Most "Interesting" Character

In the Fault in Our Stars, I think that Peter Van Houten, author of Hazel and Gus’ favorite book, is the most interesting character in the story. When he’s first mentioned, Hazel thought so highly of him, as if he was the greatest man in the world and adores his book, An Imperial Affliction. She recommends it to her friend (later boyfriend), Augustus Waters and he soon becomes a fan of Van Houten too.

Later on in the story, Augustus uses his cancer wish so he and Hazel can visit Van Houten in Amsterdam. When his character is first introduced, I immediately noticed that he is a jerk. The reason he moved to Amsterdam was to get away from Americans, even though he is one himself, and wants Hazel and Gus to leave, which I thought was very rude. Not only did Gus use his wish to go to Amsterdam and meet him, him and a sick Hazel (who is also not well enough to be so far away from home) traveled all the way from Indiana just to be disappointed.

Since his book was based on his deceased daughter, I assume that he is still grieving from her death. From the way the story described him and how William Dafoe played his character in the movie version, he’s an alcoholic who has no self-control and absolutely no filter. He was very disrespectful to his assistant, Hazel and Gus during their meeting.

I should actually re-word this statement. I don’t think Peter Van Houten is the most interesting person in the book. I find his story to be the most interesting because John Green only gave bits and pieces throughout The Fault in Our Stars and in the end, it all comes together. I think in ways, he has brought Hazel and Gus together, which is what the entire story is based off of. Their relationship. Both of the main characters bond over this book. They share their love for it, which makes them closer and makes them who they are.

“We pour Scotch into a glass and then call to mind thoughts of water, and then we mix the actual scotch with the abstracted idea of water.”

I think that Peter Van Houten is a very intelligent man who is very stupid.