One Sentence Summary
The Fault in Our Stars, by John Green, is a young adult novel about two terminally ill teenagers who fall in love while on an adventure of self-discovery.
Book Genre
The Fault in Our Stars is a young adult, contemporary romantic fiction novel.
Main Topic of the Book
The main topic of the book is terminal illness, romance, friendship, life, and death, among other things.
Key Ideas
- Romance and Love: The Fault in Our Stars explores the possibility of finding love while still facing the inevitability of death. It also shows us how love can act as a source of strength in times of difficulty.
- Friendship: Two of the main characters form a strong friendship, showing that no matter how close someone is to death, they can still create meaningful and lasting connections.
- Life, Death, and Meaning: The novel delves into the complex ideas of what it means to truly live and how to make the most of the limited time we all have here. It also explores how different people face death and the various ways we try to make sense of it.
Main Parts of the Book and a Short Summary
The Fault in Our Stars follows the story of Hazel Grace Lancaster, a 16 year-old who has terminal cancer and is forced to attend a cancer support group. This is where she meets Augustus Waters, another cancer patient, and they form an unlikely bond. Hazel and Augustus go on a journey of self-discovery, finding meaning and understanding in their lives despite their limited amount of time. They both come to terms with the pain and beauty of life, as well as how to make the most of whatever time they have.
Key Takeaways
- Living life to the fullest is the most important thing, even if it means facing death.
- Love can be a powerful source of support and strength.
- It is possible to establish meaningful connections in the face of death.
Author’s Background and Qualifications
John Green is an American author, vlogger, producer, and editor. He is most well known for his young adult novels, such as The Fault in Our Stars and Looking for Alaska. He has also written several books about the subjects of religion and philosophy, in addition to young adult fiction. He is a recipient of the Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults and the 2006 Edgar Award for Best Young Adult Novel.
Target Audience
The Fault in Our Stars is primarily aimed at teenage readers, however its themes of love, life, death, illness, and friendship appeal to readers of all ages.
Publisher and First Publication Date
The Fault in Our Stars was first published by Dutton Books, an imprint of Penguin Group, on January 10, 2012.