The Fault in Our Stars (John Green) Chapters 11-15

At this point in the story we begin to see that, yes indeed, after all, this is a “chick flick” kind of book.  Not that “chick flicks” are all that bad.  Even “Mama Mia” had its good points from a male perspective – if you mute the sound during Pierce Brosnan’s singing…  Did John Green pull a fast one here? Suckering the guys into a really cool story before going all teary-eyed on us?  I’m sure there are guys who will feel that way.  But by now, we care enough about the characters not to put the book down unfinished.  It is still, page by page, a real pleasure to read.  Did I get teary-eyed myself?  HA!  Well, okay, maybe a little…

The scenery in Amsterdam is depicted with just enough description to give us a little mini-vacation of the mind, without going into too much detail.  We all wanted to go there anyway, just more so now.  The cabbie really nails it.  (“Amsterdam is like the rings of a tree: It gets older as you get closer to the center.”  And, “Our city has a rich history, even though many tourists are only wanting to see the Red Light District.”  He paused.  “Some tourists think Amsterdam is a city of sin, but in truth it is a city of freedom.  And in freedom, most people find sin.”  Nicely phrased, as Gus and Hazel’s dad would say.

Later, at home, Hazel and Gus reminisce over a dinner prepared by Gus’s mom.  (Gus, swallowing a bite:  “You know, the primary taste I’m getting is not-Oranjee.”  Me:  “It does not taste like God Himself cooked heaven into a series of five dishes which were then served to you accompanied by several luminous balls of fermented, bubbly plasma while actual and literal flower petals floated down all around your canal-side dinner table.”  Gus:  “Nicely phrased.”  Gus’s father:  “Our children are weird.”  My dad:  “Nicely phrased.”)

But this section is really about two major events:  the meeting with Van Houten, and the rather sudden nosedive of Gus’s health as cancer attacks him again with a vengeance.  The fact that the meeting with the idolized author of their favorite book turns into a confrontation with a disillusioned drunk illustrates perfectly one of the essential phrases that the teenagers use to each other; “Apparently the world is not a wish-granting factory.”  After escaping from the lair of this madman, they go to see the Anne Frank Huis, as his assistant puts it; the scene of the famous story of the Diary of Anne Frank.   This is expertly described, along with the teenagers having to surmount a lot of rather steep stairs – a major undertaking for Hazel with her oxygen tank and “crap lungs” and the beginning of the revelation of Gus’s condition.  Overcome with emotion, they have their first really passionate kiss, only to discover themselves surrounded by the on-looking tour guests.  Hazel thinks they’ll all be outraged at the choice of venue for such passion, but at the end, the “audience” roundly applauds and shouts.  These are, after all, Europeans!  Great scene.

But now we have to witness Gus deteriorating under the influence of some fancy experimental drugs.  He hates being pitied as much as Hazel, as much as any cancer victim.  Partly to keep his own spirits up, he takes now-blind Isaac to the house of the girl who dumped him and directs him in throwing eggs at her car.  Near the end, the girl’s mother opens the front door, aghast, but Gus has great presence of mind.  (“Ma’am … your daughter’s car has just been deservedly egged by a blind man.  Please close the door and go back inside or we’ll be forced to call the police.”)  Priceless.





Next week:  Conclusion