The Fault in Our Stars

by John Green
The Fault in Our Stars cover
Good Books rating 3.88
Young Adult (YA)
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Waterstones
Paperback • £8.99–£9.99
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Technical
  • ID: 2418
  • Added: 2025-10-13
  • Updated: 2026-03-04
  • ISBN: 9780141345642
  • Publisher: Penguin UK
  • Published: 2012-05-03
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 4

The Fault in Our Stars is a poignant and witty novel that delves into the lives of Hazel and Augustus, two teenagers navigating the complexities of love and life while facing terminal illnesses. Hazel, who has been given a few extra years by a medical miracle, meets Augustus at a Cancer Kid Support Group, and their lives are forever changed. The novel is praised for its insightful and bold exploration of the human condition, blending humor and tragedy in a way that resonates with readers of all ages. /n/n The book has been widely acclaimed for its raw and irreverent portrayal of young love and the struggles of living with a terminal illness. It has been described as funny, clever, and life-affirming, capturing the voices of a young generation while instilling it with the wisdom of a life that has lived too much yet will never live enough. The Fault in Our Stars is a must-read for anyone looking for a story that is both heartbreaking and uplifting.

Reviews
Beauty and Lace · Bookgirl · 2025-10-13
thoughtful 3.50

The reviewer acknowledges the book's exploration of profound themes but feels they are still largely theoretical to them.

Bookgirl appreciates that the book tackles big themes like life, death, love, and legacy, but they admit these issues feel theoretical to them. While they recognize the depth of the topics, they might not have experienced them personally, which affects their connection to the story. The reviewer finds the book thought-provoking but acknowledges it might resonate differently with others.

Quick quotes

    The Fault In Our Stars tackles all the big ones – life, death, love, legacy, family and our sense of self.

    To me, these issues are still largely theoretical.

    It's a thought-provoking read that might resonate differently with each reader.

Sarah Collins Bookworm · Sarah Collins · 2021-08-30
great 4.50

The book is beautifully written and deals with profound issues, making it a touching and impactful read. It's not a light topic, but it's handled with care and sensitivity.

Sarah Collins praises the book for its beautiful writing and its handling of heavy topics like cancer and death. She acknowledges that it's not an easy read, but the way it deals with these issues is both touching and impactful. Collins appreciates the book's ability to tackle big themes while still maintaining a personal and emotional connection with the reader. She also highlights the book's literary quality, noting that it's a work of literature that manages to be both deeply moving and universally relatable.

Quick quotes

    This book is beautifully written

    It deals with big issues, it's two teenagers battling cancer and facing death

    It's a work of literature, and a touching tale of love

Disability in Kidlit · 2015-07-17
critical 2.50

The reviewer criticizes the book's use of cancer as a lens for life's meaningfulness, finding it somewhat clichéd.

This reviewer is critical of how the book uses cancer as a lens to explore the meaningfulness of life, finding it somewhat clichéd. They feel that the story's approach to such a heavy topic can come across as contrived. While they acknowledge the book's emotional impact, they believe it could have delved deeper into its themes without relying on familiar tropes.

Quick quotes

    It uses cancer as some sort of lens for the meaningfulness of life and then someone dies and it's supposed to be Very, Very Sad.

    The story's approach to such a heavy topic can come across as contrived.

    While the book has emotional impact, it could have delved deeper into its themes.

The Guardian · 2014-04-03
heartfelt 5.00

The reviewer found the book deeply relatable and realistic, praising its ability to connect with readers on an emotional level.

This reviewer was genuinely moved by the book's realism and emotional depth. They appreciated how easily they could relate to the characters and their experiences, making the story feel very personal. The reviewer highly recommends it for its ability to tackle heavy themes with sensitivity and authenticity.

Quick quotes

    I've rated it 5 stars because it was so easy to relate to and realistic.

    It's great to read more realistic books that connect with readers on such a deep level.

    The book handles its themes with a sensitivity that makes it accessible and impactful.

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