The Fault in Our Stars
This week on Novel Ideas we are talking about The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, a YA bestseller about romance, living life to its fullest, and cancer. Oh boy, cancer. This episode is a tad more subdued than usual as we wrestle with the tragedy of the story and our love for this book. There are surprisingly few inappropriate jokes. But more than zero, have no fear. We cover some of the big issues, like metaphor, and oblivion, and metaphors for oblivion. But mostly we gush about how omgamazing this book is.
The music is a possibly recognizable tune that was excerpted from “Consider the Uncommon Man” by David Holsinger. If you make it to the end, you’ll notice it’s been reharmonized in a way that’s a little unsettling. The piece was written as a memorial and seemed appropriate for this episode.
22 – The Fault in Our Stars – The Universe is Not a Wish Factory
Update: A couple quick notes. To give credit where credit is due, the header art this week was drawn by Simini Blocker, rather than pulled from a commercial book cover. Here’s the full image: 
Also, I referenced The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Universe, which is not a thing, and Death Masks, which is a thing, but has nothing to do with necromancers. I’m actually reading Dead Beat, still by Jim Butcher, still part of the Dresden Files. And if you’re here, you’ve probably already figured it out, but the website is actually novelideaspodcast.com, not just novelideas.com. Phew.
Novel Ideas 
September 4, 2012 at 9:56 am
So I don’t think you covered this- but my audio kept stopping and I’d have to guesstimate where you were in the cast whenever I restarted it (my issue. not yours.) so apologies if you did. But you discussed why was Hazel so obsessed with what happened to the characters and I think it had a lot to do with the fact that she was concerned about what would happen to her characters after she dies. There were some parallel characters – the friend, the mom and the potential villain (Dutch Tulip Man) who could have been the fictional author himself. Just my thoughts there. Also I read that John Green is from Indianapolis, so there is that. Overall, great review. Loved the idea of kids reading it in school. And agreed about the inauthentic dialogue.
September 6, 2012 at 8:21 am
That’s a very interesting idea about Hazel’s obsession! It’s hard to say if you’re right without being able to read John Green’s mind, but I will say that I don’t think you’re wrong. #Ben
September 12, 2012 at 6:41 pm
Great Review ! I really like this podcast, I hope you still doing this wonderful work. I would like to hear more quotes you have liked in books. Also, I have a suggestion : What do you think about doing a podcast a book ohter John Green novel “Looking for Alaska”.One more time, congratulations for your podcast.