A while ago I read The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, which I am sure is extremely hyped up now since the movie is about to be released soon (not so soon for certain countries). Total reading time: 318 pages in 3 hours. I challenged myself to finish it on the day that I got (actually borrowed) the book, and challenge completed!
Okay, first off I am not a professional book reviewer or whatnot (if that's an actual thing), so I'm just gonna wing it, 靠FEEL.
Okay, first off I am not a professional book reviewer or whatnot (if that's an actual thing), so I'm just gonna wing it, 靠FEEL.
The Fault in Our Stars has been a pretty trending book in my online timeline, and also it has been sitting in my to-read list for quite awhile. The book cover claims that it's a #1 New York Times Bestseller, #1 Indie Bestseller, #1 Wallstreet Journal Bestseller and Time called it "genius". And well, the first two pages of the book is all about the raving reviews and praises. But hey, the publisher wouldn't print the critics onto their own books right, like 'This book actually sucks - The New York Times'. And well, to put simply of what I think:
Some books just don't live up to their hype.
*giant spoilers ahead*
But if you're too lazy to read the book, and also the plot on Wikipedia, I'll summarise it for you:
TERMINAL CANCER COUPLE. *cue exploding tears*
Okay, not the best summary but well that's pretty much the main point. *HUGE SPOILER* I'm guessing the big twist in this book should be that readers would expect Hazel (main character) to die since she's practically living off a portable oxygen tank, but then boom, Augustus (her seemingly free-from-cancer bf) dies dramatically.
Wow I realised that just proves main characters don't die.
Wow I realised that just proves main characters don't die.
I saw the book in a bookstore, picked it up, and perhaps something about the mysterious life or death situation in the blurb made it interesting, like oh no is she gonna fall in love and die or fall in love and not die?
If I had to pick words to describe the book, I'd call it sappy and juvenile, with a bit of whine. But then they're teenagers, so that's pretty much how I was being a teenager too, sappy, juvenile and pretty whiny. The book was well written for sure, with all the sentimental quotes and artsy choice of words, but I didn't particularly like it, kinda like art. You see this artwork and you think omg it's so pretty, but it doesn't make sense. Haha.
It didn't stand out to me, plot wise and anywhere wise. It's a story about two star crossed lovers with cancer, doomed to die sooner or later, and sort of like teaming up and creating their own bubble where they can go against all odds together and try to beat this thing. But that's just it. There's no deep meaning, or any life lesson that they learn along the way, just lots and lots of tear bait to try and make you cry your eyes out. Imho, the characters don't really evolve in the story, they just pretty much stay the same, or probably even devolve lolwtf. I don't know if you get it, but get it? And it kinda sorta very irritates me that both Hazel and Augustus are insanely head over heels for the book 'An Imperial Affliction', oh and also over each other but yea that was expected lol. Idk, it feels like a fanfiction for 'An Imperial Affliction' lol, and wtf they can quote the whole book by memory? What gives, no teenager does that I can guarantee it, and no teen speaks in philosophical terms either, they're seventeen not seventy.
Oh, and Hazel, oh no, so much whine, so so very whiny and self centered, BEH TAHAN. I know you've got terminal cancer but it kinda helps if you don't throw a tantrum even after your bf sponsors you and your mother to go all the way to Amsterdam to meet your favourite author in the world, who unfortunately turns out to be a jerk. But it's Amsterdam, do you know how much that costs?? (Her bf was eligible for a wish, any logical wish, from a cancer foundation and he used it on her) Walao, can say thank you at least??
Another point on Augustus, her bf, what the hell is wrong with him that he has to pretend to smoke cigarettes and say it's a metaphor. I mean he just takes a cigarette, then puts it to his mouth and not light it, BUT WHY?? It's not funny but Hazel thinks it is, urg love. Do you know how much cigarettes cost dude, it's not cool bro. Save some money your parents are paying for chemo already.
It didn't stand out to me, plot wise and anywhere wise. It's a story about two star crossed lovers with cancer, doomed to die sooner or later, and sort of like teaming up and creating their own bubble where they can go against all odds together and try to beat this thing. But that's just it. There's no deep meaning, or any life lesson that they learn along the way, just lots and lots of tear bait to try and make you cry your eyes out. Imho, the characters don't really evolve in the story, they just pretty much stay the same, or probably even devolve lolwtf. I don't know if you get it, but get it? And it kinda sorta very irritates me that both Hazel and Augustus are insanely head over heels for the book 'An Imperial Affliction', oh and also over each other but yea that was expected lol. Idk, it feels like a fanfiction for 'An Imperial Affliction' lol, and wtf they can quote the whole book by memory? What gives, no teenager does that I can guarantee it, and no teen speaks in philosophical terms either, they're seventeen not seventy.
Oh, and Hazel, oh no, so much whine, so so very whiny and self centered, BEH TAHAN. I know you've got terminal cancer but it kinda helps if you don't throw a tantrum even after your bf sponsors you and your mother to go all the way to Amsterdam to meet your favourite author in the world, who unfortunately turns out to be a jerk. But it's Amsterdam, do you know how much that costs?? (Her bf was eligible for a wish, any logical wish, from a cancer foundation and he used it on her) Walao, can say thank you at least??
Another point on Augustus, her bf, what the hell is wrong with him that he has to pretend to smoke cigarettes and say it's a metaphor. I mean he just takes a cigarette, then puts it to his mouth and not light it, BUT WHY?? It's not funny but Hazel thinks it is, urg love. Do you know how much cigarettes cost dude, it's not cool bro. Save some money your parents are paying for chemo already.
Sure this book still has its merits, for one it's pretty attention grabbing, though that might have been a publicity stunt. It would surely appeal to the teen audience since well, it's got a ton of those quotes that end up trending tumblr. You know, those words typed in Helvetica onto an artsy unrelated photo of probably the sky, or the ocean, or heck even some girl's Converse shoes in black and white. For example:
“As he read, I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.”
Or
“Some infinities are bigger than other infinities.”
Or
“My thoughts are stars I cannot fathom into constellations.”
 |
| SEE?? Example given. Quote with swings, what. I tell you tumblr is full of these. |
Oh no, must stop. I cannot take it anymore, this is just one of those rare books that I hate with passion. A friend asked me how do I hate something with passion? Well, enough to write this post.
I heard they're making a movie too. Just let me say this, books are always better than movies, and well this book is not the best. Geddit? Haha okay la, if you wanna read it I won't stop you since you'd probably like it or idk. But one thing I realised is that books can be well written, but just, not very appealing.
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