On Thanksgiving Day 2009, 12-year-old Esther Earl was diagnosed with thyroid cancer after experiencing abnormal chest pain and fatigue. Today, her short but powerful story is a 400-plus page manifestation of the fullness even the shortest lives can have.
“This Star Won’t Go Out” chronicles the life of Earl, whom many believe was the inspiration for John Green’s best selling novel “The Fault in Our Stars.” The book starts out with an introduction by Green, Earl’s favorite author and close friend. While he claims that his novel is only dedicated to Earl — not based on her — there are many similarities between the two, including that they both use an oxygen tank, have pixie haircuts, thyroid cancer and a deep love for literature.
Speculation aside, the book is not about Green, “The Fault in Our Stars” or even cancer. It’s about Earl.
The novel is Earl’s posthumously published work made up of a compilation of her journal entries, message-board conversations and drawings. In addition to her own work, there is input from friends, family and Earl’s parents, Lori and Wayne, who were the main force behind compiling her writings and getting them published.
“This Star Won’t Go Out” chronicles the life of Earl, whom many believe was the inspiration for John Green’s best selling novel “The Fault in Our Stars.” The book starts out with an introduction by Green, Earl’s favorite author and close friend. While he claims that his novel is only dedicated to Earl — not based on her — there are many similarities between the two, including that they both use an oxygen tank, have pixie haircuts, thyroid cancer and a deep love for literature.
Speculation aside, the book is not about Green, “The Fault in Our Stars” or even cancer. It’s about Earl.
The novel is Earl’s posthumously published work made up of a compilation of her journal entries, message-board conversations and drawings. In addition to her own work, there is input from friends, family and Earl’s parents, Lori and Wayne, who were the main force behind compiling her writings and getting them published.
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