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65th out of 815 books
—
674 voters
Delirium (Delirium #1)
by
Lauren Oliver (Goodreads Author),
Sarah Drew
Read by Sara Drew. 11hrs 42min.
They say that the cure for love will make me happy and safe forever. And I've always believed them. Until now. Now everything has changed. Now, I'd rather be infected with love for the tiniest sliver of a second than live a hundred years smothered by a lie.
They say that the cure for love will make me happy and safe forever. And I've always believed them. Until now. Now everything has changed. Now, I'd rather be infected with love for the tiniest sliver of a second than live a hundred years smothered by a lie.
Audio CD, Listening Library
Published
2011
by Harper Collins Publishers
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Oct 30, 2012
Lyndz
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mypod-audiobook,
reviewed
Around page 30(ish) there is a line in the book that I really could not get past and I nearly put the book down because of it. “His eyes are literally dancing with light, burning as though on fire.” This is what I pictured:
I am positive that eyeballs (literally) doing a cha-cha with light bulbs is not is not what Oliver meant to portray. I am also pretty sure, given the context, that this statement was not intended as hyperbole. Now see here, I am normally not a grammar stickler, but this lapse...more
I am positive that eyeballs (literally) doing a cha-cha with light bulbs is not is not what Oliver meant to portray. I am also pretty sure, given the context, that this statement was not intended as hyperbole. Now see here, I am normally not a grammar stickler, but this lapse...more
December 2011 review:
I adored Delirium when I first read and reviewed it, which was back in February. I had limited experience with dystopia, only having read Matched, The Hunger Games, and Uglies, but Delirium made it one of favourite genres. I’ve come across many young dystopian novels since then, and having re-read Delirium, I can safely say that it is still one of my favourites and one of the best books I’ve read this year.
Although Delirium is a dystopian novel, it is first and foremost a lo...more
I adored Delirium when I first read and reviewed it, which was back in February. I had limited experience with dystopia, only having read Matched, The Hunger Games, and Uglies, but Delirium made it one of favourite genres. I’ve come across many young dystopian novels since then, and having re-read Delirium, I can safely say that it is still one of my favourites and one of the best books I’ve read this year.
Although Delirium is a dystopian novel, it is first and foremost a lo...more
(Originally on the blog, here.)
This concept could easily have gone awry. Stories about love tend to go that way sometimes. They wander into the realm of cheese and never return, which I think is a shame, because there is a way to write about romantic love without breaking out the Velveeta. And Lauren Oliver does it.
A few reasons why I loved this book:
1. It was well-written. Lauren Oliver strings words together like a poet-- she makes beautiful things surprising, if that makes sense. Sometimes wr...more
This concept could easily have gone awry. Stories about love tend to go that way sometimes. They wander into the realm of cheese and never return, which I think is a shame, because there is a way to write about romantic love without breaking out the Velveeta. And Lauren Oliver does it.
A few reasons why I loved this book:
1. It was well-written. Lauren Oliver strings words together like a poet-- she makes beautiful things surprising, if that makes sense. Sometimes wr...more
This has all the elements of being a very exciting story, but sad to say, it isn't. The last fifty pages lift it from a two star, barely, but can't save the entirety of the book.
First of all, it's simply too long for what is in here. The storyline isn't bad, but it's far too minutely descriptive and all I can think is, well, this is going to be stretched out to fill three books so, of course, it's overly descriptive. Something has to fill all those pages. Too bad it isn't the story, but street b...more
Feb 10, 2011
Jillian -always aspiring-
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
People who prefer YA dystopias like Uglies and Matched
Love, the deadliest of all deadly things: It kills you both when you have it and when you don't.
But that isn't it, exactly.
The condemner and the condemned. The executioner; the blade; the last-minute reprieve; the gasping breath and the rolling sky above you and the thank you, thank you, thank you, God.
Love: It will kill you and save you, both.
I have heard glowing things about Delirium and its author, Lauren Oliver, for months before its release. Oliver's first novel, Before I Fall, was a stand-...more
But that isn't it, exactly.
The condemner and the condemned. The executioner; the blade; the last-minute reprieve; the gasping breath and the rolling sky above you and the thank you, thank you, thank you, God.
Love: It will kill you and save you, both.
