Genre: Sci Fi
I love you. Remember. They cannot take it.
Delirium was, for me anyway, an eagerly anticipated novel. I read Lauren Oliver's debut novel Before I Fall last year and, overall, I loved it. It was fresh, thought-provoking and provided very powerful moral lessons. Oliver has not disappointed in her latest novel, either...
Oliver's novel takes place in post-apocalyptic America. The state is very much autocratic. Its citizens are 'protected' and separated from non-citizens by guarded electric fences surrounding the state.
From birth, citizens are indoctrinated with the Book of Shh, the State's version of the Bible. The state's number one enemy is love, a sickness called amor deliria nervosa. However scientists have found a way to eradicate this emotion and upon, turning 18, all citizens must undergo the 'cure', a surgical procedure where part of the brain is removed. Once they have been cured, citizens are paired with their life long partner.
Until then, the 'uncured' are monitored by state regulators. Night raids are not uncommon. There are curfews. All citizens must carry the appropriate paperwork, at all times. And never, never, must an uncured female be seen openly talking to an uncured male.
Lena Haloway has only 35 days until she gets cured. And she is eagerly counting down the days. She has experienced her fair share of heart break. Her mother committed suicide when she scientists were unable to cure her and Lena is determined not to be infected with 'the sickness'... Until she meets Alex... and her whole world turns upside down... and Lena finds herself questioning everything she believes in...
I really enjoyed this book. I especially like the fact that Lauren Oliver is not necessarily one for endings that are happily-ever- after (read Before I fall and you'll get what I mean) and, when readers have the gall to be experiencing warm fuzzies, she slaps you in the face with reality.
If you enjoyed the movie Equilibrium, then you will love this book.
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