Hazel is telling us her story of being a teenager and a "cancer kid". She is 16 and her "lungs suck at being lungs" because of her cancer (advanced but currently being controlled by a new drug). She meets Augustus at a support group at a local church. Both share not only the same sense of humor - poking fun at the group leader's expressions - but so deep knowledge of what being terminally ill Means to them and the world around them. Both fight, suffer, cry, fall in love, get enthusiastic, and try to grapple for a tiny bit of a normal teenage life.
Both are fascinated by a book, "An Imperial Affliction," Which speaks to them but Directly Which finishes midsentence, with many things being left unsaid. The quest for finding out about the book's characters and Their Destiny "after the end of the book" unites them even more, HOWEVER Surprising its outcome.
The author has managed to write a book about "cancer kids" and to show how, As They Deal With Their affliction, They are so typical adolescents. I truly enjoyed Hazel's voice, her sarcasm, her concern for others, her love for her boyfriend and her family, her struggle to gain some independence and to hold on to her dignity.
The narration is beautifully Performed By Kate Rudd - up to Hazel's gasping for air (this could have been Performed in to overly dramatic way but is in fact very subtle).
This is a touching, oftentimes sad, and a very tenderly told audiobook, not only for adolescents but so for adults. Highly recommended.
Rating: Kate Rudd is not the editor, she is the one who PERFORMS this audiobook.
