Why does fate seem to favor some and not others? The book opens with Hazel bringing telling the reader about her cancer treatment, which includes her weekly attendance at a support group. This group met "in the basement of a stone-walled Episcopal church shaped like a cross. To invoke an image of the cross is to call to mind various theologies about a suffering God. Christianity teaches that through Jesus, God quite literally suffered a painful, agonizing death, and that by this death, God stands in solidarity with all victims.
The stars might be mocking Hazel and Augustus from afar, but the creator of those stars stands close to them and the members of their support group, in the literal heart of Jesus. Of course, that raises all sorts of theologically infuriating questions like, Why doesn't God do anything about cancer?
Or, Does the existence of pain prove God is non-existent or evil? The novel doesn't tackle these questions, but it's refreshing to see a popular writer at least winking at them. I thought, Hmm, that's a nicely written book for year-olds. If I'm being honest, it also left me saying "Oh, brother" out loud more than once. Does this make me heartless? Or does it make me a grown-up? Well, that isn't a heartless position to take; but neither is it necessarily the mature one to take.
Graham is right on one thing: TFIOS is a book written for young adults, and therefore doesn't treat philosophical questions with the same gravitas as a college textbook. At the same time, it's possible that Graham's dislike for the YA genre caused her to plow through some of the book's more mature themes without giving them much consideration. Our mission has never been more vital than it is in this moment: to empower through understanding.
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By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Reddit Pocket Flipboard Email. The experience of suffering? Teen, 13 years old Written by colorsgirl February 16, It's better than Harry Potter. The writing is fantastic, and the philosophical questions it deals with are of amazing proportions. TFiOS essentially deals with the meaning of life in one, not terribly long novel.
The message of living and loving despite dying are profound and much more worth thinking about than the topics of most other teen and other books published today. That being said, there is some swearing that feels natural with the age of the kids. Also, the two main characters kiss and have sex. The way this part of the book is written though is not focused on the sex.
It is focused on the love these two characters have for each other. It also isn't graphic. Augustus puts cigarettes in his mouth, but never lights them. It's a metaphor to him; putting the thing with the ability to kill you in your mouth, but not giving it the power to do so. Hazel and Augustus are underage when they drink champagne, but I think it is completely excusable as they don't know whether they will ever be of age.
The vocabulary, let's just say there were several words I didn't know by page 50, which is a rare thing for me. I think mature 13yos and anyone older should definitely read this, as it is fantastic, deep and addresses the meaning of life. Helped me decide. Kid, 11 years old March 26, Depends on Maturity This book is amazing. I read it within 2 hours not stopping at all since it kept you wanting more.
I'm eleven but I've read other young adult books and enjoyed them. If you have a kid younger then 12 it depends on if there mature enough. Definitely not the average OMG I love him kind of story. Its true and honest even though the main characters have cancer, which makes it even more spectacular.
There is a brief part that talks about sex but its not explicit. Hazel does swear but she is a teenager and honestly I think its good that they're portraying her as a normal girl who occasionally says a bad word not a girl who is having her life taken over by cancer. Not going to say way because it would be a spoiler! All in all its iffy depending on maturity.
Read my mind 2. Kid, 9 years old August 27, It's beautiful. My favorite book of all time. I loved it. I cried and chuckled, and it's very honest. There is language, but it's not too extreme.
It's an honest love story. A tale of death, love, tragedy, anger and depression. I finished it in 3 days. Absolutely wonderful. Though I am 9 10 very soon I rated it as a book for teens because of the language, sex, very brief- not explicit and champagne consumption, but it is very, very beautiful. Nothing like it. I definitely recommend this book to teens and adults alike. You will start reading, and not put the book down.
You will cry, you will laugh, and you will think. Truly beautiful. Vlogbrothers will know what that stands for. Teen, 13 years old Written by gracem. Sad, heartfelt and incredibly beautiful.
This story is like a slap to the face. It reminds you just how lucky we are to have healthy bodies and long lives ahead of us, unlike the two main characters of this book. The main character, Hazel Grace is sixteen years old and has been diagnosed with cancer in her lungs, and she knows she dosen't have long to live.
She attends a support group, and has a friend there called Isaac there, who has cancer in his eyes. She meets Augustus Waters, a cancer survivor who has had no evidence of cancer in his system for years. The novel follows their story, and how they grew close and their relationship developed into more than friendship.
There is one sexual scene, but it isn't graphic whatsoever. You know what is happening, but the author ends the chapter before it actually happens. I guess the author is telling us to cherish our lives, to live them to their fullest as we never know when they are going to be cut short. I am thirteen, and I got out of it that we shouldn't waste our lives being discriminative over race, sexuality and religion. The novel is so beautifully written, and each time I read it I understand and uncover just a little more.
Its the sort of book that you curl up after reading and sob into a pillow, so don't read it in public, it may prove to be the worst decision you ever make. Parents, if you are reading this, if you are not sure whether your child is up to this book, read it yourself and check it out. You may decide to read it with your child and talk them through it, or talk to them afterward. Just don't listen to the really harsh reviews, because this book will carve out its own place in your heart.
The perspective of Hazel is rather interesting and John Green has expressed the story greatly. The story has many positive role models and can give great positive messages and inspiration to teens about what it is like to stay brave, even if you know you will die soon.
I have had people tell me that no one could be as impossibly cool as Augustus or as bright as Hazel Grace, but I had a friend when I was eighteen who could have been the model for Augustus. He was a handsome loner whose cool charm lured everyone to him, who used twelve words where one would do, and who was sharp as a tack, funny, and kind. These characters John Green has drawn might be slightly idealized, but they are also very real. Note — her comments are not necessarily appropriate for the average elementary school reader!
The relationship between teens and parents is something all our students connect to. But how can you fault her? Hazel wants to just retreat to the solace of her room, but mom pushes her out the door. The tug-of-war between Mrs. The most alarming, debilitating disease any of us can contract today is cancer. The Fault In Our Starts is a story about being a teen.
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