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| Read on June 2, 2013 |
Published: January 10, 2012
Publisher: Dutton (Penguin)
Format: Hardcover
Page Count: 318 pages
Source: Purchased
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.
So. I finally read it. And I have to be honest when I say that The Fault in Our Stars did not amaze me or blow me out of the water. Don't get me wrong, this book was really, really good - it just didn't live up to my expectations I had based on what I heard everybody say.
I will start off with what I did enjoy about The Fault in Our Stars: the writing style is wonderful. Everybody said that Green's way with words was exceptional, and it truly is! There are just so many great quotes in this book.
"My thoughts are stars I can't fathom into constellations."
"Without pain, we couldn't know joy."
Both of those quotes are just gorgeous. I love John Green's writing style, and because of it in The Fault in Our Stars, I am interested in his other works.
But I will admit that this book didn't quite live up to the hype surrounding it. Don't get me wrong, I really did enjoy this book. I just expecting to be "wow"-ed and absolutely and totally amazed - that never happened. I never found a moment when I was in complete shock of how good this book was. When I finished, I knew it was a good book. I just knew it's not a favorite of mine. I'm actually scared that I'm going to be shunned away for not completely liking this book; it's just my personal opinion.
And I guess that was just the reason for me not liking The Fault in Our Stars entirely. There is so much hype around this book, and I set my expectations too high. I've been getting more into contemporary fiction lately, so I was waiting for The Fault in Our Stars to blow me away, to make me feel all the feels, and to make me know that this book was brilliant. Unfortunately... none of those happened. I really, really wished they would have, but I have no clue what went wrong. But I did enjoy this book.
Overall, The Fault in Our Stars didn't live up to my expectations. And I guess you can call my heart cold since I didn't cry. The Fault in Our Stars is a very enjoyable book with loads of beautiful quotes, but I didn't get the rush of joy and love for this book that the entire planet seems to have.
M Y R A T I N G
I will start off with what I did enjoy about The Fault in Our Stars: the writing style is wonderful. Everybody said that Green's way with words was exceptional, and it truly is! There are just so many great quotes in this book.
"My thoughts are stars I can't fathom into constellations."
"Without pain, we couldn't know joy."
Both of those quotes are just gorgeous. I love John Green's writing style, and because of it in The Fault in Our Stars, I am interested in his other works.
But I will admit that this book didn't quite live up to the hype surrounding it. Don't get me wrong, I really did enjoy this book. I just expecting to be "wow"-ed and absolutely and totally amazed - that never happened. I never found a moment when I was in complete shock of how good this book was. When I finished, I knew it was a good book. I just knew it's not a favorite of mine. I'm actually scared that I'm going to be shunned away for not completely liking this book; it's just my personal opinion.
And I guess that was just the reason for me not liking The Fault in Our Stars entirely. There is so much hype around this book, and I set my expectations too high. I've been getting more into contemporary fiction lately, so I was waiting for The Fault in Our Stars to blow me away, to make me feel all the feels, and to make me know that this book was brilliant. Unfortunately... none of those happened. I really, really wished they would have, but I have no clue what went wrong. But I did enjoy this book.
Overall, The Fault in Our Stars didn't live up to my expectations. And I guess you can call my heart cold since I didn't cry. The Fault in Our Stars is a very enjoyable book with loads of beautiful quotes, but I didn't get the rush of joy and love for this book that the entire planet seems to have.
M Y R A T I N G
Sorry it didn't live up to your expectations, Brad. Is this your first John Green novel? The book did make me both laugh and cry, but I did happen to laugh more than I did cry. Looking for Alaska made me cry so much more than TFiOS. Great review.
ReplyDeleteThis is pretty much how I felt about The Fault in Our Stars too. It was a GOOD book, but it didn't grab & throw my emotions around like I had expected it to. I've read two books by John Green, and I have to say I vastly prefer Looking for Alaska over this one.
ReplyDeleteOkay this review completely expresses how I felt about TFiOS as well! I was extremely nervous to pick the book up last year because of all the hype. My best friend had read it and bawled her eyes out and she's not one who typically cries very easily. Neither am I, but I figured this would get some salt water down my cheeks. Nope. I didn't cry! And I felt SO HORRIBLE. But you're right, it didn't live up to my expectations. Did I love the book? Yes. But did I really, truly ADORE it? Sadly, no.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Brad! I don't feel so odd now that I know you felt the same as I did!