The Fault in our Stars

John Green's novel about two teenagers falling in love whilst living with cancer is so much more than a book for "YA" young adults. Although the premise sounds like a straight forward story of ill-fated young love with the potential for schmaltz and tears, what makes it so special and a fantastic read is the philosophical and almost fourth wall breaking approach by the author. The dialogue is witty and sharp, with the two young lovers sparring and delving into deep discussions over mortality.

Having read a novel, "An Imperial Affection", which ends mid sentence, Hazel and Augustus are so frustrated to know what happened to the characters after the story ends, that they travel to Amsterdam to try and find answers from the author. The author has become a drunk nihilist following his own daughter's death by cancer and refuses to give them any clues - they are just characters in a novel and when the story ends, they cease to exist.

Does this apply to real life to? Once all those people that remember us have passed away, are we no better than a fictional character?