Intro: Hazel Grace is a 16 year old that has been living with Stage 4 Thyroid cancer with metastasis on her lungs since she was 13. Augustus Waters suddenly appears in her support group and catches her eye.

An Imperial Affliction: Hazel’s favorite novel was An Imperial Affliction. Seemed that Peter Van Houten (author) understood her in weird and impossible ways. “… was my book in the way my body was my body and my thoughts were my thoughts.” As close of a thing that she had to a bible. Peter Van Houten was the only person she’d come across who seemed to understand what it’s like to be dying, and not have died. o An Imperial Affliction plays a huge role in this story.

The Impact Cancer Had: Augustus Waters: Hazel Grace Lancaster: Had his leg amputated. Went to support group for his friend, Isaac. Met Hazel there. Was granted genie wish that he used for Amsterdam. Parents were overprotective. Has to use oxygen tanks to breath well. Friends with Isaac from support group. Went to support group to please her mother. Parents always treated her as a child and were always by her side.  This brings both characters in the novel closer because it gave them something to relate to from the moment they met. Both experienced “cancer perks”.

Eight Days Prior to His Death... Augustus held his own pre-funeral with Hazel and Isaac at the Literal Heart of Jesus. He had them prepare eulogies. Needless to say, it got fairly emotional for everyone involved- everyone except Augustus.

Augustus Waters is a LIAR. “…I figured since I’m in reasonably good spirits, there’s no time like the present.” Augustus Waters is dying. He knows that and having a pre-funeral is his way of coping. He also uses humor to cope. His logic: if he doesn’t laugh, he’ll cry, so he might as well laugh.

Peter Van Houten “Grief does not change you, it reveals you.” Hazel dressed like Anna when she visited his house. He left most of her questions unanswered and that just frustrated and perplexed Hazel. He’s had past experiences with cancer. His own daughter was diagnosed with leukemia and died when she was 8. Anna (main character) in An Imperial Affliction was based on his daughter. o Van Houten was devastated because he’s lived with pain his whole life.

Depressed Dependent Reserved Burden Outgoing Happy Excited Independent In love Enlightened Torn Apart Annoyed Accepting Grateful Content Hazel’s Personality Throughout the Story Information given from book. Words from prior knowledge.

Esther Earl The girl who John Green dedicated the book to. She died from leukemia in 2010.