<P> The Fault in Our Stars is the sixth novel by author John Green , published in January 2012 . The title is inspired by Act 1 , Scene 2 of Shakespeare 's play Julius Caesar , in which the nobleman Cassius says to Brutus : `` The fault , dear Brutus , is not in our stars , / But in ourselves , that we are underlings . '' The story is narrated by Hazel Grace Lancaster , a 16 - year - old girl with cancer . Hazel is forced by her parents to attend a support group where she subsequently meets and falls in love with 17 - year - old Augustus Waters , an ex-basketball player and amputee . A feature film adaptation of the novel directed by Josh Boone and starring Shailene Woodley , Ansel Elgort and Nat Wolff was released on June 6 , 2014 . Both the book and its film adaptation were met with strong critical and commercial success . </P>
hazels boyfriend in the fault in our stars
17 - year - old Augustus Waters , an ex-basketball player and amputee