I have heard glowing things about Delirium and its author, Lauren Oliver, for months before its release. Oliver's first novel, Before I Fall, was a stand-...more
Feb 27, 2011
Erica (daydreamer)
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
arc,
netgalley,
2010-reads,
beautiful-writing,
swoon-worthy-male-love-interests,
made-me-cry,
unbearable-cliffhangers,
i-own,
incredible,
heartbreaking-endings,
love-love-it,
i-recommend-it,
2011-reads,
best-endings,
novels-that-inspire-me,
absolute-favorites,
release-in-2011,
ya,
dystopian,
being-made-into-a-movie
There are some books written that touch you deeply. Stories that work their way stealthily into your heart, and imbeds itself securely there, and refusing to disperse, leaving you utterly breathless and completely captivated with wondrous awe. Delirium did this for me. There are not many books that can speak to you the way Delirium does. Books that tug at your heartstrings, and make you believe in the impossible. Books that can express what love really is: an all consuming, brilliantly captivati...more
I was really excited to pick up an e-ARC of Lauren Oliver’s Delirium on netgalley, as her first book, Before I Fall is one of my crit group member Shannon’s all-time faves.
On a prose level, I can certainly understand her fondness for Oliver’s writing. It is very pretty and well-controlled, full of the sort of stylistic flourishes often absent in young adult literature. This was especially true in terms of her descriptions of the natural and man-made landscapes of the book. Delirium is set in a n...more
On a prose level, I can certainly understand her fondness for Oliver’s writing. It is very pretty and well-controlled, full of the sort of stylistic flourishes often absent in young adult literature. This was especially true in terms of her descriptions of the natural and man-made landscapes of the book. Delirium is set in a n...more
I have said this before and I’ll say it again. I have no problem with an implausible story vehicle. As long as the ride is good and it relates a moral or philosophical value.
But where the line is drawn is when the world isn’t consistent and in the confines of that world, things don’t make sense.
That’s my limit. That’s when I start getting frustrated and annoyed. And it’s not because an author tried something new, okay? Lauren Oliver is AMAZING. She is a great author who is erudite...more
But where the line is drawn is when the world isn’t consistent and in the confines of that world, things don’t make sense.
That’s my limit. That’s when I start getting frustrated and annoyed. And it’s not because an author tried something new, okay? Lauren Oliver is AMAZING. She is a great author who is erudite...more
WOW balled my eyes out! I am so depressed! ALEX! That was extremely intense and it didn't end at all like I expected. I need to get away from these depressing books for awhile.
Love killed Lena's mom so she wants nothing to do with it. She can't wait to get the cure. So of course right before her cure she falls in love. Alex was so sweet and amazing! I loved the time they spent together. The ending damn neared killed me!
The idea that love is a disease was so unique. The way they describe it, had...more
Love killed Lena's mom so she wants nothing to do with it. She can't wait to get the cure. So of course right before her cure she falls in love. Alex was so sweet and amazing! I loved the time they spent together. The ending damn neared killed me!
The idea that love is a disease was so unique. The way they describe it, had...more
Also appears on The YA Kitten. Read and reviewed for the H.Y.P.E. Project (details here).
Sixty-four years after love was declared a disease, citizens of the United States are regularly cured as soon as they turn eighteen--sometimes sooner if they are in danger of being infected with amor deliria nervosa. Having seen how the disease affected both her mother and her older sister, Lena is counting down the days until she is cured. About three months before it can happens, something terrible happens...more
Sixty-four years after love was declared a disease, citizens of the United States are regularly cured as soon as they turn eighteen--sometimes sooner if they are in danger of being infected with amor deliria nervosa. Having seen how the disease affected both her mother and her older sister, Lena is counting down the days until she is cured. About three months before it can happens, something terrible happens...more
3.5 stars
A well-written and engaging utopian romance, with an ending that leaves you wanting more but doesn't feel like a cheap trick.
A well-written and engaging utopian romance, with an ending that leaves you wanting more but doesn't feel like a cheap trick.
Dec 08, 2010
Tatiana
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
YA romance fans
It is clear, the new genre of dystopian romance is here to stay. Apparently, paranormal romance formula I-can't-be-with-you-cause-I-might-kill-you is getting old, so now we will be bombarded with trilogies showcasing new formula I-can't-be-with-you-cause-this-bad-dystopian-world-is-tearing-us-apart. Ugh! And why did Lauren Oliver decide to dabble in this genre instead of sticking to what she knows best? I am trying to be nice here, but Oliver has no talent for speculative fiction. I worry about...more
Reviewed by Laura for Book Chick City. 7/10 on the blog.
