Kilbourn Public Library Book Club

The Kilbourn Public Library Book Discussion Group has chosen The Fault in Our Stars by John Green for the November book selection.


The Fault in Our Stars is John Green's most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.


Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis.  But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group,  Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.


How would you describe the two main characters, Hazel and Gus?  Do either of them conform, in behavior or thinking, to what we normally associate with young cancer patients? 


How do Hazel and Gus each relate to their cancer?


At one point, Hazel says, "Cancer books suck."  Is this a book about cancer?  Did you have trouble picking up the book to read it?  What were you expecting?  Were those expectations met...or did the book alter your ideas?


What do you think about Peter Van Houten, the fictional author of An Imperial Affliction?   This book's real author, John Green, has said that Van Houten is a "horrible, horrible person but I have an affection for him."  Why might Green have said that?  What do you think of Van Houten?


How did you experience this book?  Is it too sad, too tragic to contemplate?  Or did you find it in some way uplifting?


Let us know what you think of The Fault in Our Stars.