Hellobee Boards

1) John Green uses the voice of a female teenager for his narrator. How do you think he did? Do you buy it? I buy it, she's a very intellegent teenager as well as college educated, so even though I think she gets a little long winded,it seemed in tow with her personality & interest in literature.

2) 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? I don't think it's a "cancer" book per say. I had no trouble picking it up, I had a hard time putting it down even though I wanted to not finish it because (I have finished) beause I didn't want to be over. I had people tell me how great it was and I 100% agree. I expected it to be wonderful and it was.

3) What did you make of the book's humor? Is it appropriate or inappropriate? Green has said he "didn't want to use humor to lighten the mood" or "to pull out the easy joke" when things got hard. But, he said, he likes to write about "clever kids, [and they] tend to be funny even when things are rough." Is his use of humor successful? How did it affect the way you read the book?
I laughed out loud several times, I love the characters interactions & their sense of humor even in the light of what they are going through. they are still teenagers, teenagers are often inappropriate & have a knack for making people feel uncomfortable, I loved the way that came across in the writing!

Full disclosure, I already finished the book, so that might influence my answers, but I won't give anything away!!

1) John Green uses the voice of a female teenager for his narrator. How do you think he did? Do you buy it?

I think he did a really good job, especially with the tone. I could totally picture a teenage girl saying the things Hazel said. I did think that she and Augustus seemed a bit more intelligent/sophisticated/deep than the average teen, but I feel like that was attributed to the experiences they'd had vs. other teens.

2) 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?

I didn't think it was a "cancer book" per se. I thought it was more about life and how everyone deals differently with the hand they are dealt and the knowledge that someday, whether it be tomorrow or 50 years from now, they will die. It seemed to be about how different people view what constitutes a valuable life and a life lived to the fullest, and it just happened to be portrayed through the veil of cancer.

I didn't have trouble picking up the book. It did affect me on a deeper emotional level than I thought it would, though, and made me think more than I thought it would, as well. I thought it was excellent.

3) What did you make of the book's humor? Is it appropriate or inappropriate? Green has said he "didn't want to use humor to lighten the mood" or "to pull out the easy joke" when things got hard. But, he said, he likes to write about "clever kids, [and they] tend to be funny even when things are rough." Is his use of humor successful? How did it affect the way you read the book?

I loved the humor in the book, it was very well done. It even seemed realistic, since I believe a lot of people use humor to deal with serious issues. I didn't find it inappropriate at all, I think it only added to the book.

1) It never crossed my mind that the writer was a middle-aged man, so yes. She reminded me a little of the movie character Juno because of her realistic outlook and dry sense of humor.

2) I didn't vote for any books this month because I don't like reading sad books because they make me sad. I was hesitant to start it but I just made sure to read it in the bath or when I was home alone. I consider this a "cancer book", but I don't think it sucks. Cancer is scary. I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed it more than I thought it would probably because of the humor.

3) I enjoyed the humor, although I don't think it was completely realistic. Too quick and comfortable - I feel like there should have been more awkward moments for two teenagers.

1) I bought it, and he did a good job. I didn't always view it as a "female" voice.

2) At points it was a book about cancer. I didn't have a hard time picking it up. I don't mind sad books. Especially about life. I think it keeps yous grounded and grateful and aware!

3) I LOVED the humor. Dry humor, clever kids getting by to make the most out of a shitty situation.