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Natalie Monroe's Reviews > The Fault in Our Stars
The Fault in Our Stars
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Natalie Monroe's review
bookshelves: loved-while-reading-but-forgettable, when-sparks-don-t-fly, good-but-not-great, not-worth-the-hype, real-problems, pretentious-indie-record-listeners, get-a-life-pixie-girl
Jul 19, 2012
bookshelves: loved-while-reading-but-forgettable, when-sparks-don-t-fly, good-but-not-great, not-worth-the-hype, real-problems, pretentious-indie-record-listeners, get-a-life-pixie-girl
Read 2 times. Last read April 27, 2014.
3.5 stars
This review will be athrowdown conversation between Nice Natalie and Cynical Natalie
Nice Natalie: I think we should give it 4 stars.
Cynical Natalie: We cannot give The Fault in Our Stars 4 stars. We gave Scarlet and The Iron Daughter 4 stars and we freaking love those books.
Nice Natalie: I know, but it's about cancer kids. And I feel bad about giving it a low rating.
Cynical Natalie: Ah-ha! You see, you see, you're letting John Green manipulate you. You're giving it a high rating simply based on the subject of the book, not the quality.
Nice Natalie: But John Green is a good writer.
Cynical Natalie: I will grudgingly concede that John Green can write well, but may I also point out that Augustus and Hazel's dialogue borders on rehearsed sometimes. Take Gus's confession for example:
"I'm in love with you, and I'm not in the business of denying myself the simple pleasure of saying true things. I'm in love with you, and I know that love is just a shout into the void, and that oblivion is inevitable, and that we're all doomed and that there will come a day when all our labor has been returned to dust, and I know the sun will swallow the only earth we'll ever have, and I am in love with you.”
Look at that and tell me he didn't pre-plan it. And it's clunky too. Remember when we watched the trailer and it showed this very scene and we kept giggling the whole time because Tris's brother just sounded so awkward.
Nice Natalie: Okay, some of the dialogue is a little unrealistic. But you liked some of it. Remember this?
“What's that?"
"The laundry basket?"
"No, next to it."
"I don't see anything next to it."
"It's my last shred of dignity. It's very small.”
And this:
"Like all sick children," he answered dispassionately, "you say you don't want pity, but your very existence depends upon it.
Even you loved this quote because it's the boldest and most accurate proclamation of disabled/sick people we'd ever heard or read. We want to be treated just like any other kid, but we secretly demand perks too. If someone let me cut in front of them in a very long line because I was disabled, I wouldn't refuse, I'd fucking take it.
And tell me I'm lying if you don't feel perpetually in debt like Gus does to all those people who help you. It is humiliating to need help all the time. That's why Gus wants to make his mark on this world, so he can feel like he's giving back somehow.
Cynical Natalie: Okay, fine, maybe we can relate to him a little. But it doesn't change the fact that his characters sound like mini-John Greens and way wiser than their years. Being sick doesn't automatically give you a Philosophy degree.
FYI, I didn't shed a single tear when (view spoiler). The first time I read this, teensy sad. This time, nothing.
Nice Natalie: Because you knew what was going to happen.
Cynical Natalie: I know what happens at the end of The Book Thief (Hell, the narrator freaking tells you in the beginning!) Doesn't mean Zusak doesn't rip out my heart and stomp on it for good measure every time.
Nice Natalie: Come on, they're star-crossed lovers! And don't you like romance?
Cynical Natalie: I do like romance, but this one failed to move me. And I have issue with the fact that John Green is being hailed as the savior of YA, when all he's done is regurgitate what female writers have been doing for years. It's your same old love story thinly veiled by cancer. It even incorporates the stay-away-from-me-because-I'm-not-good-for-you trope.
Plus, while we're on the subject, where did Gus get condoms?
Nice Natalie: What?
Cynical Natalie: You know, during the scene when Gus and Hazel have sex. Also, digressing a little, but why would people clap for two teenagers making out in Anne Frank's house? First off, it's inappropriate and second, the public screamed for Justin Bieber's blood when he said he hoped Anne Frank would be a Beliber. What on earth makes you think they would tolerate overwhelming hormones?
Anyways, back to the subject, Hazel mentioned they used a condom, but where did it come from? Gus doesn't seem like the type to carry them around causally and if he brought them deliberately, knowing he'd hook up with Hazel in Amsterdam, then he takes the word "cocky" to a new level. Someone pointed out that public restrooms dispense them. However, to obtain said protection, Gus would have had to leave Hazel for a few moments and that's not mentioned in the book. It might have been skipped over, I don't know, but it's just something to think about.
Nice Natalie:
That's all you got from the incredibly well-done sex scene? Where the latex came from?
Cynical Natalie: It's an important topic.
