I just finished reading The Fault in Our Stars and I am so filled with emotion, I don't even know where to begin with this post.
I guess at the beginning...
The Fault in Our Stars is the story of Hazel and Gus, two teenagers battling Cancer. I don't know why I ever thought for a second that this book could have a happy ending. Perhaps I have been reading too many Kindergarten books for too long where everything turns out all sunshine, roses, unicorns, and lollipops.
The story is touching, and made me cry, but I was thinking about this book as a parent and crying because I can't imagine loosing your child. As a wife, I was also secretly praying that when the time comes, I go before Rob. I am weak and could never last without him. It's so true. I've always envisioned my life ending like the last scene in The Notebook. I just couldn't do it.
Beyond the theme of cancer and dying, I think that in his book Mr. Green made a clever side-theme of why books shouldn't be taken too seriously. They are, after all, made up stories about people who do not really exist. Their stories end when the books end. This theme, addressed point blank in his Author's note before the first chapter, is one that Hazel struggles with, eventually confronting the author of her favorite book to find out "what happens next" when the books ends. Anyone who knows me, lives with me, or reads this blog knows that I NEED to know what happens next. Maybe I am curious, maybe I just crave closure, but I HAVE to know. But not this time.
You see, if I know what happens, if I probe a little more, there's the possibility I might learn that Hazel has lost her battle. So, I am OK just reading the last chapter, closing the book, and living with hope.
Read this one. Even if you are a grown-up. Don't be afraid to borrow your child's book. It's worth it. I promise. It will make you think twice about sequels. Seriously. And about how seriously you take the books you read. They are just characters, they are just characters...I'm going to have to work on that one.
Happy reading everyone!
-Dodie
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