Some books aim to make readers laugh; some point to the heart, make them fall in love with the characters; some target the tear ducts, make them cry; and others try to make them feel the cocktail of innumerable emotions. John Green’s “Failure in Our Stars” does it all.
Narrated by Hazel Grace, the first page of the book grabs you with its witty and philosophical lines. “Depression is a side effect of death.” As you gasp at the beauty of the framed prayer, the narration continues at its own pace. The lines are all realistic and true to his word, neither pain nor tragedy are romantic, nor joy or laughter. They don’t make your heart cry, but they keep you constantly on the verge of tears. The exact word for it is “tragic realism.” And there is something to think about on every page.
Hazel suffers from stage 4 thyroid cancer and lives her life with the realization that she could be dead at any moment. He dropped out of school, lost his friends and his social life to cancer. Think of death, live around it, people who love it, and wonder about their lives after death. She is depressed, a side effect of cancer, which is itself a side effect of death, as she chooses to express it. Until he meets Augustus Waters, a cancer survivor and amputee, who has a tremendous sense of wit, wisdom, joke, and metaphor. They both share their likes and dislikes: their immense admiration for ‘An Imperial Affliction’ and Peter van Houten, and their love of video games. The very presence of this fictional book is seductive.
Hazel gives the book to Augustus, who reads it and praises it all. Share your views; opinions about the book: the fate of the characters in the book; and his agitation that the “end” is not actually an end. Together they embark on a mission to email the author, who is a recluse, and ask him what happens next and if a sequel is expected. Augustus does his best to fulfill Hazel’s only wish: to find out what happens to her favorite characters, after the narrator of the book dies. This takes them on a trip to Amsterdam, Holland. There is love, unfulfilled expectations, and understanding of impending doom, and amid all the commotion, sweet dying hearts beat for each other. The last part is about fighting illness, pain, shame, and unfulfilled dreams; and live death, loss and the emptiness left behind.
John Green keeps it so real throughout the novel without being over the top. I will surely read ‘Paper Cities’ soon, now in my TBR file. And looking forward to the movie, seeing Hazel Grace and Augustus Waters on screen and reliving their lives.