Nice Natalie: Fine. So how many stars should we give it?
Cynical Natalie: 3.
Nice Natalie: Really? It's about cancer kids—
Cynical Natalie: Oh god, not this again.
Quality over subject matter!
Nice Natalie: People are going to think you're a heartless bitch.
Cynical Natalie: I am a heartless bitch. Being nice is your job.
Nice Natalie: Let's meet in the middle: 3.5 stars.
Cynical Natalie: Fine. But let me just add that that 0.5 star is a pity star.
Nice Natalie: SHUT UP ALREADY!
Other Nice Natalie/Cynical Nataliebrawls reviews:
A Girl Like You
If I Stay
Dreams of Gods & Monsters
The Martian
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Catching Fire
All The Rage
An Ember In The Ashes
Harry Potter & the Cursed Child
The Hammer of Thor
The Ship of the Dead
Caraval
Warcross
The Last Namsara
This review will be a
Nice Natalie: I think we should give it 4 stars.
Cynical Natalie: We cannot give The Fault in Our Stars 4 stars. We gave Scarlet and The Iron Daughter 4 stars and we freaking love those books.
Nice Natalie: I know, but it's about cancer kids. And I feel bad about giving it a low rating.
Cynical Natalie: Ah-ha! You see, you see, you're letting John Green manipulate you. You're giving it a high rating simply based on the subject of the book, not the quality.
Nice Natalie: But John Green is a good writer.
Cynical Natalie: I will grudgingly concede that John Green can write well, but may I also point out that Augustus and Hazel's dialogue borders on rehearsed sometimes. Take Gus's confession for example:
"I'm in love with you, and I'm not in the business of denying myself the simple pleasure of saying true things. I'm in love with you, and I know that love is just a shout into the void, and that oblivion is inevitable, and that we're all doomed and that there will come a day when all our labor has been returned to dust, and I know the sun will swallow the only earth we'll ever have, and I am in love with you.”
Look at that and tell me he didn't pre-plan it. And it's clunky too. Remember when we watched the trailer and it showed this very scene and we kept giggling the whole time because Tris's brother just sounded so awkward.
Nice Natalie: Okay, some of the dialogue is a little unrealistic. But you liked some of it. Remember this?
“What's that?"
"The laundry basket?"
"No, next to it."
"I don't see anything next to it."
"It's my last shred of dignity. It's very small.”
And this:
"Like all sick children," he answered dispassionately, "you say you don't want pity, but your very existence depends upon it.
Even you loved this quote because it's the boldest and most accurate proclamation of disabled/sick people we'd ever heard or read. We want to be treated just like any other kid, but we secretly demand perks too. If someone let me cut in front of them in a very long line because I was disabled, I wouldn't refuse, I'd fucking take it.
And tell me I'm lying if you don't feel perpetually in debt like Gus does to all those people who help you. It is humiliating to need help all the time. That's why Gus wants to make his mark on this world, so he can feel like he's giving back somehow.
Cynical Natalie: Okay, fine, maybe we can relate to him a little. But it doesn't change the fact that his characters sound like mini-John Greens and way wiser than their years. Being sick doesn't automatically give you a Philosophy degree.
FYI, I didn't shed a single tear when (view spoiler). The first time I read this, teensy sad. This time, nothing.
Nice Natalie: Because you knew what was going to happen.
Cynical Natalie: I know what happens at the end of The Book Thief (Hell, the narrator freaking tells you in the beginning!) Doesn't mean Zusak doesn't rip out my heart and stomp on it for good measure every time.
Nice Natalie: Come on, they're star-crossed lovers! And don't you like romance?
Cynical Natalie: I do like romance, but this one failed to move me. And I have issue with the fact that John Green is being hailed as the savior of YA, when all he's done is regurgitate what female writers have been doing for years. It's your same old love story thinly veiled by cancer. It even incorporates the stay-away-from-me-because-I'm-not-good-for-you trope.
Plus, while we're on the subject, where did Gus get condoms?
Nice Natalie: What?
Cynical Natalie: You know, during the scene when Gus and Hazel have sex. Also, digressing a little, but why would people clap for two teenagers making out in Anne Frank's house? First off, it's inappropriate and second, the public screamed for Justin Bieber's blood when he said he hoped Anne Frank would be a Beliber. What on earth makes you think they would tolerate overwhelming hormones?
Anyways, back to the subject, Hazel mentioned they used a condom, but where did it come from? Gus doesn't seem like the type to carry them around causally and if he brought them deliberately, knowing he'd hook up with Hazel in Amsterdam, then he takes the word "cocky" to a new level. Someone pointed out that public restrooms dispense them. However, to obtain said protection, Gus would have had to leave Hazel for a few moments and that's not mentioned in the book. It might have been skipped over, I don't know, but it's just something to think about.
