Divergent Trilogy

 
Divergent, Insurgent, and Allegiant are a trilogy of young adult books written by Veronica Roth. It would be quite difficult to write about the second and third books without giving away the entire plot, so I will tackle them all mostly as one. The story takes place in a sort of post-apocalyptic, dystopian city in which the people are sorted into five factions based on strengths, weaknesses, values, and personality.
  
Abnegation, for the selfless
Amity, for the peaceful
Candor, for the honest
Dauntless, for the brave
Erudite, for the intellectual.

The people from each group coexist, but don't seem to interact regularly, especially after the age of 16 when they choose their faction. There is a sense of underlying tension between the factions in the beginning, which comes more into light as the series progresses. The various factions use their own means to gain or keep power. This all comes to a head just as our main character Tris comes of age, and begins to learn the inner workings of the city.

Divergent begins with the lead up to Beatrice (Tris) Prior's choosing ceremony where she must decide which faction to be in for the rest of her life. She doesn't feel that she completely fits into any of the factions.This idea of fitting into more than one faction is in fact key in the whole series.

I can see how this concept of choosing one's life path speaks so much to the book's young adult audience. When one is 16, sometimes even the act of picking the right seat in the classroom, or hanging out with the right people can seem like it will make or break one's life. This book manages to both validate the impact of these decisions, and show that there are bigger things in life. 

As with most books in the YA genre, romance does play a large role in this series, although the author does keep the romance from taking over the plot. Tris does have a love interest, and while the series does chronicle their ups and downs, the books never stray far from the action packed revolution.

Another of the main themes throughout Divergent is the questioning of authority. The idea that adults, and especially government officials, are not always trustworthy, is prevalent in the YA genre. Tris has to question all levels of authority including her parents, teachers, faction, government, and all those beyond her known city. Tris has to uncover who is lying, and more importantly, their reasons for lying. Basically everyone in the series seems to be a traitor against someone or something.

Conversely, loyalty and sacrifice are also a strong theme. Not only do characters sacrifice themselves for each other, or the greater good, but the books also bring up deeper moral questions surrounding asking and requiring sacrifice. Asking another person to sacrifice them self for others. Picking someone to be sacrificed. These questions don't have right answers, and the books do not particularly lead the reader to lean one way or another on any of these issues. The series simply brings them up, and creates a way for the reader to ponder these dilemmas.

I recently heard an interesting point of view on a podcast. One of the hosts talked about how many of us who grew up in the years around 2000 became attached to the Harry Potter series, which is about keeping a world which is good from becoming evil. Those children/teens who grew up/are growing up in the more recent years, tend toward the books which center around rebuilding society. Changing the world from bad to good. This makes sense when you think about the situations going on around the world at the time.

The 90s were pretty good, but there were rumblings of crisis, which broke out in the early/mid 2000s. It makes sense that people growing up at this time would be able to connect with stories in which people are fighting to keep the world good. In the last decade or so, there has been all out war, increased crime, harsh economies, and an increased coverage of government wrong- doings. It makes sense that kids/teen growing up at this time would gravitate towards books which focus on wiping the slate clean, and creating a good society (ie, Hunger Games and Divergent). This makes me wonder what themes will be popular ten years from now. Still crisis? Rebuilding?

The History of Us

                                      

     

The History of Us by Leah Stewart was an interesting read. I ended up enjoying the idea of the story, more than the actual book. The story starts with successful career woman, Eloise, navigating through the pain of her sister's death, and the sudden responsibility of caring for her three young nieces and nephews. 

This was only about one or two chapters, but I would have been happy if the entire book was this. I would have enjoyed a book showing her learning how to balance the children and work. Learning how to continue her life as a university professor while grieving and raising three grieving children, each of whom have different levels of understanding based on their ages. Alas, this is not what the book is about. 

It took me quite a while to get through the next few chapters. The book leaps seventeen years into the future. The kids are moving, or moved out. Eloise wants to sell the house that she grew up in, and in which she raised her nieces and nephew. The catch is that the house belongs to Eloise's mother (who had moved away a significant number of years before). Eloise had been promised that if she stayed, and took care of the children and the house, her mother would sign over the house to her. Eloise's mother decided that instead, she would create a competition. The first person (out of Eloise and the three grown kids) to get married, would become the owner of the house.

That is the moment where I completely lost interest. The characters all begin to reflect on their lives, their current relationships, and what they would do with the house if it was theirs. Secrets come out, relationships are started for the wrong reasons, and drama ensues. Family togetherness is reached. 

