to connect with other people. Maybe that is through ones mind or just opening ones mind to whatever possibilities this home of ours has to offer. Never underestimate other people, they may have skills that you don't have. They may have a talent that's just waiting to be discovered. We are humans. We all commit mistakes. Don't be afraid to commit mistakes because you will realize then that it was better to commit it than hide and never show your face.

Let us accept each others mistakes. We learned, we are learning and will always be learning. Let's think of something that we are able to do not what we cannot do. Cheer up and let's all get along together.