Hazel's Journey from Isolation to Love and Loss

Hazel Grace Lancaster evolves from a reclusive, depressed cancer patient to a young woman who opens her heart to love and then must endure the devastating loss of that love.

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Hazel's Depressed Winter

Hazel's Depressed Winter The Onset of Depression Hazel Grace Lancaster, a sixteen-year-old with terminal thyroid cancer that has metastasized to her lungs, spends most of her time in bed, reading the same book over and over, and thinking about death. Her mother, concerned, takes her to see Regular Dr. Jim, who diagnoses clinical depression and recommends a weekly Support Group. Reluctant Attendance Hazel resists attending Support Group, arguing that it is depressing and pointless. She negotiates with her mother to record episodes of America's Next Top Model. Ultimately, she goes to please her parents, acknowledging that the only thing worse than dying from cancer is having a child who dies from cancer. The Literal Heart of Jesus At the Support Group, held in the basement of an Episcopal church shaped like a cross, Hazel sits in the Circle of Trust. She finds the meetings bleak and the platitudes insufferable, but she bonds with Isaac, a boy with eye cancer, through shared sighs and silent communication.

Meeting Augustus Waters

Meeting Augustus Waters The Staring Boy At Support Group, Hazel notices a handsome boy staring at her. He is Augustus Waters, a seventeen-year-old osteosarcoma survivor who lost a leg. He is there to support his friend Isaac. Hazel feels self-conscious about her appearance—her puffy steroid face, oxygen cannula, and old clothes—but she meets his gaze. The Staring Contest Hazel and Augustus engage in a silent staring contest. When Augustus finally looks away, Hazel feels a small victory. During introductions, Augustus says he fears oblivion, and Hazel responds with a philosophical speech about the eventual heat death of the universe and the futility of worrying about being forgotten. Augustus is captivated. The First Conversation After the meeting, Augustus approaches Hazel. He compliments her, compares her to Natalie Portman, and invites her to his house to watch V for Vendetta. Hazel is wary but intrigued. She notices his prosthetic leg and his unlit cigarette, which he explains is a metaphor: putting the killing thing between his teeth without giving it the power to kill.

Building a Connection

Building a Connection The Movie Date Hazel goes to Augustus's house to watch V for Vendetta. She meets his parents, Mark and Cindy Waters, who are warm and welcoming. They eat enchiladas and watch the movie. Hazel feels a spark but also a tension; she is aware of her illness and the potential for hurt. Exchanging Books Augustus gives Hazel a copy of The Price of Dawn, a video game novelization, and asks her to read it. In return, Hazel lends him her favorite book, An Imperial Affliction by Peter Van Houten. She is hesitant to share it because it feels deeply personal, but she does. Late-Night Texts and Calls Hazel reads The Price of Dawn quickly and texts Augustus. They begin a pattern of late-night phone calls, discussing books, life, and their shared experiences with cancer. Augustus reads An Imperial Affliction and is deeply affected by its unfinished ending. He contacts Peter Van Houten's assistant, Lidewij Vliegenthart, and receives a cryptic email from the reclusive author.

The Amsterdam Wish

The Amsterdam Wish Augustus's Plan Augustus reveals that he has saved his Wish from The Genie Foundation and wants to use it to take Hazel to Amsterdam to meet Peter Van Houten. He orchestrates a Dutch-themed picnic at the Funky Bones sculpture park, complete with orange tulips, Dutch cheese sandwiches, and a Rik Smits jersey. Hazel's Reluctance Hazel is overwhelmed by the gesture. She feels guilty about using Augustus's Wish for her own dream. She also worries about the cost and the strain on her parents. However, her mother eventually agrees after Dr. Maria gives medical clearance. The Grenade Metaphor Before the trip, Hazel struggles with her identity as a "grenade"—someone who will inevitably hurt those she loves when she dies. She tries to keep Augustus at arm's length, but he refuses to be pushed away. He tells her, "It would be a privilege to have my heart broken by you."