I could tell that the writer put a lot of research into this book, and I appreciate that. Unfortunately, I  found it difficult to relate to the characters. I actually found that through writing this, I thought of more relatable parts than I ever did while reading. I remember that it took quite a while to keep the characters straight in my head. I found the quick introduction to the characters, followed by a large break in time difficult to read.

Memoirs of an Imaginary Freind

                                    
                                     

    

I loved reading Memoirs of an imaginary friend by Mattew Dicks while at campmeeting this summer. It is a creative take on childhood imagination. I had certainly never thought of imaginary friends this way. I was surprised with all of the twists and turns that the story took, and found it a much more addictive read than I expected.

Max is different than the other kids, so Bodo (the imaginary friend) is different than the other friends. Imaginary friends only exist while their children believe in them and need them. Max still needs him, so Bodo lives as one of few remaining imaginary friends left at school. 

Max has autism. He needs Bodo more than other kids. This book follows Bodo as he tries to help his Max through everything from social interactions, to bullying and kidnapping. Bodo eventually must also face his own mortality. If Bodo does his job well Max will no longer need him, and this would mean his end.

Wish you happy forever

                                  

Wish you happy forever, by Jenny Bowen was an interesting read. It chronicles Jenny's journey of adoption, and her founding and running of the Half the Sky Foundation ( http://halfthesky.org/en ) which has altered the running of many orphanages in China. The reader watches the how one person's passion can grow into something remarkable, and spark passion in others.

I have always wanted to adopt. I have an Uncle, and cousins who are adopted. At first it was this that intrigued me, but the book is about so much more. Yes, the author adopted two little girls from China, but the adoption part isn't her passion. Her passion is the lives of the little children (mostly girls, and kids with special needs) in Chinese orphanages. She wanted to better their lives, and found a way that stays respectful of Chinese culture. That is why she was allowed, by the Chinese government, to create a program, and bring it to a growing number of institutions in China.

I especially enjoyed how blunt and truthful she was throughout the book. She saw disturbing things while visiting perspective locations, and she didn't gloss over them. She spoke of the difficulty of having to leave kids in terrible situations, knowing that she would not be allowed to help them. Changes don't happen quickly., especially when an outsider is trying to make them.

I found it quite interesting that she was able to use early childhood education and human growth and development to finally have her ideas heard. I hate to perpetuate stereotypes, but this seems like a perfect way to appeal to an Asian country. She clearly learned to appeal to her audience's values.

Mockingjay

Mockingjay, by Suzanne Collins, is the third and final installment of The Hunger Games trilogy. It included many of the same themes, and issues as the previous books. That being said, this book is quite different from the others in storyline. While the other two books are centered around the Hunger Games competition, this book is firmly set in the midst of a rebellion against the government.

As with many books in the young adult category, the Hunger Games Trilogy is quite anti-government. The government, and the citizens living in the Capitol are wealthy elitists. The people living in the twelve districts are pushed down, working (farming,mining, logging...), without the hope of bettering their lives. There is mention of a large rebellion many years previous in which the districts rose up against the Capitol. After the rebellion was crushed by the Capitol, the Hunger Games were started as a way to remind the people of the Capitol's complete control.

In this book we find out about the 13th district. This area had been completely destroyed in the rebellion, and it was believed to be uninhabitable. It turns our that there is a large military complex hidden there (I picture an area like NORAD, inside a mountain, only this is unmarked). The rebellion which was just under the service in the previous books is the key storyline in this book. This book looks at how issues which originally look black and white, are rarely that way once you dig into them, as the leaders of the rebellion make questionable decisions. Katness becomes the poster-child  of the rebellion, and has to live with this even as the higher powers make decisions which she struggles with.

The book also includes the ever present love triangle, Katness' family, and Peeta's eventual PTSD. This book brings up the question of  how much can be sacrificed for the greater good?  Who gets to decided who lives and dies? When is rebellion really revenge?

Catching Fire

 

Catching Fire, by Suzanne Collins, takes off where The Hunger Games ended. It takes us through Katniss' journey into her new reality of stardom and wealth, and then directly back into the terror of the Hunger Games. This book explores a whole new set of questions while still reminding the reader to keep the old questions in mind.

In Catching Fire, the Hunger Game contestants are chosen from the past winners from each district. One of the selected contestants was an elderly woman, Mags. It is clear that Mags had had a stroke previously, and that she suffered from expressive aphasia (difficulty speaking). She volunteers when a young woman with small children was originally chosen. It is clear that Mags is giving her life to save someone else, and before the end she is able to save another life. It never crosses anyone's mind that the extremely elderly or disabled, should be excluded. I guess this shouldn't have surprised me since the teenager's lives are so meaningless to the government and people of the Capitol.