Nice Natalie:
That's all you got from the incredibly well-done sex scene? Where the latex came from?
Cynical Natalie: It's an important topic.
Nice Natalie: Fine. So how many stars should we give it?
Cynical Natalie: 3.
Nice Natalie: Really? It's about cancer kids—
Cynical Natalie: Oh god, not this again.
Quality over subject matter!
Nice Natalie: People are going to think you're a heartless bitch.
Cynical Natalie: I am a heartless bitch. Being nice is your job.
Nice Natalie: Let's meet in the middle: 3.5 stars.
Cynical Natalie: Fine. But let me just add that that 0.5 star is a pity star.
Nice Natalie: SHUT UP ALREADY!
Other Nice Natalie/Cynical Natalie
A Girl Like You
If I Stay
Dreams of Gods & Monsters
The Martian
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Catching Fire
All The Rage
An Ember In The Ashes
Harry Potter & the Cursed Child
The Hammer of Thor
The Ship of the Dead
Caraval
Warcross
The Last Namsara
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Quotes Natalie Liked
“As he read, I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.”
― The Fault in Our Stars
― The Fault in Our Stars
“There are infinite numbers between 0 and 1. There's .1 and .12 and .112 and an infinite collection of others. Of course, there is a bigger infinite set of numbers between 0 and 2, or between 0 and a million. Some infinities are bigger than other infinities. A writer we used to like taught us that. There are days, many of them, when I resent the size of my unbounded set. I want more numbers than I'm likely to get, and God, I want more numbers for Augustus Waters than he got. But, Gus, my love, I cannot tell you how thankful I am for our little infinity. I wouldn't trade it for the world. You gave me a forever within the numbered days, and I'm grateful.”
― The Fault in Our Stars
― The Fault in Our Stars
“What's that?"
"The laundry basket?"
"No, next to it."
"I don't see anything next to it."
"It's my last shred of dignity. It's very small.”
― The Fault in Our Stars
"The laundry basket?"
"No, next to it."
"I don't see anything next to it."
"It's my last shred of dignity. It's very small.”
― The Fault in Our Stars
Reading Progress
Finished Reading
July 19, 2012
– Shelved
December 14, 2013
– Shelved as:
loved-while-reading-but-forgettable
April 23, 2014
– Shelved as:
when-sparks-don-t-fly
Started Reading
April 27, 2014
–
0.0%
"You know what? The movie's coming out soon and I want to write a coherent review on this. Reread."
April 27, 2014
–
Finished Reading
April 28, 2014
–
26.0%
"I bet if this book was in alternating POVs, it would be a bigger mindfuck than Allegiant."
April 29, 2014
–
69.0%
"Do hotel rooms have condoms or did Gus just happen to have a condom on him because he knew he'd hook up with Hazel?"
April 30, 2014
– Shelved as:
not-worth-the-hype
April 30, 2014
– Shelved as:
good-but-not-great
April 30, 2014
– Shelved as:
real-problems
January 23, 2015
– Shelved as:
pretentious-indie-record-listeners
March 2, 2016
– Shelved as:
get-a-life-pixie-girl
Comments Showing 1-38 of 38 (38 new)
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Faye
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rated it 2 stars
Apr 30, 2014 04:02PM
haha I feel the same about tfios too.
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I'm glad I'm not the only one who doesn't really like it :)
This. I haven't read it and probably won't
Mairéad (stuck at the Edge of Nothingness) wrote: "This. I haven't read it and probably won't unless I somehow borrow a copy but I've had bad luck with John Green books. x:"Yeah, he recycles his characters.
Hahaha, this was a really funny review, and you managed to pinpoint all the goods and bads about this book. And the guilt of not rating a cancer book five stars.. I felt the same. :l
Inge wrote: "Hahaha, this was a really funny review, and you managed to pinpoint all the goods and bads about this book. And the guilt of not rating a cancer book five stars.. I felt the same. :l"Thanks!
My 4 stars for this book were all for Gus. I wobbled between 4 and 5 stars but that was Gus-love blinding me. I will shamelessly admit that my inner teenage girl fell hard for him and would happily have read 600 pages of him and his bff being mean to that bitchy ex-girlfriend. I did not care for Hazel. She was just page filler to me. I completely agree with this review.
Natalie wrote: "Mairéad (stuck at the Edge of Nothingness) wrote: "This. I haven't read it and probably won't unless I somehow borrow a copy but I've had bad luck with John Green books. x:"Yeah, he recycles his ..."
I don't know about recycling characters since the only other Green book I've read is Paper Towns but that one was not as entertaining to me as FIOS but then I chalk that up to Gus-Love.
