Synopsis: 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. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.
Alright.... Its review time! I actually read this book at the end of July and since then have reread it multiple times. It one of my absolute favourite books so I believe it is necessary that I write a review. If you have not read this book I legitimately have no idea what you are doing with your life! The following contains SPOILERS so if you have no read TFioS yet go read it and then we can cry together!
****** SPOILERS DO NOT READ ANY FARTHER IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THIS AMAZING SPECIMEN OF A NOVEL******
This book.... is one of those rare books that changes your perspective on life and death. John Green is a phenomenal author.
Hazel Grace is a 16 year old girl with terminal cancer who attends Cancer Kid Support Group. As depressing as her life was Hazel finds comfort in books and Americas Next Top Model. :) And then Augustus Waters comes into the picture. Hazel was drawn to Augustus' humour, wit and his perspective on life and so was I. Struggling with past cancer repercussions as well, Gus and Hazel begin to fall in love.
Augustus was a true gentlemen. When he read An Imperial Affliction and he began texting Hazel about it, I remember giggling and smiling constantly because I knew where the story was going. Watching them fall in love was the sweetest thing ever and when Gus offered to use his wish to take Hazel to visit Peter Van Houten in Holland I was so happy for them. Their visit with Mr. Van Houten wasn't exactly ideal but their journey and time together was beautiful. Definitely one of my favourite YA couples. Sadly, while their trip progressed you could pick up on little things Gus would say and do that hinted that he was in pain and uncomfortable. Thats when he told Hazel his cancer had come back.
Every time I read the line:
"I lit up like a Christmas tree, Hazel Grace"
Reading about Gus' slow death was heart breaking and something I highly doubt I will ever fully recover from. The part when Gus tries to go to the gas station to get cigarettes totally broke my heart. Throughout the book you become familiar with the confident and almost "untouchable" Augustus but at that particular part you begin to see his beliefs and will to live break and crumble.
The most amazing part of the entire book in my opinion was Gus' eulogy. Isaac's and Hazel's speech had me laughing and crying. This quote is probably my favourite from the entire book:
"My name is Hazel. Augustus Waters was the great sat-crossed love of my life. Ours was an epic love story, and I won't be able to get more than a sentence into it without disappearing into a puddle of tears. Gus knew. Gus knows. I will not tell you our love story, because-like all real love stories-it will die with us, as it should. I'd hoped that he'd be eulogizing me, because there's no one I'd rather have..." I started crying. "Okay, how not to cry. How am I-okay. Okay."
I took a few deep breaths and went back to the page. "I can't talk about our love story, so I will talk about math. I am not a mathematician, but I know this: There are infinite numbers between 0 and 1. There's .1 and .12 and .112 and infinite collection of others. Of course, there is a Bigger infinite set of numbers between 0 and 2, or between 0 and a million. Some infinities are bigger than other infinities. A writer we used to like taught us that. There are days, many of them, when I resent the size of my unbounded set. I want more numbers than I'm likely to get, and God, I want more numbers for Augustus Waters than he got. But, Gus, my love, I cannot tell you how thankful I am for our little infinity. I wouldn't trade it for the world. You gave me a forever within the numbered days, and I'm grateful."
If you have not read this book I HIGHLY recommend it!
Happy Reading nerds and sound off in the comments with your perceptive and opinion on this book!!!