I was really intrigued by the premise of this novel. A world where love, also known as amor deliria nervosa, is classed as a disease. Every citizen must undergo an operation as soon as they turn eighteen to 'cure' them. I found the concept both unique and fascinating.
Our lead character is Lena. A young, seventeen year old girl with a mere ninety-five days remaining until she can be cured, and she cannot wait. Dreading the very thought of ca...more
I was really intrigued by the premise of this novel. A world where love, also known as amor deliria nervosa, is classed as a disease. Every citizen must undergo an operation as soon as they turn eighteen to 'cure' them. I found the concept both unique and fascinating.
Our lead character is Lena. A young, seventeen year old girl with a mere ninety-five days remaining until she can be cured, and she cannot wait. Dreading the very thought of ca...more
Mar 07, 2011
oliviasbooks
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
readers who love every YA dystopia without reserve
Okay. A review - or better a hopefully short explanation - after reading 104 pages, which in the case of "Delirium" means, I am still in the middle of the introductory chapters before the "real story" starts.
I do not know what I had expected storywise, when I pre-ordered the book. There were two factors, that made me do it, though: I had been very impressed by the author's courageous debut Before I Fall and the emotions reading it exposed me to. And - like almost every YA book lover out here - I...more
I do not know what I had expected storywise, when I pre-ordered the book. There were two factors, that made me do it, though: I had been very impressed by the author's courageous debut Before I Fall and the emotions reading it exposed me to. And - like almost every YA book lover out here - I...more
Mar 04, 2012
Dija
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2011,
surprisingly-good,
wow,
ya,
authors-i-stalk,
read-in-2012,
my-reviews,
first-in-series
So a day before the release of Pandemonium, I finally get around to reading Delirium. And after that devastating ending, my relief knows no bounds.
I don't know how you all survived the past year without raiding Oliver's home and/or holding her publisher at gunpoint for an ARC, but I'm so glad I don't have to prove my non-existent patience with this one, because frankly, I about died reading that last chapter.
Honestly, I hated Lena for most of the book. She's so damn weak and I couldn't help but...more
I don't know how you all survived the past year without raiding Oliver's home and/or holding her publisher at gunpoint for an ARC, but I'm so glad I don't have to prove my non-existent patience with this one, because frankly, I about died reading that last chapter.
Honestly, I hated Lena for most of the book. She's so damn weak and I couldn't help but...more
Nov 25, 2012
Blythe
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
in-a-name-challenge,
2012-reads,
almost-fell-asleep,
didn-t-see-that-coming,
disappointments,
doesn-t-deserve-the-hype,
gimme-the-next-book,
hooray-for-masochism,
i-totally-saw-that-coming,
judge-a-book-by-the-cover,
project-dystopian,
take-your-insta-love-and-leave,
unmet-potential,
read-reviewed
Actual rating: A very low three stars or 2.5 stars. I'm undecided right now.
I fell asleep while reading this book. True story, ask anyone (and by anyone, I mean my husband. I hope you're not able to ask just anyone and they can assure you that I fell asleep while reading this. That'd just be creepy). I settled down in bed, all cozied up, preparing to read more of Delirium because I've been putting it off for much too long, hoping to get a big chunk out of the way.
I think I lasted about thirty m...more
I fell asleep while reading this book. True story, ask anyone (and by anyone, I mean my husband. I hope you're not able to ask just anyone and they can assure you that I fell asleep while reading this. That'd just be creepy). I settled down in bed, all cozied up, preparing to read more of Delirium because I've been putting it off for much too long, hoping to get a big chunk out of the way.
I think I lasted about thirty m...more
I tried I really did, I loved Before I fall, and this book sounded so great, but I couldn't bring myself to get past the first 100 pages. This book is probably good for some people, but I just couldn't bring myself to finish it.
Let’s all gather round and pretend that Lauren Oliver is a surgeon. A highly skilled, kick-ass champion of a surgeon.
Now, let's assume that Delirium is the patient.
And if these statements are true, then the characters are the amoebas that are aggressively attacking the patient and the plot is the brain tumour that will bring it to its tragic end.
Because let's be honest, this book was a bad idea.