Also, didn't see the movie because Elgort is #NotMy
When I first read that I gave it 4 stars. I feel like if I read it again I'd give it a 2 or 3 stars... as much as I love John Green. lol
@Nicqui Gus was meh to me. I liked him well enough on my first read, but then I started thinking how I'd view a guy who stuck a cigarette in his mouth, just waiting for someone to ask him what he's up to, in real life. Take your pretentious, hipster ass home. XDPaper Towns is too preachy, imo. The movie is really pushing the Maniac Pixie Dream Girl element.
@Rachel John Green rubs me the wrong way. He's too arrogant. :P
I can see how you would think that. Honestly, the time I read his stuff I'll probably feel the same way. I don't agree with a lot of the stuff he says. that's why I stopped watching his YouTube videos.
Yes, yes, YES! I agree with all the points in this review! I wish I had read this after I started writing reviews. And I hate it when authors try to manipulate your feelings. Not nice. But amazing review all the same!P.S.: I love the conversations between the nice and cynical Natalies. I usually have conversations like that myself while thinking how to rate/review a book.
Ugh. And you know what else I hate? The "Some infinities are bigger than other infinities." quote. I've used taht phrase my whole life, and now if I say it, I'm quoting John Green. -_-
@Natalie, the funny thing is, while I was reading FIOS adult me keep side-eyeing teenaged me for all the faux-deep, hipster pretension. I think my review even spoke to that, but teenaged me just said, 'shut up, he's dreamy' and wouldn't listen. There was internal conflict. I've left that argument alone. Teenaged me can win this round because I'm never reading this book again or watching this movie. All teen-me will have are her ever-fading memories.
Vane wrote: "Ugh. And you know what else I hate? The "Some infinities are bigger than other infinities." quote. I've used taht phrase my whole life, and now if I say it, I'm quoting John Green. -_-"I used to like that quote. But now I see it all the time and it irritates me. :P
I usually bring out Nice/Cynical Natalie when a book has equally good and bad points. And honestly, they fun to write. XD
This has to be the best TFioS review I've read so far. I don't really see why John Green's books are hyped like he's a god, to be honest. Maybe I'm too old :P
Vicky wrote: "This has to be the best TFioS review I've read so far. I don't really see why John Green's books are hyped like he's a god, to be honest. Maybe I'm too old :P"Hype lies. See Exhibit A: Twilight, and Exhibit B: Fifty Shades of Gray.
Natalie wrote: "Vicky wrote: "This has to be the best TFioS review I've read so far. I don't really see why John Green's books are hyped like he's a god, to be honest. Maybe I'm too old :P"Hype lies. See Exhibit A: Twilight, and Exhibit B: Fifty Shades of Gray. "
the horror, the horror
Natalie wrote: "Vicky wrote: "This has to be the best TFioS review I've read so far. I don't really see why John Green's books are hyped like he's a god, to be honest. Maybe I'm too old :P"Hype lies. See Exhibit..."
This accuracy.
As I thought, Cynical Natalie nailed it. It is a lovely book but it's a little holey and I'm sure it got a few pity stars (even from me).
As I thought, Cynical Natalie nailed it. It is a lovely book but it's a little holey and I'm sure it got a few pity stars (even from me).
Victoria wrote: "As I thought, Cynical Natalie nailed it. It is a lovely book but it's a little holey and I'm sure it got a few pity stars (even from me)."Cynical Natalie: *preens* I told my other self that 4.35 rating is all pity stars.
Laughed so hard because I was wondering where the latex came from, too.
Nadia wrote: "Laughed so hard because I was wondering where the latex came from, too."Cancer perks: the mysterious power to conjure condoms from thin air.
Rashida wrote: "Honestly, the only book I really, really loved my John Green was Looking for Alaska. That one hit home for me."Looking for Alaska is quite good, though Alaska the character is unrealistic. XD
I have not read the book yet should I?
Sandstorm wrote: "I have not read the book yet should I?"It's worth a read. The majority of the globe seems to like it. :P
Thanks Natalie,Great review by the way!
PS.I sent you a friend request so please say yes.
THANK YOU- someone who agrees with me on John Green!
Catherine K. Strez wrote: "THANK YOU- someone who agrees with me on John Green!"<3
Wonderful review hun... we had alot of the same thoughts on this one.
TL wrote: "Wonderful review hun... we had alot of the same thoughts on this one."WELCOME SISTER
Nicer than me, I gave it a one.
Your reviews remind me of Cindy. Love it!
God, I enjoyed reading your review more than I enjoyed reading the book.
Maddy wrote: "God, I enjoyed reading your review more than I enjoyed reading the book."Thanks!
Terrific review Natalie 💜
This was a stellar review, made me laugh.