Amsterdam and the Disappointment

Amsterdam and the Disappointment The Journey Hazel, Augustus, and Hazel's mother fly to Amsterdam. Augustus is terrified of flying but exhilarated by the experience. They stay at the Hotel Filosoof. Hazel wears a dress that resembles Anna's from An Imperial Affliction. Dinner at Oranjee Augustus wears his "death suit"—a fine suit he bought for his own funeral. They have a romantic dinner at Oranjee, paid for by Peter Van Houten. They drink champagne, eat exquisite food, and talk about life, death, and love. Augustus confesses his love for Hazel. Meeting Peter Van Houten The next morning, they visit Van Houten's house. He is a drunk, rude, and dismissive. He refuses to answer Hazel's questions about what happens after the end of the book, calling her inquiries childish. Hazel becomes furious and smacks the glass out of his hand. They leave in tears.

The Anne Frank House Kiss

The Anne Frank House Kiss Lidewij's Apology Lidewij Vliegenthart, Van Houten's assistant, is mortified by his behavior. She insists on taking Hazel and Augustus to the Anne Frank House as a consolation. She apologizes profusely. Climbing the Stairs Hazel struggles to climb the steep stairs of the annex, but she is determined. She thinks of Anne Frank and the obligation to witness. Augustus helps her, and they finally reach the top. The Kiss In the room where Anne Frank hid, beneath a video of Otto Frank speaking, Hazel and Augustus kiss. The kiss is witnessed by a crowd of tourists, who applaud. It is a moment of pure joy and connection, a bright spot in the midst of disappointment.

Augustus's Recurrence Revealed

Augustus's Recurrence Revealed The Shadow of the Chestnut Tree Hazel and Augustus sit in the Vondelpark under a chestnut tree. Hazel is still processing the disappointment with Van Houten. Augustus seems distant. The Confession Augustus tells Hazel that before she went into the ICU, he started feeling pain in his hip. A PET scan revealed that his cancer has returned and spread everywhere—his chest, liver, hip. He is terminal. He kept it from her to enjoy Amsterdam. Civil War Hazel is devastated. Augustus explains that his cancer is a civil war with a predetermined winner. He says he doesn't even get a battle. Hazel holds him, and they cry together. She realizes that her fear of being a grenade is now mirrored in him.

The Decline and Death of Augustus

The Decline and Death of Augustus Palliative Care Back in Indianapolis, Augustus begins palliative chemotherapy. He grows weaker, loses weight, and is often in pain. Hazel visits him daily. They play video games, talk, and lie together. The Last Good Day Augustus has a brief period of relative wellness. He organizes a prefuneral at the Support Group, where Isaac and Hazel deliver eulogies. Hazel speaks about infinite numbers and their "little infinity." The Final Night Augustus sneaks out to a gas station to buy cigarettes, but his G-tube malfunctions. Hazel finds him covered in vomit, in agony. She calls an ambulance. He dies eight days later in the ICU, with his family present. Hazel receives the call at 3:30 AM.

Hazel's Grief and Discovery

Hazel's Grief and Discovery The Funeral Hazel speaks at Augustus's funeral. She wears a black dress and sneaks a pack of cigarettes into his coffin. Peter Van Houten appears, drunk, and tries to give her a cryptic answer about the book's ending. Hazel dismisses him. Searching for the Sequel Isaac tells Hazel that Augustus was writing something for her. Hazel searches his room but finds only a Moleskine notebook with pages torn out. She suspects he mailed them to Van Houten. The Letter Hazel emails Lidewij, who finds the pages at Van Houten's house. Van Houten tells her to send them. The letter is Augustus's attempt to write a eulogy for Hazel, explaining that she walks lightly upon the earth and that the real heroes are those who notice things. Hazel reads it and feels a profound connection.

Late winter of her seventeenth year

First Support Group session after Hazel's depression diagnosis

Weeks following the first Support Group meeting

Spring, after Augustus reads An Imperial Affliction

May 3-7, during the Amsterdam trip

Later that same day, after the Van Houten visit

The next morning in Amsterdam, at the Vondelpark café

From return from Amsterdam to Augustus's death (about two months)

After Augustus's funeral, days and weeks later