It would be as if I woke up tomorrow and decided it was a terrific stroke of genius to wear my purple...more
This review can also be viewed on my blog: WheneverLifeGetsTough
The first moment I saw the book on the bookstore's shelf, I felt like looking at it, but thought better. It might be one of those crappy YA books they put on with pretty covers just so people would pick it up. Which, in my opinion, is just plain wrong. (I have nothing against GOOD covers, just pointing out something I noticed.)
That was about a month (?) ago. And the second time I saw it was the first time I saw the author's name. Se...more
The first moment I saw the book on the bookstore's shelf, I felt like looking at it, but thought better. It might be one of those crappy YA books they put on with pretty covers just so people would pick it up. Which, in my opinion, is just plain wrong. (I have nothing against GOOD covers, just pointing out something I noticed.)
That was about a month (?) ago. And the second time I saw it was the first time I saw the author's name. Se...more
Well, I am ever so sorry it took me almost a month to review this. The last couple of weeks of school have been insane (end of the year madness and all) and I've been putting off loads of book reviews. Anyway. Gah.
Enough about me. Let us turn our attention to Lauren Oliver's wonderful book, Delirium.
I don't know where to begin! I really liked this book. Dystopian fiction is hot hot hot nowadays, and it seems like every time I turn around I see a new dystopian book. Am I getting sick of it? Oh, y...more
Enough about me. Let us turn our attention to Lauren Oliver's wonderful book, Delirium.
I don't know where to begin! I really liked this book. Dystopian fiction is hot hot hot nowadays, and it seems like every time I turn around I see a new dystopian book. Am I getting sick of it? Oh, y...more
I had chills--CHILLS--at the end of Lauren Oliver's Delirium. It was like I could hear Muse's "Uprising" playing in the background as I read the last passage. I was unbelievably moved by this resistance movement that will fight for the right to love. I had to read the last page out loud to my non-literary husband (something I haven't done since "Katniss, there is no District 12") just so that I could share it with someone.
Fans of young adult dystopian fiction, rejoice! A remarkable new series ha...more
Fans of young adult dystopian fiction, rejoice! A remarkable new series ha...more
May 09, 2012
Jeann
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
young-adult,
dystopian
In a world where love is disease and people are 'cured' when they are of age, Delirium is a unique twist on the YA dystopian genre. Instead of focusing on the world building, this title is full of heart-pounding action.
I quite enjoyed Delirium and the characters that formed it. While the writing was engaging, the story unique and with great character development, it wasn't a full 5 stars for me due to a slightly predictable plot. If love is a disease, and Lena is supposed to get cured in a few...more
I quite enjoyed Delirium and the characters that formed it. While the writing was engaging, the story unique and with great character development, it wasn't a full 5 stars for me due to a slightly predictable plot. If love is a disease, and Lena is supposed to get cured in a few...more
The only reason this gets a 4.5 out of 5 stars from me - yes, I put four stars because there is no 4.5 - is because of the fact that I skimmed through some of it. Otherwise, the emotional impact is great. There was just so many things to love about this book. The characters, the words, the lyrical prowess. There are deep thoughts that begin to creep into your mind as you read the book and I loved every second of it. Alex stole my heart. The fact that I don't know what happens to him right now is...more
Jan 14, 2012
Donna
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
best-bitten,
squeemers
Wow. There are few words to describe this book but one of them is that. Wow.
Every word of this story burrowed under my skin and festered there, leaving me starving for more once the story ended. It's funny because as much as I loved the story, I want to say it was too long. And I really think it was. For every lyrical word I read, I felt a good third of them could have been chopped and still maintained the dignity and integrity of the story in its entirety. If it were shorter, I don't think I wo...more
Every word of this story burrowed under my skin and festered there, leaving me starving for more once the story ended. It's funny because as much as I loved the story, I want to say it was too long. And I really think it was. For every lyrical word I read, I felt a good third of them could have been chopped and still maintained the dignity and integrity of the story in its entirety. If it were shorter, I don't think I wo...more
Rating: 2.5 stars (more or less).
I wanted to like this book... I really did, but somehow I couldn't get into it the way I wanted. The writing was really good, but I guess it wasn't enough for me to love the story.
