I am Hazel

Hazel from The Fault in Our stars is absolutely me. I see so much of myself in her, but I guess that is true with most books I read. I put myself into the characters and think of their emotions as my own. She has a big circumstance in her life that has both shaped her personality and made her grow up much faster than others her age. Those same circumstances have caused her to close in on herself and keep few friends. She thinks deeply about her books, her life, and Augustus. While not really on the same scale as Hazel's handicap, My sister's disability has shaped my life and allowed me experience heavier responsibilities at an earlier age. Being a caretaker has allowed me to see the reality of situations and the real struggles that people have to deal with. This, in turn, made me turn into myself. I overthink everything and endlessly ponder thoughts, quotes, actions, and books in my mind. What is the meaning? I wouldn't call myself anti-social, but I am surely not the most popular person either. I like alone time just like Hazel. I love that time to read and think. And again, just like Hazel, My mom is one of my best friends and she gets all happy and giddy every time I bring my boyfriend over. Her reaction so paralleled to Hazel's mom it is almost crazy. I love the connection I feel with Hazel and I can already tell that it will be hard to part with this book once it ends.

The Fault in Our Stars...

I just started reading The Fault in Our Stars. Everyone I have talked to has said it is such a good book. The language the author uses is so snappy and witty. I feel well educated just reading the book. However, it seems odd. Most teenagers around Hazel and Augustus's age do not talk like that on a regular basis. Some of their language seems above their years. I have to wonder if they are talking like that simply because the author is well-educated and likes that sort of banter, or if she is trying to portray the wealth of knowledge that comes with dealing and experiencing situations beyond your years, like cancer? I want to believe it the latter. Personally, this sort of dialog intrigues me and keeps me reading with the inability to stop. I crave more of this conversation in my daily life. While I am by no means dumb, I rarely have moments where I am alert enough to talk in this manner. The Fault in Our Stars keeps death in the back of the readers mind, but the vitality of the characters screams life.