Baxlala’s #CBR4 Review #13: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Reading The Fault in Our Stars was like entering some kind of fugue state. I became so engrossed in the characters, it was kind of like watching a movie, but a really good movie, starring people I actually knew and loved. When I finished the book, I looked down and was surprised to find the sofa was covered in tissues because DEAR GOD, THE CRYING.
I mean, it wasn’t like I was unprepared. I read the book because Ashley (narfna) told me to, and when Ashley tells you to read a book, you do it. You just do. And she said I’d cry. I was warned. I picked up both Ready Player One and The Fault in Our Stars on her recommendation and they both blew my mind into itty bitty pieces. The only complaint I have is that I wish I’d read The Fault in Our Stars before Ready Player One because I needed something light and fun to read afterward. Because DEAR GOD, THE CRYING. This was me, during 50% of this book:
That last one, especially.
The Fault in Our Stars is about two teenagers, Hazel and Augustus, who meet in a support group for kids with cancer. OH WON’T THIS BE A LIGHTHEARTED ROMP? Well, it sort of is, for a while. Hazel and Gus are delightful, really, witty and charming and I wish I’d been friends with them when I was a teenager. Hell, even now. It’s interesting, I just finished reading The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, which was great, but this felt so much more real to me. Maybe, I don’t know, because there were no magical pants? IT’S A MYSTERY.
This is no joke, I went into work the day after I finished reading The Fault in Our Stars and as soon as my boss saw me, she said, “Oh my god, sit down! What happened, have you been crying?” And I had to explain that, yes, I had been crying but nothing was wrong, not really, just that MY HEART WAS STOMPED ON BY A MEAN BOOK. I don’t think she really understood how a book made me cry so hard because, you guys, there are two kinds of people in this world: those that cry so hard reading sad books that their eyes fall out and…people I don’t understand.
Anyway, I guess I could have felt ashamed or something because I came into work looking like someone died, but I’m not. I defy you to read this book without weeping. Do you hear that? I DEFY YOU.
I think you missed a couple:
ASHLEY WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS TO ME I’M ALREADY UPSET.
Oh, wait:
STOP IT!
Hee.
Heh this is my favorite book review ever, when I got to Ted I started cracking up. I really want to read this book but I also REALLY hate crying. It’s a conundrum. Have you read The Book Thief? It’s equally amazing and guaranteed to make you cry.
I totally understand. I had to take a couple of breaks because I seriously thought my eyes were going to fall out of my head. I mean, I was SOBBING. I haven’t read The Book Thief! I’m waiting for it to come in at the library, though, so hopefully soon!
“I don’t think she really understood how a book made me cry so hard because, you guys, there are two kinds of people in this world: those that cry so hard reading sad books that their eyes fall out and…people I don’t understand.”
YES! So true.
If someone ever looks at you funny for crying over a book, you pretty much know they are a heartless bastard. Hee.
I am on Chapter 20 right now and had to take a break, because for some reason I couldn’t see the words on the page anymore.
Stupid crying.
I haven’t read it yet, because of the crying. Each of those Gifs could easily be me, reading anything that is remotely sad. When I heard the outline of this book, I knew it would have to live on the shelf till I was ready to read it – John Green or not. But people keep saying it is SO GOOD, that I’m beginning to think I’ll have to chance it sooner rather than later.
Yeah, definitely definitely be prepared to cry A LOT. I’d say wait for a day when you don’t have to do anything else because you can probably finish it in a day and then all your cries will be done.