As a person who works with the elderly for a living, I had no problem picturing Mags. I picture a little elderly woman. Hunched from osteoporosis (as it seems many older people are) and off balance because of some lingering left side weakness. Walking almost like she is going to tip forward head over heals. I picture some of my patient who are supposed to use walkers, but tend to forget. As a person who works so hard to give people with these afflictions dignity, it struck me how different character treated Mags.

Everyone looked at Mags with pity. That seemed to be universal. Everyone knew that she would be one of the first to die if no one helped her. She was the mentor of Fennik, the other contestant from her district, and his attachment to her is what saved her life at first. He protects her, and literally carries her when she is unable to keep walking. At first, this is what Katniss sees in her too. A courageous, elderly volunteer who is dear to Fennik. Mags is able to prove her worth to her competitors/ companions through her knowledge, helping find  a source of fresh water. As much as Katness, Peeta, and Fennik try to protect her, I think that they are all a little bit happy that Mags died when, and the way that she did. None of them wanted to be forced to make the decision of killing her, or dieing themselves.  I will admit that I am glad the Mags died with dignity and honor (I don't know how to say this without it sounding like an epic battle for Camelot).

Catching Fire also brings to light the horrible treatment of the winners which lies just below the celebrity and wealth. We learn that the winners of the games are not only forced into interviews and appearances (which is expected), but also, forced to do whatever the government wants by way of threats to their families. One of this book's main characters was sexually exploited for the gain of he capitol when threatened with the death of his family and girlfriend. I don't think that any one would argue against me when I say that forcing prostitution is wrong, but this does lead to questions on more minor things. When does our treatment of celebrities go to far? Paparazzi on the street? Fans flocking to places where the they have been spotted? Going up to them for autographs when they are not at an event? In the Hunger games universe it is different because the contestants are forced into celebrity, but this is something to think about.

Unlike the first book in the series, this book ends with a clear cliff hanger. There has to be another book because the world has basically fallen apart around Katness. She doesn't really know where she is, if she is with friends or foe, why she is there, where Peeta (and everyone else) is...If I had read this book before the sequel had been out, I would have been anxiously awaiting it. As far as book reviews go, that is a pretty telling sentence.

The Hunger Games

It took me a shocking amount of time to get around to reading The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins. It came out in 2008 while I was entering university. I certainly heard about it, but if I was doing any reading for fun, it was my old favorites, not anything new.

 About the time that the film  adaptation was coming out in 2012, my brother told me that this was a book that I HAD to read. I  then knew that I would enjoy it. This was the brother who had, in the past ten years, basically only read Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings. Like me, sticking with two favorite series. Yet, I had a few books on my reading list which I already had on my shelf. It didn't make sense to buy another book just to have it sit on my shelf.

One day last spring I found it in the book section of Value Village and grabbed it up for $2.99. It then sat on my shelf until November.

I read the first couple of chapters in early November, and I did enjoy the read. Unfortunately, I started reading it on a couple of night shifts and was never really able to get into the "reading zone". I would read a couple of pages and a call bell would go off.  The book didn't make it out of my bag once I got home, and unfortunately November had a record low number of shifts for me, so it wasn't until mid December that I picked it up again.

I decided to start at the beginning, and I am glad that I did. By the end of my four days off I was half way done the book, and had picked up the next one. By the end of my next days off I was part way through the sequel, and by New years I had finished the Trilogy.

I haven't had a set of books hook me like that since Harry Potter.

This book really makes a person think without forcing it. Above all it is a story, but it makes the reader question their own morals and knowledge quite a bit. How far is too far? Where is the reality to line crossed? How much control is too much for the government? How much do we really know about how to world works?  What is the line between self defense, murder, war, assassinations...?  Could YOU really kill someone if put in the kill or be killed situation? Is it better to die than to live with killing something?

The reader doesn't necessarily realize that they are asking these questions, but when one judges the character's choices, and learns about that world, the reader does in fact start to think about these things. I think that these questions are important to think about. I don't really think that many of us will be put in this sort of situation, but when you replace killing with breaking the spirit, ignoring, bullying, or looking down upon, the same message comes across. Is is ok to put down others in order to make yourself look better to your boss? To get someone fired in order to get a raise?

All of this from a young adult novel about teenagers being forced by a corrupt government, to kill each other on tv.