The Fault In Our Stars - Movie Talk

Okay, so I don't normally review movies. I watch a lot of movies, I own a lot of them, I am a big fan of the DVD and not such a massive fan of actually going to the cinema because it annoys the life out of me that people cannot sit and be quiet just for a few hours, they have to sit there on their phones, talking, rustling, making unnecessary noise and it annoys me... But, I want to do something a bit different around here and since I have just gotten back from seeing The Fault In Our Stars movie adaptation at the time of writing this originally, I thought, why not review movie adaptations of your favourite books? I wanted to do this when I saw Divergent at the UK and Europe premiere in March, but for some reason I just never got around to doing it... So here I am...

The Fault In Our Stars.

Having read the book when it originally came out early in 2012, just the name of the book is enough to ignite strong feelings, "feels" it has been branded by some. Just those five words together in that sentence is enough to make me feel giddy, miserable and elated, all at the same time. When I first heard that there was going to be a movie adaptation I was both excited and scared... Would they do it right? Would they do it justice? Would it affect me as much as the book did...

Well... As I write this I'm sitting on my bed just a few hours after watching the film at my local cinema and I've gotten my answers. Yes, they did it right. Yes, they did it justice. And yes, it affected me as much as the book did. Lord almighty I sobbed and sniffled and laughed, and cried again as the story so many have fallen in love with plays out before your very eyes. I cannot begin to explain just what an experience seeing this movie was. We arrived early and the cinema was already packed, in fact the cinema posted on Facebook earlier that day that it had already sold out! It took us a while to find a set of seats together and once we did, we settled in for the feels! And boy oh boy did we feel!

The cinema was filled with laughs, oohs and aahs at the sweet moments and complete hysterical sobbing at the sad moments, in fact one girl behind me sounded like she was about to stop breathing she was crying that much. 

The performances! Oh boy! I knew Shailene would be amazing because she blew me away earlier in the year as Tris Prior in Divergent and I knew Ansel would be great too because he did an awesome job as Caleb in Divergent, and the fact that he is smoking hot. But I was not prepared for the utter slayage that was about to play out before my eyes. They were perfect. The chemistry was amazing, so palpable and real you could almost taste it. They fit so well together and just look so natural. They were simply amazing. Ansel has such amazing timing that some of the lines that Augustus had in the book make you physically laugh out loud. His timing is so perfect.

But it wasn't just the main 2 who were amazing. Laura Dern and Sam Trammell were brilliant as Hazel's parents, Nat Wolff was hilarious as Isaac and had me in stitches during the Night of the Broken Trophies scene. 

Honestly, if you have read the book, you'll love it. If you haven't, you'll live it just as much. It has to be one of the most beautiful movies I have ever watched. It's poignant, touching and so thought-provoking, just like the book it is based on. I loved the little things, the voice over, the way the film begins, the way text messages and emails appeared on the screen and OMG the ending. THAT ENDING!!! Can we talk about the ending?!?! LORD!!! It was perfect and I had hoped it would end that way since watching the trailer and I have to say I am so happy that that's the way it ended!

I cannot thank 20th Century Fox, Josh Boone, John Green and all the cast enough for giving us the film of our dreams. It literally is perfect and has to be the closest film adaptation of a book I have ever seen. It is literally the book and I have to say I loved it! I cannot wait to watch it again and again! I'm seeing it again this Saturday (today, if you're reading this because it's just gone live...) and I'm supposed to be going again with another friend. I don't think I'm ready. I wasn't ready the first time and judging by how much I cried I'll be bone dry for a while to come! Bring on the DVD!!!

5/5.

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green [Review]

Written by: John Green.

Published by: Dutton/Penguin.

Format: Hardback.

Released: 10th January 2012.

Rating: 5/5.

Official synopsis: "Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now. Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means) Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault. Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly, to her interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind."

The Fault In Our Stars is the first book by John Green that I have ever read. I've heard fellow bloggers rave and rave and rave about him, but I've just, for one reason or another, picked up one of his books. When it was announced that this book was coming out in 2012, and I heard the premise, I knew that maybe, just maybe, this was the book to kick-start my John Green reading experience. And the fact that he was signing 150,000 copies of the book also made me want a copy even more! Even so, when I got my copy earlier this week, courtesy of the amazing Book Depository, I was a bit apprehensive. This book is all about cancer, there's no denying it. I've lost several family members through cancer, and even had a cancer scare myself when I was 16. If Green was really as good a writer as people said he was, how was I going to react?

