Delirium
FlumeAward – Delirium //Delirium// by Lauren Oliver
This was an interesting (if not slightly implausible) dystopian novel where in the future, teens at a certain age receive an operation that keeps them from contracting what they consider a disease – the ability to fall in love. Similar to Uglies, the narrator is excited about the operation until she actually falls in love and then finds out that it’s some kind of government conspiracy. As I read this I imagined the operation to be something like a frontal lobotomy and I couldn’t imagine any human being willing to sacrifice the ability to have emotions enough to make this into a required law. But with the popularity of the Hunger Games, dystopians are very popular and it was an interesting and exciting book. This is the first in the series, the second book comes out in February.
– Katie Spofford, Wadleigh Memorial Library, Milford, NH
Lena is 17 years old, and is terrified she will be infected with the deadliest disease in society- love. Amor Delirium Nervosa. She is anxiously awaiting her 18th birthday, when she will finally be given the cure- a brain procedure that blocks all emotions, thus preventing wild behavior brought on by love, or hate, or any other undesirable emotion. Lena has more reason than most to fear love- her mother was so infected, it took 3 procedures to cure her, the last one finally killing her. Lena is terrified she has inherited a weakness for love, and a potential resistance to the cure. As her last summer before the procedure goes on, she intends to spend all of it with her best friend, who she knows she will not see or even care about after the cure, as they go for runs through Portland and the surrounding area. But on one of those runs, Lena meets a boy. A boy who is not cured yet, who has no plans to be cured, and who changes her plans as well. As Lena’s world opens, she discovers music, danger and a horrifying truth about her mother, and the real danger of a world without emotions.
“Hate isn’t the most dangerous thing, he’d said. Indifference is.”
― Lauren Oliver, Delirium
I really enjoyed this book, especially its setting in Portland Maine. While it’s in an alternate Portland from our current one, the descriptions of landmarks & parts of the city gave a familiar background to this dystopian tale, which I think is what drew me in. The usual big brother themes & the evolution of the narrator from good doobie waiting for her procedure to rebel racing through the streets on a stolen motorcycle with a forbidden love are nothing new, but I was struck more by the smaller details of world without love- parents not forming attachments to their children, laughter or sympathy considered shameful, and a total lack of empathy.
-Lucia Von Letkemann, Wiggin Memorial Library, Stratham
I think the book is a great example of a dystopian novel. I think students will feel strongly to the way love is viewed as a disease to be cured.
Kelly B. Keene High School, 2/9/12
This would be a great book for the list – lots of adventure, ideas to think about, and a bunch of adventure. And it is fun that Portland, Maine is so close by. Some of our teens may have walked these streets which makes it more real. Not only that, but the consumer reviews on Amazon are VERY strong. ~ Sharon Flesher, Nashua High South
I feel like I’ve read this book so many times before. It lacks originality, but the Portland, Maine setting does give it some local appeal. There are many dystopian novels to choose from, and I don’t feel that this one is a particularly strong candidate.
Kathy Pearce, Oyster River HS, Durham
Just finished reading this. Almost didn’t get through it. This is another of those dystopian futures with a female protagonist and her love interest(s). Only I didn’t feel any chemistry at all between them. Since love is classified a disease and cured when people turn 18 with damaging brain surgery, you can guess love is a major theme. Love is over the top. She goes on and on about how she’s in love and what love does to her. Only I never really bought it. Also did not like the end. There’s a sequel out now, Pandemonium. She also keeps saying she’s short! In a derogatory way, usually. And she’s 5’2". Please. 2 inches shorter than average does not allow you to go on and on about it. Also, living in tents in Maine? In winter? Without electricity or plumbing? Surely in 40+ years they would be living better than that, or would’ve moved south! I agree with Kathy P above. Of the dystopian YA I’ve read lately, I’d choose Divergent as my top pick. And this as the bottom of the list. —- Julie Andrews, Nashua, NH
Fox has ordered a pilot for a TV show. The third book is due out in March. 1/23/13 – Julie A. Nashua
This one is fine – "Dystopia Light." (review for flume 2013) (Added for 2014) Hmmm, if it keeps coming back, three years in a row as a nomination, does that mean we should take it more seriously? – Liz G, Merrimack
Students at KHS continue to read this book and enjoy the others in the series as well. It has flaws, but it’s middle of the road for dystopian literature. I would prefer that it not be included on the list because of the publication date.
Kelly Budd, Keene High
Although this will hold some of the students attention, I think it is old. I have very mixed feedback from students, but more negative feedback that positive. Sharon Flesher, Nashua South
Despite many reviewers giving this book a bad review, I loved it. All the way up until the end. I won’t ruin the book for anyone who hasn’t read it yet, but I found it disappointing. Anyways, the idea that love is a disease allows our main character, Lena, to discover love all on her own in an exciting way. I think we sometimes take the power of love for granted and this book explores it’s power in a fresh way. America wanted to remove the ability to love in order to prevent destruction, however, it causes more destruction than ever. The cured merely cannot feel the painful sting. The writing and character development was also well done. Our library’s copy is so worn out, I’m thinking of ordering a replacement. After seeing that this book has been nominated before, I think it should make the list for 2015. -Aubrey, Goodwin Library
Lena lives in Dystopian Portland, ME. In her world, love is viewed as a disease which is eradicated in adults by removing part of the brain at age 18 (or sooner, if deemed necessary to cure someone early, but it’s risky). She can’t wait. Her mother had to be cured 3 times, and it was unsuccessful every time. Before the 4th attempt, she committed suicide. Lena doesn’t want to be infected, and is counting down the days until she will be safe. And then, just weeks before her 18th birthday, she succumbs.
I thought that the premise was interesting, and I completely bought the romance, but I didn’t really buy Lena’s 180. Someone with her surety that love is a terrible disease ought to have been horrified by the symptoms that she notices in herself, and not automatically won over to believing that the "disease" is a good thing.
An original idea for another Dystopian trilogy, it will definitely appeal to teen girls, and possibly boys. It would make a good addition to the final list. Also, the fact that it’s local will appeal (Rochester, NH is a key setting). -Kirsten Rundquist Corbett, Sandown Public Library 2/5/14
I thought it was a clever story with some impressive characters. The reported TV pilot might be an added appeal for teens to read the book as well. – Lois Powers, Kimball Library, Atkinson