Our book choice for Christmas 2013 is The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. 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.
The Fault in Our Stars is a 2012 young adult novel by American author John Green. The story follows Hazel Grace Lancaster, a 16-year-old girl with thyroid cancer that has spread to her lungs, and Augustus Waters, a 17-year-old boy who lost his leg to osteosarcoma. Hazel and Augustus meet at a cancer patient support group and quickly form a bond. They share a love of books, especially the novel An Imperial Affliction by Peter Van Houten. When Hazel learns that Van Houten is still alive, she and Augustus travel to Amsterdam to meet him.
The novel explores themes of love, loss, and mortality. Hazel is a cynical and withdrawn teenager who has been through a lot in her short life. She is afraid of death and doesn’t believe in God. Augustus is a more optimistic and outgoing person. He is determined to live his life to the fullest, even though he knows that he could die at any time.
Discussion Questions for The Fault in Our Stars
- John Green derives his book’s title from a famous line in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar: “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings.” (I,ii,139-140). What does the line mean and why does Green use it for the title? Why does he use, “The fault in our stars” rather than ourselves? How does Green’s meaning differ from Shakespeare’s?
- John Green’s protagonist is an adolescent girl. Is Hazel convincing as a female character
- What’s the significance of the swing set?
- Why is An Imperial Affliction Hazel’s favorite book? Why are Hazel and Gus so committed to discover what happens after its heroine dies?
- Hazel says, “Cancer books suck.” Is this a book about cancer?
- What did you think of the final line of the book?
- Metaphor is explicitly discussed at length by characters in the book.
- What is the significance of Isaac losing his sight? Do you think it is realistic that Isaac would care more about his break up with Monica than his blindness?
- What is the significance of Gus’s cigarette?
- what is Augustus really doing when he goes to get a hamburger in the airport?
- What does Gus’s use of his Wish tell us about his character?
- Why does Green use Amsterdam as an alternate setting for part of the book? Why Anne Frank’s house?
- What is the significance of the words “always” and “okay” to the characters? Why do they pick these words?
- What did you think of the character of Van Houten? What role does he play in the narrative?
- Do you have a book that feels ‘too special to talk about’?
- The book is filled with love stories. Which ones did you connect with the most? The least?
- Why does Augustus write Hazel a eulogy before he dies? Why doesn’t he present her with the ending of An Imperial Affliction instead?
- Why did Green fill the book with black humour? Did you find it appropriate? Successful?
- How do Hazel and Gus change over the course of the novel?
- What was your experience of reading the book? Did you find it sad? Or uplifting?
- To whom would you recommend the book? Why ro why not?
Individual Ratings
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John's Rating