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Well, if you haven’t read this magnificent novel, we assume that you have watched the movie.

In all honesty, this is one of those novels that will make you burst into tears (unless you are made of stone).

In this book summary, we elaborate all the major milestones in the lives of Hazel and Augustus.

Who Should Read “The Fault in Our Stars”? And Why?

Who shouldn’t – is the real question! From the bottom of our heart, we advise you to read this life-altering novel, which will give you the freedom to let it all out and turn on the waterworks.

We recommended “The Fault in Our Stars” especially to teenagers, who are enchanted by such narratives.

John Green Biography

John Green is a renowned American author, actor, producer and an editor, whose works have been featured in various magazines, journals and top-lists.

So far, he has written seven books and had a different role in 4 movies, including the Fault in Our Stars.

Plot

The story opens up with the introduction of a seventeen-year-old girl Hazel Grace Lancaster, who unwillingly attends a cancer patients’ group, as a guest. Due to her medical condition, she is obliged to use an oxygen mask, at all time.

The narrative structure of this novel takes an unexpected turn when Lancaster becomes interested in one of the boys there.

After a while, she finds out that this boy’s name is Augustus Waters. Unlike all the other members of the group, Augustus is not sick and comes to support his friend Isaac, who has one eye removed.

The chemistry between these two reaches another level, when Augustus after the meeting, breaks the silence by saying to Hazel that she resembles Natalie Portman in V for Vendetta.

He invites her to his house, for them to hang out and watch the movie. In the meantime, they share their cancer experience, and Hazel talks about her situation as well.

The world is not a wish-granting factory.

Augustus was also diagnosed with cancer, but he is now in good medical condition. Because of the osteosarcoma, doctors had to amputate his leg. Before going to Augustus’ house, they make a deal to read their favorite novels to one another: The Price of Dawn and An Imperial Affliction.

So, Hazel starts first with her novel (An Imperial Fiction). It’s about a girl who’s also diagnosed with cancer, named Anna – and she points out that Anna’s life-journey reminds her of everything she is going through.

Next up, Augustus and Hazel dive deep into the book, in order to smell out the meaning of the story: An Imperial Affliction. August surprises Hazel by revealing that he is touch with Van Houten’s assistant, Lidewij; and they may be able to pass a few questions to the author.

What Hazel bothers the most, is how the things will shape up for Anna’s mother after her daughter’s death.

Hazel figures out that if Anna’s parents are okay, she will have a peace of mind, in such case. Van Houten agrees to unravel Hazel’s mysteries but only in person, and invites her to Amsterdam.

Augustus once again leaves Hazel open-mouthed, when she heard about the grant from a charitable foundation, which helps kids with cancer. This organization agrees to cover her costs and make her wish come true.

Although she is happy and feels really great with Augustus, she is uncertain about their joint future, as a couple due to her illness. She says that one way or the other, he’ll end up hurt, and compares her situation to a grenade.

At the heat of the moment, Hazel suffers another “lung” attack, and she has to be hospitalized. As it turns out, her lungs were filled with fluid, and the body reacted, fiercely. Upon her discharge from the hospital, finds out that Augusts never left the waiting room.

He spices things up, with yet another letter from Van Houten, which is more personal than the last one.

Hazel gets all worked up by the letter, and now she is firm in her decision to visit Amsterdam. Nonetheless, not everyone is pleased with this idea, and the doctors recommend her to stay put, because her “condition” is prone to changes, and she mustn’t travel.  

Dr. Maria with its perspective on the situation tips the balance in favor of Hazel and supports her liveness.

I believe the universe wants to be noticed. I think the universe is improbably biased toward the consciousness, that it rewards intelligence in part because the universe enjoys its elegance being observed. And who am I, living in the middle of history, to tell the universe that it-or my observation of it-is temporary?

Hazel and Augustus are good to go, and the final plans are made before their trip to Amsterdam. A simple twist of reality crushes their expectations when they find out that Van Houten is merely a drunkard and not some genius who can answer their questions.

They leave the house in utter disappointment and decide to locate Anne Frank’s house, for a quick tour.

Augusts kisses Hazel, and they go back to the hotel where they make love for the first and ultimately the last time. The next day, Augustus reveals his dark secret, that cancer has returned, and spread throughout the body – the situation is dire.

Augustus takes the role of a grenade, and his charm instantly fades away, but Hazel disagrees and says that he will always be the charismatic one.

He feels vulnerable and weak to take action. Hazel starts to call him Gus and expresses her endless love towards him. Augustus health deteriorates at lightning speed, and he arranges a pre-funeral just for Isaac and Hazel to share their experiences with him.

Hazel says that her love will never go away, and not even death is strong enough to keep them separated. Augustus shares from the bottom of his heart that there’s nothing in this world that he would want to have in exchange for the days they spent together.  

Eight days later, Augustus passes away, and what shocks Hazel the most, is the arrival of Van Houten at the funeral. Van Houten says to Hazel that they’ve been exchanging letters with Augustus, ever since they two met, and he demanded him to attend his funeral to see Hazel.

A few days after Augustus’ burial, Hazel once more bumps into Van Houten. He abstractly reveals Anna’s fate, and the actual meaning of the novel – which is to “bury the hatchet” with death, not to oppose it.

Hazel is not that interested in it and finds out about the sequel of “An Imperial Affliction” that Augustus has been writing in her honor.

The Fault in Our Stars Epilogue

Hazel is now aware of Augustus’ intentions and what he did. In fact, he sent all the necessary pages to Van Houten, for him to compose the story to pay tribute to Hazel.

Without pain, how could we know joy?’ This is an old argument in the field of thinking about suffering and its stupidity and lack of sophistication could be plumbed for centuries but suffice it to say that the existence of broccoli does not, in any way, affect the taste of chocolate.

Lidewij brings pressure to Van Houten to read all these pages and design the eulogy. It all ends in a highly unusual fashion, whereby Hazel learns Augustus’ words.

His last words are – This world will hurt you, one way or the other, but you have a choice to prevent or allow such a thing.

According to him, having a choice can make a difference in all aspects and Hazel agrees to.  

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“The Fault in Our Stars PDF Quotes”

Our Critical Review

Do we dare write a review about such masterpiece? Of course, we do, but all the critics lean towards the positive side.

We couldn’t identify a single blemish on the book’s style, storyline, narrative, scheme, and context.

10/10

Emir Zecovic

Emir is the Head of Marketing at 12min. In his spare time, he loves to meditate and play soccer.