in the book, in general.

Hazel Grace Lancaster

The main character and narrator of The Fault in Our Stars. Hazel is 16 years old and has been dealing for three years with thyroid cancer that spread to her lungs. She is very close to her mother and father and has largely left behind friendships with her friends before she was diagnosed with cancer and pulled from public school. Because she was able to get her GED, Hazel attends classes at a local community college when she is not prohibited by her health. She meets Isaac and Gus at Support Group and becomes romantically involved with Gus until his death.

Augustus "Gus" Waters

Augustus, also 16 years old, meets Hazel at a support group for youths with cancer. Augustus lost part of his leg to osteosarcoma years before and is believed cancer free, though he has a relapse midway through the book that leads to his death late in the book. He falls quickly for Hazel and they begin dating though she is scared of hurting him through her illness. Gus is a witty character who loves metaphor, symbolism, grand romantic gestures, and wishes to die with dignity for something larger than himself.