The fault in our stars

Green, J. (2012). The fault in our stars. New York : Dutton Childrens Books. Hazel Grace a sixteen year old with thyroid cancer and mets in her lungs attends a weekly support group to comfort her parents. One day, Hazel meets Augustus a seventeen year old who had osteosarcoma a year and a half ago, but is attending to support his friend Isaac. Hazel and Augustus begin a flirtatious friendship and discuss everything in their lives. Hazel shares her love for her favorite book, An Imperial Aflliction. They both obsess about the unsolved ending. August surprises Hazel with a trip to Amsterdam to meet Peter Van Houten who has agreed to meet with her to discuss the ending using his “Wish” that they grant for dying children. Hazel, Augustus, and her mother set off on adventure to finally get closure on the book. When they meet Peter Van Houten, he is rude and disrespectful. He is a mean drunk and doesn’t answer any of her questions. He had only agreed to meet with her because he never thought she would make it to Amsterdam. Lidewij, Van Houten’s assistant, takes them out to explore Amsterdam and see Anne Frank’s house. Hazel and Augustus finally kiss and have sexual relations when they get back to the hotel. Augustus reveals that his cancer has returned. Once, they return to Indianapolis, Hazel realizes that his health is deteriorating and he doesn’t have much time. Hazel and Isaac share the eulogies that he had requested. Peter Van Houten attends Augustus funeral where he reveals that he wrote the book because his daughter had died of cancer. She realizes why he summons himself to alcoholism to cover up the hurt he carries from his daughter’s death. Isaac reveals to her that before Augustus death, he had been writing something. She searches for his writings and contemplates on the issue that he may have been writing an alternative ending to the book. She contacts Lidewij and finds out that he had actually written her a eulogy. She reads the eulogy stating that he hopes that she’s happy with the choices she made. Hazel and Augustus strength in coming into terms of their terminal illness and making the best out of life sends out a clear message. The courage that they have to embrace to get through their daily lives of doctors, medicines, hospitals, and inevitable death teaches the reader that they can conquer anything that comes their way with the strength of family and friends. It takes a lot of courage to get through difficult times, but when you have the support of others, it makes nothing impossible. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PEepfswJWs