The Fault in Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is a bestselling contemporary young adult novel that has left a deep impact on readers worldwide. Published in 2012, the book tells the story of Hazel Grace Lancaster, a sixteen-year-old living with thyroid cancer that has spread to her lungs. Although she survives with the help of medication and an oxygen tank, Hazel views her life through the lens of illness and its limitations. Her world changes when she meets Augustus Waters, a charming and witty former basketball player who lost a leg to osteosarcoma. Their meeting at a cancer support group sparks a love story that is both heartbreaking and uplifting.

Green masterfully balances humor, romance, and tragedy in a way that feels authentic and deeply human. Hazel and Augustus embark on a journey that takes them beyond the boundaries of their illness—both literally, as they travel to Amsterdam to meet Hazel’s favorite author, and emotionally, as they confront love, mortality, and the meaning of life. Their relationship shows how love can flourish even in the shadow of suffering, and how moments of joy can outshine inevitable loss.

At its core, the novel explores profound themes such as the fragility of human life, the search for meaning in suffering, and the fear of being forgotten. John Green’s writing resonates because of its honesty; he doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of terminal illness, yet he captures the beauty and humor that exist alongside pain.

The Fault in Our Stars has been praised for its emotional depth, authentic teenage voices, and its ability to make readers laugh and cry in equal measure. It became a cultural phenomenon, inspiring a successful film adaptation in 2014, and continues to be cherished as one of the most moving love stories of its time.