Also, I didn't want the book to be a let down... Anyway, I started reading. And instantly I was caught up in Green's writing. It's so fluid, almost lyrical and I couldn't take my eyes away from the page. As already mentioned, yes, it's a book about cancer. But it's so much more than that. It's about the pity you receive when you have cancer and so so many other things beside. It almost has a cynical view of the disease, and how people feel towards those that pity them. 

Despite it's dark themes and premise, this book has so many laugh out loud moments that at points, you almost forgot that the main character, a strong willed sixteen year old called Hazel, is here dying. Yes, she's a miracle in the sense that she's still alive, but she cannot get around the fact that she will die - and sooner rather than later. As she finds out through her friends at Support Group who also are dying...

What I really like about the book though is that I never once truly pitied the characters. I felt for them, cared about them, and were sad for them, but I didn't pity them. It showed that not everyone who is ill wants people to fuss around them, to worry and to hover.

I have to say, I'm finding it hard to sum up how I feel about this book, and no doubt this review is a little messy, but I'll be honest with you. I loved it. Every second. Every word. Every page. John Green has crafted something so beautiful, so read, so brutally honest and yet so funny that I fail to see how people can dislike this book in any way shape or form. It spoke to me (although, when you read the book you'll see that not all books speak to people as the authors wish them to - don't worry, I'm not being weird here... it's part of the book...), after reading it, and I'll admit a few tears, I sat back and really evaluated the life I have. It's that sort of book. Infuriatingly thought provoking, but in a good way.


It was a really haunting read and it made me think, do people going through cancer really feel this way? How would I of been if my scare hadn't been just a scare? Would I be the same in Hazel's situation? and I have to say that at times reading it, I had a little knot in my stomach. Haunting... But beautifully and masterfully written. I know I throw this word around a lot, but it was so addictive. Like I just could not let go.


Only one minor criticism that I have, and it is very minor, and I just remembered it because I used the word in the last sentence... Like is said. A LOT! And I mean a lot. Not just by one character, but several. And I have to admit, it started to nag me, but otherwise... amazing. I don't really like it when characters call another by their full, or first and middle, names. It just niggles me, and it is used in this book a lot, but I choose to overlook it as the book is just too damn good!

I cannot thank John Green enough for being such a genius. I cannot wait to get stuck into his back catalogue of work, and look forward to whatever he publishes next. You just have to read this one. Just do it.

Buy from Amazon UK

News: Trailer for John Green's The Fault In Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green comes out next week and I for one am blooming excited! I've never read one of his books but this one sounds fantastic and I cannot wait to get my grubby mits on it! Pre-ordered so I get a signed copy! Could be a good place to start my John Green collection, no? I hope so as my fellow bloggers rave about his books and I want to join in too!

Anyway, his US publisher have now released a trailer for the book and it's beautiful! Check it out below, and make sure you're in line (or online...) to get your copy on 10th January! That's this Tuesday folks! Be there!

2012: Books of Interest (Part 1)

So with just over 2 weeks left of the year, the time has come to look forward to what 2012 has in store for us! One thing that spings to mind instantly is The Hunger Games movie which I for one am DYING to see! I'm also looking forward to all the little companion things, including the official guide written by Suzanne Collins herself! But anyway, this is about books... So, here are some books that have me salivating at the mouth, all due to be published throughout 2012!

Kickstarting the year, there are a few titles I'm looking forward to in JANUARY! First up, The Fault In Out Stars by John Green. Much to the dismay of some of my fellow bloggers, I have never read any of John's previous work (I shall prepare for some abuse, most likely from Iffath... I'm watching you!) but this sounds so good and I love the cover. Have a copy on pre-order thanks to The Book Depo and it sounds a little like this...

Official synopsis: "Diagnosed with Stage IV thyroid cancer at 12, Hazel was prepared to die until, at 14, a medical miracle shrunk the tumours in her lungs... for now. Two years post-miracle, sixteen-year-old Hazel is post-everything else, too post-high school, post-friends and post-normalcy. And even though she could live for a long time (whatever that means) Hazel lives tethered to an oxygen tank, the tumours tenuously kept at bay with a constant chemical assault. Enter Augustus Waters. A match made at cancer kid support group, Augustus is gorgeous, in remission, and shockingly, to her interested in Hazel. Being with Augustus is both an unexpected destination and a long-needed journey, pushing Hazel to re-examine how sickness and health, life and death, will define her and the legacy that everyone leaves behind."

Having lost family members (Total count so far of 4) to cancer, this sounds like it's going to be a heart-wrencher!

