Many, many light years ago I read a weeper called Love Story. They made a movie out of it. The tag line was "love means never having to say you're sorry". Ali McGraw died beautifully; Ryan O'Neal was golden, tearful and heroic. Since then I have read many books in which a lover dies and seen many movies with death as a theme. Oh, how I cried when I read this new young adult novel by the Printz Medal (best book for young adults given by The American Library Association). What is sadder than a 20something dying tragically? How about having the death occur to a teenager and how about having all the teens in the story of horrible health issues? There is Isaac who has lost sight in one eye and is told that his condition has worsened and he will lose the other eye. There is Hazel, who has been given a tumor-shrinking miracle, but knows that death is inevitable and has to drag around oxygen since her lungs are severely damaged and golden boy Augustus, basketball varsity hot shot who loses his leg to cancer. They meet in church at a group session for youth with severe health issues. Despite her resolve to not make any attachments with people outside of her parents, Hazel falls in love with Augustus. Unlike the characters in Love Story, these are the most articulate, intelligent teens I have come across. (The title comes from a discussion they had about Shakespeare).
To say that Hazel is passionate about a book of fiction by an obscure author is not the point. It is about the only work of fiction she talks about. She gives the book to Augustus and he is equally wowed. Both try to communicate with the author to find out what happens to the characters since a sequel was never published.
This results in their trip to visit him in Amsterdam. (Hey, Augustus uses his dying kid wish to get him, Hazel and her mom to Amsterdam). I know, you think you can guess the rest of the plot. You are so wrong. Just be sure to have the Kleenex ready when you read.
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