Author: John Green
Series: Standalone
Publisher: Dutton Books
Genre: YA Contemporary
Format: Hardcover, 318 pages
Release Date: January 10, 2012
Source: Personal Library, Bought
Rating: 5 Stars
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Synopsis
from Goodreads:
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.
My
Review:
I just finished reading and my eyes are still
leaking. I knew that this would happen when I started this book. I knew it was
going to be sad. What I didn’t know was how angry it was going to make me. How
it would shatter my heart. How it would make me think.
This story of two teens fighting hopelessly for
their lives, knowing that they are going to die moved me in a way that I can
honestly say no book has before. Hazel and Gus were the definition of
star-crossed lovers. At first I wasn’t sure about their relationship. It moved
pretty fast, but then as I thought more about it, I realized that everything
moves faster when you’re dying. When you have a deadline. When the clock is
running out. And I grew to love and believe in their relationship.
Hazel was so intelligent, funny, and different. Her
character was a breath of fresh air in the YA genre. And Augustus was the same
way. Both of these kids are going through a horrendous thing. I can’t even
imagine getting a terminal diagnosis like Hazel. Living with that every day
would be the most painful thing in the world. Knowing that you are inevitably
going to hurt your loved ones by dying, something completely out of your
control. Hazel knows all these things and she keeps going and keeps a somewhat
positive look on life. No, she’s not positive all the time. But Hazel is
realistic and that was what I loved about her.
Augustus was the sweetest, most caring boy I’ve ever
met in a book. He put the needs of others before his own time and time again
and I fell in love with every part of him. Augustus took a piece of my heart.
It is now and forever tucked into this book.
And now I will tell you why this book made me angry.
The injustice of it. Cancer. How unfair is it that kids have to have this
horrible disease, that they have to die from it, that they can’t live their
lives? That they have to lose the ones they love. That they have to worry about
their parents staying together after they die. It’s so unfair. And it breaks my
heart to think about it. I am crying all over again now.
I can’t say any more about this book except that I
loved it. It was perfect in every way. Insightful. Real. Heartbreaking.
Beautiful. I only regret not reading this sooner and I look forward to
rereading this one time and time again.
Have you read this book? You probably have since everybody in the world has. What did you think? Did it make you ugly cry too?
I'm so glad you finally read this book. I put off reading it so many times because I knew it's not only a tear jerker, but a true flood gate opener! Anyway after my 11 year old read it and raved, I grabbed my economy size box of tissues and just went for it. It was such an emotional train wreck, but I loved it. And as a parent I think it was even tougher to read. Don't have my copy right in front of me, but one of the most meaningful (at least for me) lines goes something like...The only thing worse than being a kid with cancer is being a parent of a kid with cancer. Wow.
ReplyDeleteYes the story is a real bummer, but the book is incredible. Loved it; tears and all! -Dana
Yes, I can't even imagine having to watch your child go through something so horrific. It breaks my heart and also makes my blood boil. It's so unfair that this has to happen to anyone, let alone children.
DeleteThis book was heartbreaking. You know it's not going to end well, you think you're prepared, but then…yeah, tears. Just watching the trailer of the movie makes me cry! ~Pam
ReplyDeleteOmg, I watched the trailer before I read the book and did not feel emotional. But then I watched the trailer AFTER I read the book and started sobbing all over again. I am going to need to bring an entire box of tissues to the theater with me. And wear waterproof mascara.
DeleteYeah! So glad you enjoyed this one as much as you did Rebecca! <3 I agree...it's such a wonderful novel. The characters and the romance are just perfect, and the writing is brilliant! Gah...and that ending! I'm tearing up just thinking about it! Really excited for the movie though!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing, and, as always, brilliant review! <3
~ Zoe @ The Infinite To-Read Shelf
Yes, I so hope that the movie does it justice. Because it is such a powerful story. Thanks so much! :)
DeleteI listened to the audiobook version of this last weekend in the car on the way to my sister's wedding. I kept having to pause it to breathe so that I didn't start outright sobbing. I was a hot mess. This book hurt my heart so much! I'm bringing tissues to the movie. I expect a lot of ugly crying is going to happen!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, much ugly crying will be happening. This book destroyed me. It was so good though. I seriously want to reread it right now.
DeleteI read this book before I started blogging and am so happy I didn't have to write a review. I don't think I could ever do this book justice...ever. It is beautiful and poignant and hurtful and YES to the injustice of it all. I have more sad stories from the hospital than most people should even encounter...but I deal with adults. It gave me such a different perspective thinking about teenagers JUST on the cusp of life and knowing what could await them and then have it ripped away by disease. It's horrible and unfair and it hurts...and it demands to be felt...*sigh*
ReplyDeleteYes to all of this. It's just so sad. I can't even imagine having your whole life in front of you only to have it be taken away by some horrible disease. This world is so messed up sometimes. :(
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