The subject matter — a pair of teenage cancer sufferers meet and fall in love — could have been mawkish mush, but there’s a sharp, abrasive wit and anger that tempers the tear-jerking with humour.

The reason that The Fault in Our Stars works so well is that its main draw (the teenage love story) is tied so expertly to its emotional core (Hazel's relationship with her parents).

The Fault In Our Stars could indeed become this generation's Love Story -- mildly implausible, but genuinely moving.

It actually presents us with situations and a relationship that feels genuine yet uncertain because of the dark cloud hanging over it.