“The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green follows the life of 16-year-old, well-read Hazel Grace Lancaster as it intertwines with that of Augustus Waters. The 17-year-old Waters is described as enigmatic, charismatic and hot. Hazel Grace meets Augustus at a cancer victims support group where he is forthright in his flirting with her.

Though she is skeptical of his affections, they eventually grow to understand each other. Through a shared love of reading, a hunger to know the real ending to the ambiguously finished novel “An Imperial Affliction” and the struggle of living with cancer, the two fall in “love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.”

If this book was simply about how two people fell deeply in love, it would be good. But because of the thematic ideas, depth of character and unique voice present, it surpasses good to great.

This idea that the Universe is too great and busy to care about individuals is so important to author John Green that he incorporated it into the title. It is a reference to a line from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. Cassius said, “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings.”

Cassius is saying that it isn’t fate or destiny that causes bad things to happen but the fallible human existence. Whereas Green says bad things happen regardless of the individual, and life is ultimately governed by the Universe: it is “The Fault in Our Stars.”

Through the lens of teenagers unfairly forced to face their mortality, Green is able to consider the meaning of life and the rules of the universe. However, his musings wouldn’t mean much if they didn’t come from complex and lovable characters.

Another aspect of this book that makes it great is the characters. Hazel Grace and Augustus, as well as their families and friends, vary from loftily idealistic to drudgingly depressed as they process the effects of love and sickness.

They are all unbelievably witty and genuine. Despite often speaking in fully formed thesis statements, parts of each character are extremely relatable.

Finally, this book is great because of the strong voice of the author. John Green is a 36-year-old man writing the thoughts of a 16-year-old girl. I believed I was reading a 16-year-old girl’s inner dialogue. That is talent.

Altogether, the thought-provoking concepts, quality characters and unique voice tie in perfectly with an unexpected plot to create a truly great love story.

The movie “The Fault in Our Stars” comes out June 6. I encourage you the read the book first and fall in love with the original portrayal of the characters before seeing their simplified versions on-screen.

Warning:

This book cannot be read in one sitting. Several breaks are required to alternately laugh hysterically and sob uncontrollably.