It also sees the publication of the second Casper Candlewacks adventure. It's called The Claw's of Crime and I can't wait. I loved the first book, Death by Pigeon (which I should be reviewing soon) and recently read it again. It's only a little book and it is aimed at younger readers (it says 9+ on the back... I'm only 10 years older... it's okay...) but it is so funny and such a good read! 

Official synopsis: "Most villages have an idiot but Casper's village is full of them. So being bright makes poor Casper something of an outsider. An infamous cat burglar has struck in the village of Corne-on-the-Kobb, stealing a precious jewelled sword and kidnapping Casper’s baby sister. To make matters worse a gaggle of amateur detectives are on the case, questioning the villagers and getting in the way. Armed only with his wits, an egg-boiling lie-detecting machine and his best friend Lamp, can Casper rescue his sister and save the day?"

FEBRUARY will see the release of Hollow Pike by James Dawson, courtesy of Orion Children's Books. I've raved about how much I want this book both here and on twitter, and as soon as I actually do get a copy, you will all know... You'll hear me shout with joy, I believe. If not, there'll be a twitpic with lots of !!!!!!!!!! marks... And such a beautiful cover. I hope it's shiny and has foil!!! (You hear me, Orion?!!)

Official synopis: "Lis London moves to Hollow Pike looking for a fresh start. She's intrigued by the town's sinister history of witchcraft, ritual and witchfinders. But when a fellow teen is murdered in the woods in what appears to be a ritual killing, Lis starts to wonder whether the witches are really history after all... Who is the mysterious figure caught on camera in the trees at the time of the murder? Could he be the killer? And do Lis's ominous nightmares of being murdered in the forest mean that she might be the next to die?"

Marvelous!

We also get this little beauty! Advent by James Treadwell. It looks beautiful, and it currently sitting on my "to read" pile. It sounds fantastic and I for one can't wait to get stuck in!

Official synopsis: "For centuries it has been locked away. Lost beneath the sea. Warded from earth, air, water, fire, spirits, thought and sight. But now magic is rising to the world once more. And a boy called Gavin, who thinks only that he is a city kid with parents who hate him, and knows only that he sees things no one else will believe, is boarding a train, alone, to Cornwall. No one will be there to meet him."

Creepy!

Then in MARCH, another very exciting release! The second Department 19 book, by Will Hill! Titled The Rising, the cover is quite literally on fire! HarperCollin's design department have taken what was already a very striking image from the first book, made a few changes and then set it ablaze and made it even more eye-catching! Reviewed the first book in this series earlier today, and this is perhaps one of my most anticipated releases for 2012.

Official synopsis: "The pulse-pounding sequel to DEPARTMENT 19 – “The best action horror story I have ever read” according to Bookzoneforboys… DEPARTMENT 6 IS THE ARMY. DEPARTMENT 13 IS MI5. DEPARTMENT 19 IS ALL THAT STANDS BETWEEN YOU AND THE END OF THE WORLD. After the terrifying attack on Lindisfarne at the end of the first book, Jamie, Larissa and Kate are recovering at Department 19 headquarters, waiting for news of Dracula’s stolen ashes. They won’t be waiting for long. Vampire forces are gathering. Old enemies are getting too close. And Dracula… is rising."

Eep! What is going to happen next?! 

In April, Simon and Schuster UK will publish Michelle Harrison's first offering since she finished her Thirteen series/trilogy. It's called Unrest, and it's out right at the end of the month. Not much is known... there's no cover art yet, but we do have a synopsis and it sounds deliciously ghosty!

Official synopsis: "Seventeen-year-old Elliott hasn't slept properly for six months. Not since the accident that nearly killed him. Now he is afraid to go to sleep. Sometimes he wakes to find himself paralysed, unable to move a muscle, while shadowy figures move around him. Other times he is the one moving around, while his body lies asleep on the bed. According to his doctor, sleep paralysis and out of body experiences are harmless - but to Elliot they're terrifying. Convinced that his brush with death has opened up connections with the spirit world, Elliott secures a live-in job at one of England's most haunted locations, determined to find out the truth. There he finds Sebastian, the ghost of a long-dead servant boy hanged for stealing bread. He also meets the living, breathing Ophelia, a girl with secrets of her own. She and Elliott grow closer, but things take a terrifying turn when Elliott discovers Sebastian is occupying his body when he leaves it. And the more time Sebastian spends inhabiting a living body, the more resistant he becomes to giving it back. Worse, he seems to have an unhealthy interest in Ophelia. Unless Elliott can lay Sebastian's spirit to rest, he risks being possessed by him for ever, and losing the girl of his dreams..."

Join me in a chorus of "I WANT... RIGHT NOW!!!"