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| THE FAULT IN OUR STARS | JOHN GREEN | DUTTON (PENGUIN) | 2012 |
Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.
I finally gave in to the immense social pressure and read a John Green novel. I didn't like it (please don't hit me). I know that Green is practically worshipped in the YA community, and I certainly understand why, but The Fault In Our Stars was not for me.
The dialogue was a major barrier for my enjoyment. At first I was entertained by the dialogue because it reminded me of an episode of Dawson's Creek. Unfortunately, the thesaurus talk really didn't work as well on print as it did on the screen. Teenagers don't talk like that. Hell, adults don't talk like that.
I'm not sure I'm the right person to appreciate the novel's level of sentimentality. I'm not saying I don't have a heart, but my concept of love - especially in literature - is found in much more obscure places. I had a hard time feeling for the characters, which seems absurd since this book is filled with reasons to sympathize.
John Green is clearly talented. I haven't given up on him completely as I have another one of his books waiting on my to-be-read bookshelf (yes, an entire bookshelf, albeit a small one). However, don't let my negative rating put you off. If you haven't read The Fault In Our Stars yet, you really should. I can't think of another person who didn't love the book (I'm truthfully the odd one out) and the book is a cornerstone of change in the literary world, directing the industry into a new direction ("Young Adult" is the shit, in case you didn't know).
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“Books so special and rare and yours that advertising your affection feels like a betrayal.”
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