A major theme of TFiOS is that love is bigger than any struggle. "He
nodded. “So I went in for a pet scan." He stopped. He yanked the cigarette
out of his mouth and clenched his teeth. Much of my life had been devoted to
trying not to cry in front of people who loved me, so I knew what Augustus was
doing." (213) (Green) This is right before Gus told Hazel that his cancer was back. Cancer is one of the main struggles in TFiOs, and Augustus' grenade was detonating. He was going to try to fight the cancer but he knew already that his life was coming to an end. The cancer had spread all throughout his body, and he knew that he couldn't win like he did with his osteosarcoma. Augustus had spent the whole relationship being strong for Hazel during her lung draining, and pneumonia scare and everything else that she had been through. Then, when the tables were turned back on him, it was really difficult for him to know how and when to tell Hazel. I think he waited until they got to Amsterdam because he knew Hazel would insist they didn't go so that he could start treatment. It was one of their last good memories together until the 'Last Good Day' in the Literal Heart of Jesus. Even after (spoiler alert) Augustus' funeral, Hazel still loves him, and she always will. If love can conquer death, it can conquer anything.
Article:
On paper, The Fault In Our Stars should have been the most gut-wrenching and depressing book in the YA canon: Two teens, Hazel Grace Lancaster and Augustus Waters, meet in a cancer support group and, despite Hazel knowing she only has a little bit of time left, manage to fall for each other in a spirited, fully engrossing love story. The book is sad, yes, but it’s a triumph of author John Green’s plot, heightened teen-speak dialogue, and humorous moments that manage to make the tale a phenomenon (a movie version, starring Shailene Woodley, hits theaters next June), as opposed to a high school reading list tale that many will take great pains to avoid.
It’s no wonder that, like Hazel’s favorite story An Imperial Affliction, once you read the story it stays with you. It’s not enough to enjoy in silence; many readers are discovering that they’ve also got to get all their friends on board as well.
There wasn’t much surprise among the EW staff that the recent hit made it far. But going back over the pages, it’s easy to see that this story, while popular, isn’t just a flavor of the week; it’s enduring. There are so many standout scenes in the 318-paged tale. America’s Next Top Model-loving Hazel, with her awkward teen vulnerability got readers on her side, while Augustus and his witty bravado makes both teens and their moms swoon. The duo’s Genies-sponsored trip to Amsterdam, which includes champagne! and reclusive author Peter Van Houten! and Anne Frank’s house! and happiness! and devastation! is unforgettable.
To say more would spoil what is truly a literary treat best discovered for yourself. But ultimately, Fault In Our Stars is greater than the sum of its parts. The story between two teens elevates into teaching us about one of the very best and most confusing parts of the human condition — the power of love.
Okay? Okay.
TFIOS article
This article tells a brief summary of TFiOS & would really persuade someone to read it. I completely agree with everything that it says in the beginning, it sounds like a horrible story, but John Green turns it into an amazing adventure.
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