Reading Log Number 5

Title : The Fault In Our Stars
Text : Novel
Author : John Green
Finished : 11/08/17

The Fault in our stars written by John Green is about a 16 year old girl called Hazel Grace Lancaster who is a cancer patient. In her mothers best interest Hazel reluctantly attends a cancer patients support group where she meets this boy called Augustus Waters who is their to support a mutual friend Isaac. After the meeting Augustus introduces himself properly to Hazel and invites her to hang at his house. They talk about their experiences with cancer, Hazel tells Gus that her thyroid cancer has spread to her lungs. Gus tells Hazel that he had osteosarcoma but is now free from cancer since he got his leg amputated. They recommend books for each other to read, Hazel recommends the book "An Imperial Affliction " which is short story about a girl called Anna who coincidentally has the same cancer as her. Hazel is concerned about Anna's mother, she figures that if Anna's mother can survive her daughters death then her own parents will be alright after Hazel dies. Gus sends a letter to the author of the book talking about how Hazel would like to know what happened to Anna's mother. The author Van Houton said he can't answer her questions over a letter but they should stop by if they're ever in Amsterdam. Hazel parents and doctors think that Hazel isn't strong enough to travel but Dr Maria a physician who has followed Hazel through her journey tells her parents that they should let Hazel go live life. So Her mum, Hazel and Gus go to Amsterdam. They arrive at Van Houton's apartment and get greatly disappointed as they were greeted by a drunk Van Houton. They then make love for the first and only time. Augustus tells Hazel that while he was waiting for her he had a scan and the results showed that he has cancer again and its spread everywhere in his body this is where Hazel realises that Augustus is now the grenade. Hazel would refer herself as a grenade now that Gus's cancer has come back he's become the grenade and he doesn't have much time to live, so they then have a prefuneral for Gus. Hazel says a beautiful speech about how she loves Gus and so does Isaac their friend. Gus dies 8 days later, Hazel is broken because Augustus was the person she felt who related to her the most.

Something that was shown throughout the whole novel was 'love'. It's shown majorly with Augustus and Hazel. Even though Hazel denied feelings for a bit because she saw herself as a grenade and felt that if she had a relationship with Augustus when she died she would hurt him and she didn't want that to happen. Hazel still took the chance and it lead to the most heartwarming but short relationship ever. Augustus used his wish from the cancer association because he cared for Hazel and wanted her to live her life to the potential she could. Even though Hazel's favourite author disappointed her Augustus still made their time in Amsterdam worth while because he loved and cared her.

The character I can relate to the most is Augustus Waters because he has the same cancer as my brother. In other words in the story Augustus was my brother Chris. My brother like Gus had his leg amputated and is soon to be cancer free. Some of Augustus characteristics are determination, drive and originality. As young as my brother is I find him inspiring because he's like Gus. Chris like Gus is determined and has the drive to not let one leg stop him from having a normal childhood. Chris is exactly the same as he was with two legs, he may be bald but he's still the same. He still likes playing outside with our sisters, he still likes playing on the tramp and in the sandpit, he's also determined to ride his bike again.

In conclusion even though the ending was tragic and made me sad, it was a beautiful book to read and it taught me to be more nicer and more grateful that I can live life normally and healthy. I recommend this book for people around my age because it shows a perspective of a cancer patient which is more challenging then our normal routine. I mean I wouldn't want to carry around a oxygen tank 24/7 because then I'd look weird and with society these days there are people who just mock you based on your look.