Delirium by Lauren Oliver Book Review

Thursday, September 13, 2012 9:00 AM
Title: Delirium
Author: Lauren Oliver
Published: January 1, 2011
Publisher: HarperCollins
Series: Delirium #1
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian
Pages: 441
Source: Purchased
Rating: 3 stars
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

“He who leaps for the sky may fall, it's true. But he may also fly.” 
― Lauren OliverDelirium

Synopsis
Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love -- the deliria -- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the government demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts
I finally read Delirium. Yes, another dystopia. I have read so many dystopian YA books this past summer. Last spring, I had read only The Hunger Games and a few others. Now, I've read countless. Dystopias have developed as a trend. 

Delirium shared many similarities with other dystopian reads, but it had that nice twist of love being forbidden. In Lena's world, no one says I love you or they're considered diseased. The uncured wait till their 18th birthdays to have a procedure that will prevent them from feeling any love or compassion for others. The indifference of the cured was truly haunting. When it came to parenting, maternal love or any devotion to offspring was absent. Spouses procreated simply for the continuation of humanity. Love was missing from the equation, but everybody still swore by the procedure. They claimed happiness in their indifference, and anyone who thought different was labeled as a sympathizer and was executed or left to rot in a cell. It was terrifying for me to even imagine a world without love. Where a mother is apathetic towards her crying child. Or a husband and wife go through life feeling nothing for each other though they sleep next to each other in the same bed every night. 

What really appealed to me about Delirium was that romantic love wasn't the sole focus. I expected the entire book to concentrate on the forbidden romance between Alex and Lena, but I was pleasantly surprised. While Lena and Alex's growing interest in each other is certainly a main point, we also witness the love Lena feels for her best friend Hana and the love she feels for her family, such as her cousin Gracie and her mother. We're able to see all different sorts of love, and the complexity of Lena's feelings. How easily anger, hurt, and fear can overlap with love. I found Lena's connections to her loved ones so touching and endearing, and I loved Hana, Alex, and Gracie (even though she doesn't speak). 

I had some difficulty accepting how quickly Lena shifts from being a steadfast believer in the cure to an outright rebel. I loved how Lena started off as an unquestioning follower of her society, allowing us to see her full progression into rebellion. But for someone who was so excited to be cured, Lena changes so rapidly, and I didn't completely buy it. Even if Alex and Lena were madly in love, Lena was raised with certain beliefs that she cherished, but yet she drops them so quickly. 

While I loved the dark twist of love being outlawed, I had trouble immersing myself into the story. There were no slow parts, but I was never completely invested in this book. Maybe the dystopia just wasn't authentic enough? I found it difficult to believe in this world without knowing the background behind the cure and the labeling of love as a disease. While it's fascinating, I needed more context and I couldn't help wanting more to this world than some groups of regulators walking around with flashlights and bullhorns. That image did not have me quaking in fear. Oliver writes beautifully - her writing style could almost be called poetic - and I loved the inclusion of poetry and classical literature (Romeo and Juliet!) as always, but I just didn't connect with what I was reading. 

I have to say that while there were differences, Delirium resembled Uglies in so many ways. The Smoke versus The Wilds. The procedure and the main character who goes from supporter to rogue. Not to mention the best friend who participates in rebellious behavior? Did anyone see this as well? It didn't bother me, but it just struck me as really similar. Random thought, I know. Though I enjoyed this book more because I could not stand Tally Youngblood. 

I will read Pandemonium, but I'm in no hurry. I'm anxious to see how this series unfolds, but I hope the sequel interests me more. 

Happy Reading,

Courtney

10 comments:

  1. I waited quite a long time to read Delirium. I thought I would hate the "forbidden love" theme. I agree with you, it was done really well without the focus being on the romantic side. I had issues with the book but by the time it ended I was really ready for more. The ending crushed me! I don't know if Pandemonium will keep your interest more, but I did find it had an entirely different feel to it.

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    1. The ending was also shocking for me! I was not happy to say the least. :( Maybe the sequel will keep my interest more. I hope so.

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  2. I had some issues with this book, especially with Lena. I was glad to see she developed when she met Alex; I loved him. The ending definitely makes me anxious to read Pandemonium, but I'm waiting. I'm trying to read it closer to the publishing date of the last one. Great review :)

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    1. I loved Alex too! He was great! I don't blame you. I want the third book to be out when I read the second one. Thanks Mel!

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  3. Wow our reviews are scarily similar for this. I think you matched every single point I made. I guess it's good to know that someone else agrees with me so fully lol! Although I have to disagree - I like Tally and her story a whole lot more than Lena.

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    1. Yeah, I've been seeing a lot of people that have been having the same problems. And I just could not stand tally. She was selfish, vain and untrustworthy. and the story was alright.

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    2. But her world was real. The threat was real. And just everything felt more raw and vivid and wrenching. I didn't mind Lena's character, but I think that the Uglies series overall is just a lot better done.

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    3. Yeah her world was real but to me, it just lacked the vibrance and vivid detail I wanted. And it didn't stand out as unique. The Smoke was just some woods. I wanted more I guess.

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  4. I'm waiting for the last book to get released because I hear this one has evil cliffhangers =))) Thanks for sharing to us your thoughts!

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    1. Great plan! because it does. I hate cliffhangers too! You're very welcome, Gellie! Thanks for stopping by! :D

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