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Book
- The Fault in Our Stars
Author
- John Green
Publisher
- Penguin
www.penguin.com
I
always wanted to watch the movie, “The Fault in Our Stars.” Friends and
relatives said it was good, the reviews on the Internet were great, but strangely
I never got around to watching it. Well! In my case, I guess I was just
destined to read the book! (Yes, I do believe in destinyJ.) Unlike most of the books I have written
reviews about, I never bought this book. A friend who knows that I love reading
gave me this book (bless his soul) one fine morning and I can’t thank him
enough for this wonderful gesture!
Unlike
most of the other books I have read this one took me longer to finish because I
was busy with chores (maids missing because of Ganpati Puja), but then I was
able to understand the characters better because of this. Every time I put the
book down and was busy with chores I was left wondering how Hazel, Augustus,
Issac or their family members felt in the given situation, how they coped with
reality and what gave them this strength.
Life
is short we always say, but this novel by John Greene makes you sit up and
wonder if you really know the meaning of the phrase! It’s sad when old people
leave this Earth to inhabit the one above, but when the young go it’s so much
more painful and this is what the novel is about, a fact that we like to forget
– death! Inevitable though it is, this word frightens me as it is so permanent,
irreversible and painful. John Greene in this novel shows the reality that
people with cancer face and yet, he brings in so much positivity while telling
the tale that your mind marvels at the strength that the protagonists display
and looks at the beauty of the present rather than the sadness and pain of the
future. Two strong characters, Hazel and Augustus Waters lead us through the
novel. They take us on the roller-coaster ride (as mentioned in the novel) with
them as we learn about their past and live with them in the present and future.
Why I liked the novel -
By
the time I reached the end of the book I was already sobbing. It was not only the
end that caused this reaction; it was also that the book reminded me of my
friend who lost his battle with cancer a few years ago. I never knew he had
gone till I visited his Facebook page and read all the messages there. This
episode along with my father’s demise a few years ago introduced me to death, a
fact that I always disregarded because I thought people I love would never
leave me. I know how wrong I was in thinking that!
I
am very particular about the books I read and that is reason I write about each
book so passionately. I do not believe in revealing the story because for me a
book is like a treasure map which I open to follow the path that leads to the
treasure. Each review is my interpretation of the novel! Read “The Fault in Our
Stars” only if you want to understand the trials and tribulations of a patient
with cancer and how they do not like being pitied. Of course be ready to shed a
few tears as you turn the pages of this lovely novel that talks about reality!
Links to My Work -
Twitter
- @GuptaRach
Loove the review which is so well written, Rachna:)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the compliment...Still learning Vishal!
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