Awati Reshma Hidayat, Assistant Professor (reshma.awati@mmcc.edu.in), Marathwada Mitra Mandal’s College of Commerce Pune.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is one of those rare books that lingers in your thoughts long after you finish the last page.
The story follows Hazel Grace Lancaster, a sixteen-year-old girl living with terminal thyroid cancer, and Augustus Waters, a witty, confident boy who’s in remission from osteosarcoma. They meet at a cancer support group, and what begins as casual friendship slowly transforms into a deep and meaningful connection. What makes their bond special is not just their shared experience with illness, but their shared way of thinking—curious, honest, and unafraid to confront life’s toughest questions.
They talk about books, life, and death in a way that doesn’t feel forced. You laugh with them, you cry with them, and at some point, you start to feel like you know them.
What really hit home for me was the way the book handles the idea of pain and purpose. Hazel is fully aware of her limited time, and she struggles with the fear of being a burden to the people she loves. Augustus, on the other hand, wants his life to mean something—to leave a mark. These two very different ways of coping with illness create a beautiful tension throughout the novel, and watching them grow together is both heartbreaking and hopeful.
Their shared love for a mysterious novel, An Imperial Affliction, becomes a central part of their journey. The book-within-a-book draws them closer and eventually leads them to Amsterdam, in search of answers from the author. This trip becomes more than just a quest for closure—it becomes a turning point in their relationship and in their understanding of life itself.
The book doesn’t glorify illness, nor does it reduce the characters to their diagnoses. They are full human beings with thoughts, humour, and big dreams.
Hazel’s parents are caring and protective, and Augustus’s best friend Isaac brings both comic relief and emotional depth. These relationships help us understand that while cancer is central to the story, it’s not the only thing that defines it.
Just when things get heavy, there’s a line or moment that makes you smile. This balance is what makes the book feel real—because that’s how life is too.
The Fault in Our Stars is more than just a young adult romance—it’s a deeply moving exploration of what it means to live and love fully, even when time is running out. It’s sad, yes, but also beautiful in the way it captures human connection and emotional strength. Whether you’re a teen or an adult, this book will touch your heart and stay with you for a long time.
It’s a story that reminds us that even if you can’t have a long life, you can still have a meaningful one. And sometimes, that’s enough.
A beautifully written, unforgettable novel. Highly recommended.