The Fault in our Stars

    Post the release of its film, people have been talking a lot about John Green’s ‘The fault in our Stars’. To be fair, it has been famous since the book was released and there is no stopping it’s fans raving about the book. And one such fan put it in my hands.
Being forced to attend the support group, feels like torture to Hazel Grace Lancaster until the day she meets Augustus Waters who has come to support their mutual friend Isaac. Inviting Hazel for a movie, Augustus and Hazel become instant friends, and something more. Hazel and Augustus exchange their favourite books. And soon even Augustus agrees that Hazels favourite book ‘An Imperial Affliction’ is the best that they have come across. And though they have a lot of questions about the book, they cannot be answered as the author Peter Van Houten has become a recluse after the publishing and no one knows where he is. After this conversation, Augustus miraculously finds the author through his secretary, and using his cancer wish, arranges a trip for him and Hazel to meet the author. What follows is a beautiful date, disastrous meeting and life changing revelations.
Though people swear that some of the parts were funny, I couldn’t find them. A lot of life philosophies are spouted in the book by the protégés, but even though they are dying, they are still teenagers and it feels odd imagining them say such things. ‘The marks humans leave are too often scars.’ Okay…who says that…and what’s with Augustus’s way of living life in a metaphor…?? Some of the obsessions are insanely weird, like the swings and breakfast. As for their cute love story, feels like just another ‘beautiful, tragic love affair’. I won’t stop you from reading this book, but if it doesn’t live up to your expectations then don’t say that you weren’t warned.