"The Fault in Our Stars"

Nathania Carissa Vida Octaviani Simanjuntak (392020032)

March 8th, 2021

 Introduction

The Fault in Our Stars is a novel by John Green. The book was first published by Dutton Books on January 10th, 2012. The name of the illustrator is not listed in the book. However, because I don't have the original book, I only read it through the e-book. I read this book in the e-book. So, I have completed the 115 pages. I choose to read this e-book, because I've watched the movie and I liked it, so I choose to read this book. 

The Characters

Hazel Grace: Hazel Grace is a girl who has lung cancer. She is not at all an optimistic person and knows she will die soon because of her cancer and also knows very well that being famous and loved widely does not matter as much as being who she is and being loved deeply because oblivion is inevitable.

Augustus "Gus" Waters:  Augustus Waters is a 17-year-old boy who has cancer and had to have his leg cut off because of the kind of cancer he had. Gus is optimistic and wants to be known widely and have people remember him when he dies.

Isaac:  Isaac is 17 years old and goes to the same support group as Hazel because of his eye cancer. His eye cancer causes him to become blind but he is always there for Gus and Hazel as well as his girlfriend Monica. 

Peter Van Houten: Peter Van Houten is the writer of "An Imperial Affliction" (not a real book) which is Hazel and Augustus's favorite book and Peter Van Houten happens to be their favorite writer.

Patrick: The strange support group leader who has the meeting in the literal heart of Jesus at the church and had cancer.

Plot

Hazel Grace Lancaster, a 16-year-old with thyroid cancer that has spread to her lungs, attends a cancer patient support group at her mother's behest. At one meeting, Hazel meets a 17-year-old boy currently in remission named Augustus Waters, whose osteosarcoma caused him to lose his right leg. Augustus is at the meeting to support Isaac, his friend who has eye cancer. Hazel and Augustus strike a bond immediately and agree to read each other's favorite novels. Augustus gives Hazel The Price of Dawn, and Hazel recommends An Imperial Affliction, a novel about a cancer-stricken girl named Anna that parallels Hazel's own experience. After Augustus finishes reading her book, he is frustrated upon learning that the novel ends abruptly without a conclusion. Hazel explains the novel's author, Peter van Houten, retreated to Amsterdam following the novel's publication and has not been heard from since.

A week later, Augustus reveals to Hazel that he has tracked down Van Houten's assistant, Lidewij, and, through her, has managed to start an e-mail correspondence with Van Houten. The two write to Van Houten with questions regarding the novel's ending; he eventually replies, explaining that he can only answer Hazel's questions in person. At a picnic, Augustus surprises Hazel with tickets to Amsterdam to meet Van Houten, acquired through the story's version of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, "The Genies."

Upon meeting Van Houten, Hazel and Augustus are shocked to discover that he is a mean-spirited alcoholic. Horrified by Van Houten's hostile behavior towards the teenagers, Lidewij confesses to having arranged the meeting on his behalf. Lidewij resigns as Van Houten's assistant and takes Hazel and Augustus to the Anne Frank House, where Augustus and Hazel share their first kiss. Later that night Hazel and Augustus lose their virginity to one another in Augustus's hotel room, confessing their mutual love for each other.

The next day, Augustus reveals that his cancer has returned. Upon their return to Indianapolis, Augustus's health continues to deteriorate, resulting in him staying in the ICU for a few days. Fearing his death, Augustus invites Isaac and Hazel to his pre-funeral, where they give eulogies. Augustus dies soon after, leaving Hazel heartbroken. Van Houten shows up at Augustus's funeral to apologize to Hazel, but Hazel does not forgive him.

Hazel learns that Augustus had written an obituary for her, and reads it after Lidewij discovers it amidst Van Houten's letters. It states that getting hurt in this world is unavoidable, but we do get to choose whom we allow to hurt us, and that he is happy with his choice, and hopes she likes hers too. The book closes with Hazel stating that she is happy with her choice.

Conculsion

In my opinion, actually I prefer to watch the movie, but this actually an interesting and heart-warming novel to read with a sensitive topic like cancer in such an understated and subtle way. You feel it’s just one of life’s many problems and, even though it’s a very serious matter, Hazel and Gus teach you that you can’t let an illness like cancer affect your love for life.

The Fault in Our Stars is something that will give a good impression to everyone, but the most improtant is it makes you think about how valuable love is, how short a life can be, and how just one person can change your life in the most simple way.

So, i rate this novel: 8/10 :)