Pinky McLadybits
Young Adult novels are my genre of choice right now, since most of the novels written for adults are stupid and smelly. Young Adult novels are really focused on worlds different from the one that we live in, yet worlds that could be ours someday. Case in point would be The Hunger Games Trilogy, which gives us a glimpse of what the future could be if we keep letting our leaders lie their way into more and more corrupt power.
Divergent is also about our society changing in order to rebuild after a breakdown, but this time we chose to change in a way that was supposed to keep in power those who would work to avoid history repeating itself. Choices were made that broke society into five factions. The Abnegation are those that chose to believe that selfishness is what destroyed society, so they choose to be selfless. They are in charge of governing the factions since they are thought to be incorruptable. Our main character, Tris, originates from Abnegation.
The Candor believed that deception and duplicity are what destroyed society, so they chose to tell the truth. Always. Erudite believed that ignorance was destructive, so they chose to seek out knowledge of all things. Amity believed that war and fighting was the downfall of society, so they chose to be kind and peaceful, generous and neutral. Dauntless thought cowardice was to blame and chose to be brave, without fear, and without nervousness.
Everyone is born into a faction, living by that factions rules and learning to be what they are supposed to be in order to conform. Once the children reach age 16, they undergo a simulation in order to determine where their aptitude lies and to assist them in choosing a faction. Yes, you are able to leave the faction that you are born in if you think that another faction is better suited to your beliefs. This is exactly how Beatrice, Tris, feels. She has to work to be selfless, whereas she believes that all of her Abnegation friends and family are just meant for that life. I don't want to spoil anything, but I will tell you that Tris chooses another faction.
Once in that faction, Tris must figure out who she is and what it means to be in a faction. She has to overcome preconceived notions in order to excel in the new faction and prepare for what is coming. And what is coming is war.
This book was so engaging that I read it in two days. That's pretty good! I've been purposely obtuse in explaining exactly what happens because I want everyone to be surprised and interested in what is happening and how it will unfold. I want everyone to see the book with new eyes. I suggest you check it out.
No comments:
Post a Comment