So today i read The Probability of Miracles, and i think it was an amazing book. I love Cam's cynic, sarcastic humour, and her never-failing love that she constantly grounds her family members with.
Just like TFIOS, this book starts out with the main protagonist having cancer and resigned herself to the thought that she'll be gone in a few more months, if not weeks. the difference is that Cam manages to find a small, tiny portion of miracle for herself whilst TFIOS remains a tragedy through and through. I'm not saying The Probability of Miracles sucked because it went down the line of fantasy, but it differs from TFIOS because oit offers hope and inspiration to a character that has walked down the hard path for too long. Having lived a life restricted by physical exertion, i understand the appeal Maine held for her, yet i also knew how sick and tired she was for having forced to undergo these constant check-ups and medical examinations. As if she was getting any better. Life should just be kind and let her die easily without getting her hopes up anymore, which was sure to result in a lot of future pain for her mother and sister.
This book strips the story of all biased thoughts on whether the guy is handsome or the girl skinny enough because true love doesn't judge. Its one of the things i love most actually. Cam doesn't go through one of those insecure periods where she judges herself and asks, Why me?' Instead she accepts Asher's love wholeheartedly and gives all of hers in return. They don't question each other, they just jump straight into the beauty of having found true and solid love.
It does insert a little realism from time to time. Cam was actually overweight before she was the victim of a terminal disease, before it led her to meeting Asher and having the greatest summer of her short life. A short life well lived regardless, if you ask me.
So she meets Asher, gorgeous hunk and star football player, and he falls sweetly for her. Cam tries to brush him away several times, equivalent to Hazel's attempts to keep everyone safe from her that she may not be a grenade, but he still persists in his feelings. Even in the most romantic of moments, there's a catch that reminds Cam of her place, how caught and trapped she is. One incredibly touching moment is when she receives news of Lily's death, making her situation hellishly real again. What's worse is that she didn't even get to say goodbye to Lily. Yes, there were letters sent, promises kept, but Cam didn't do her part on farewells. It was Lily that sent the final letter. If it was me in her situation, the grief would be painfully etched into my heart, forever reminding of the mistake i cannot undo.
Cam is too caught up in her cancer to actually enjoy the present moment around her, until Asher comes up and shows her how to live. Before that she was angry and bitter at the world, unleashing her dissatisfaction at her mother and sister, a torrent of words none could comprehend. Boy, was she hard to live with.
But while i understand her rage, i feel that she has less reason to be angry because, number one- she had the privilege of living near Disney and earning free trips. Number two, she had a kind and understanding mother who never blew her off despite her tart rudeness. Number three, she had Asher, and he changed her life far more than any girl can ever hope to dream. And number four, she actually completed her bucket list.
Yes, her life was dominated by cancer, but the blessings around her were compensation enough to let her live a full life. I'm glad she made peace with Asher in the end, but i still feel she was undeserving of a friend like Lily. Lily was desperate for love, yes, but her days were ending and striking one down with the cruel terms of reality is no different than taking someone's legs away and forcing them to walk. In the end, Cam found true love and Lily did not. It was a blow to her face, to show her what a rotten friend she'd been. She even admitted that, in reality, it was better to be kind than right, and regretted that she could not have done so with her best friend.
Overall, it is an amazing book. It gave me hope and a romantic affliction for fantasy. Whilst i may not be afflicted with cancer, nor impulsively have a chance to dive in the promised town of miracles, i do have the ability to create myself a future.
I also loved the fact that this book described the summer activites and happiness that Cam had in Maine while not being too cheesy and cliched as a Nicholas Sparks novel. Sorry to all his fans out there.
Asher is perfect is terms of his physique, but what makes us fangirls love him is his strong and honest love towards Cam. If he was metaphorical in a sense like Augustus Waters, TFIOS fans would've sensed an immediate rip-off, thus making him less lovable. So the author changed him to share a similar taste which Cam had in movies, and im glad she did. And did i mention i ADORE the cover? Its absolutely amazing. Fits in perfectly with my other John Green purchases, the colors and design overlapping each other like vibrant colors of the rainbow.
Definitely recommended. JOHN GREEN FANS ESPECIALLY SHOULD NOT MISS THIS.
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