Green, John. The
Fault is in Our Stars. NY: Penguin,
2013.
Hazel Grace meets Augustus at a cancer support group that
meets in the center of the basement of the local Episcopalian church -- in the
literal heart of Jesus. So their lives
become intertwined because of this insidious disease – Hazel’s cancer began as
thyroid cancer and metastasized in her lungs; Augustus’ cancer was a sarcoma in
his leg. Yet they are truly brought together by a book --- An Imperial Affliction, written by an expatriated American,
residing in the Netherlands. Because Hazel
Grace has burning questions concerning which she considers to be a bibulous ending,
Augustus arranges for the two of them to have a meeting with the author. So
they make their journey as Hazel is tethered to her oxygen canisters. The meeting was more than unsatisfactory – not
only did Hazel not get her questions answered; her literary idol was dashed to
pieces. As they return home, cancer takes over their lives, and someone loses
the battle. Once again their paths will cross with the arrogant author who in
that interview gave more thought to what happened to the family pet than to the
remaining humans.
My reaction to this book is that is truly an example of
post-modern teen fiction. There is little hope; there is no locus of
authority. The irony that they meet in “literal
heart of Jesus” and walk away cursing lost, and disillusioned. This seems to be a microcosm
of the world at large. The movie will likely will make it immensely popular;
however I am thankful for the PG-13 rating on the movie and would also advise
parental guidance on the book for a younger audience. I do think the book should be a part of the
curriculum in YA literature classes, because it gives an inside look into how death is
approached in 21st century literature.
