My 12-year-old daughter came home from school the other day and announced, “Everyone is going to see The Fault in Our Stars movie when it comes out.”
Everyone?
Well, she conceded, about 90%.
Then she put her hands on her hips and gave me the why don’t you let me do what other parents let their kids do look.
I get it a lot.
I sighed and asked, “Do you even know what the book is about?”
She admitted she did not. And so I launched into an explanation of one of my favorite books, which is about to hit the big screen.
Here’s what you and my daughter need to know:
- TFIOS is the love story of Hazel and Augustus, two teenagers diagnosed with cancer and contemplating the Big Questions of life.
- You should read it first. I say this about all books, but I really mean it this time. John Green, the author of The Fault in Our Stars, tells this sad story with an admirable mix of humor, wit, and brutal honesty. I’m not sure how his “voice” will transfer to the big screen. Sure, his dialogue will make it, but what about great lines that are part of Hazel’s narrative, like
I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.
Or:
Funerals, I had decided, are for the living.
Its only 313 pages; most people I know finish it in two days. Read it!
It’s sad. These are kids contemplating their own deaths. I cried. For two days. I’m actually hesitant about seeing the movie because I don’t want to go through the trauma again. My 14-year-old son read TFIOS recently and said, “It was well written.” He’s a John Green fan, and I shared TFIOS with him because he tends to ponder things at great length, much like the main characters. But he didn’t like it. I think it disturbed him a little, although he won’t admit it. He does NOT want to see the movie.
It’s sad.
- There’s a lot of deep stuff going on. Hazel and Augustus ask big questions like, “What kind of mark do I want to leave on the world?” and “How do I want people to remember me?” and “Why are scrambled eggs only served for breakfast?” It will take a mature reader/ movie goer to grasp all the themes and meanings Mr. Green has weaved into his story. And Augustus likes to use big words. For example:
I was, like, the prototypical Hoosier kid… all about resurrecting the lost art of the midrange jumper, but then one day… I couldn’t figure out why I was methodically tossing a spherical object through a toroidal object.
See what I mean?
- There is one sexual encounter, tactfully written. I’m actually not as concerned about that as I am about the deeper meanings going unappreciated.
Personally, I don’t think this book/movie is for tweens, not because of “the scene”, but because when my daughter reads/sees it, I want her to really get it. What a waste to go through all that sad and not understand the humor and beauty too.
Have I missed anything? What else should people know about TFIOS? Do you plan on seeing the movie?
Thanks for stopping by!
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Julia
I really loved that book, but when my 10-year-old picked it up I said,”Not yet.” I even wondered about my 13-year-old but he really wanted to read it and he really liked it. He even cried 🙂 I can’t wait for the movie! I hope I’m not disappointed – but I have feeling that if John Green loved the movie, we will too. Thanks for the review.
I’m so glad you mentioned that John Green likes the movie- a pretty good recommendation, right? (Of course, would he date say anything different?)
I still haven’t read The Fault in Our Stars because of it being sad. I thought I might see the movie, instead, but I’ll take your advice and read the book first.
I would definitely pick the book over the movie. John Green’s writing is superb!
TFIOS is not my kind of book, so I didn’t read it. But I did see the trailer the other day. The movie looks dumb: like the movie is trying to can too much depth into a small can. That can work in a book, but I don’t think it will do well in this movie.
Thanks for sharing. I am a little worried that all of the meaning of the book will not transfer to the screen. What kind of book do you like?
Thanks for sharing. I am a little worried that all of the meaning of the book will not transfer to the screen. What kind of book do you like?
My 15 year old read the book twice; she loved it. Cried a lot. I’m actually going to start reading it today. She can’t wait to see the movie, and I know she’s mature enough to watch it. My 12 year old nephew, to my surprise, also read it. I know he didn’t get it the way my daughter did, and she was actually surprised my sister let him read it!
Yay Dana! Enjoy it! Will your 15 year old let you go with her to the movies?
She wants to go with a friend, which is fine with me. I’m in no rush to see the movie!
I LOVED The Fault in Our Stars (read, in part, thanks to your excellent review and recommendation). I’m sure I’ll see the movie at some point, but I’m not in any big rush. The book is always better than the movie, and, like you, I’m a big believer in reading the book FIRST!!
That’s two votes for the rental option now. I guess I’m a sucker for crying into sodium infused movie popcorn. I’ll be sure to let ya’ll know how far up the rental list TFIOS should go!
I loved The Fault in Our Stars – the writing was wry and beautiful. It didn’t make me as sad as it probably should have, maybe because I focused on the funniness and the hope inherent in living life with a sense of humor and self-awareness. Our kids are too young for the movie, so we definitely won’t be seeing it as a family, and as with all “grownup” movies, B & I are definitely in the “we’ll wait till it comes to Redbox.” I’ll be glad for it when it does, though – I have superhero/shootemup/no-new-story movie fatigue. Thanks for sharing some of Green’s lines here – they took me back to how good the book was.
It really is a wonderful book – good for you to focus on the funny and hopeful, and to mention it here – because that definitely is what makes this book so beautiful.