First, I like a book with a plausible story-line. I understand the need in YA books for some people to write about fairies, and vampires, and so on (feel free to fill in the blanks)... But a story about a world in which love is considered a disease? Hmmm...What's the purpose of that,...more
I wanted to like this book... I really did, but somehow I couldn't get into it the way I wanted. The writing was really good, but I guess it wasn't enough for me to love the story.
First, I like a book with a plausible story-line. I understand the need in YA books for some people to write about fairies, and vampires, and so on (feel free to fill in the blanks)... But a story about a world in which love is considered a disease? Hmmm...What's the purpose of that,...more
I enjoyed this book. Lauren Oliver's writing is incredible. But I still had some issues with it.
The first issue would be the premise. Normally when I read a book set in a different world, I just accept it the way it's described. But I simply couldn't buy into this one because it made no sense. Why would you ever decide to "cure" love? Why would it kill people? And why would all of the citizens be stupid enough to believe whatever idiotic story the government tells them?! I was rolling my eyes at...more
The first issue would be the premise. Normally when I read a book set in a different world, I just accept it the way it's described. But I simply couldn't buy into this one because it made no sense. Why would you ever decide to "cure" love? Why would it kill people? And why would all of the citizens be stupid enough to believe whatever idiotic story the government tells them?! I was rolling my eyes at...more
Have you ever considered love as a disease?
Lena is a seventeen-year-old orphan, living with her aunt and uncle. She is all set to be cured of amor deliria nervosa commonly known as love, in about two months. Cured means to be devoid of emotions such as warmth and affection. But her best friend, Hana, has suddenly started morphing into a stranger-now, she goes to places where boys and girls talk with each other, and she listens to music not approved by the government. Lena thinks this is wrong-u...more
Lena is a seventeen-year-old orphan, living with her aunt and uncle. She is all set to be cured of amor deliria nervosa commonly known as love, in about two months. Cured means to be devoid of emotions such as warmth and affection. But her best friend, Hana, has suddenly started morphing into a stranger-now, she goes to places where boys and girls talk with each other, and she listens to music not approved by the government. Lena thinks this is wrong-u...more
Mar 15, 2012
Becky
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
anyone looking for an easy read
Shelves:
missing-parent-syndrome
2.5 stars
I generally love dystopias, but since Hunger Games the trend really seems to have caught fire (no pun intended), resulting in some pretty half-assed additions to genre. There are worse ones out there than Delirium, but this by no means stood out to me as an example of what good YA dystopian lit is capable of.
The premise sounds like the brainstorming of a middle-school creative writing class: in a futuristic setting, love is outlawed, and everyone becomes a brainwashed zombie on their 18...more
I generally love dystopias, but since Hunger Games the trend really seems to have caught fire (no pun intended), resulting in some pretty half-assed additions to genre. There are worse ones out there than Delirium, but this by no means stood out to me as an example of what good YA dystopian lit is capable of.
The premise sounds like the brainstorming of a middle-school creative writing class: in a futuristic setting, love is outlawed, and everyone becomes a brainwashed zombie on their 18...more
2.5 - 3
"I hate skin; I hate bones and bodies. I want to curl up inside of him and be carried there forever."
Earlier this year, I fell in love with Lauren Oliver's debut, Before I Fall. So understandably, I was very excited to hear about her next book, Delirium. A dystopian world where love is a disease, written by the clearly very talented Oliver? Yeah, I can get behind that. I settled in to wait the long, cruel months until the February release date, when I got a surprise package in the mail fr...more
"I hate skin; I hate bones and bodies. I want to curl up inside of him and be carried there forever."
Earlier this year, I fell in love with Lauren Oliver's debut, Before I Fall. So understandably, I was very excited to hear about her next book, Delirium. A dystopian world where love is a disease, written by the clearly very talented Oliver? Yeah, I can get behind that. I settled in to wait the long, cruel months until the February release date, when I got a surprise package in the mail fr...more
Lauren Oliver’s Before I Fall was my favorite book of 2010 and I was eagerly anticipating her new dystopian follow up. Since I’m such a fan of both Lauren Oliver and dystopian books I had high expectations Delirium. I’m happy to say Delirium did not disappoint, and impressed me just as much as her first book. I read this book originally several months ago and was pondering it for a while deciding what to say in a review. I was emotionally wrecked after reading it the first time. I decided to re-...more
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| Delirium deserves to be on TV! Read here to help! | 21 | 142 | 8 hours, 40 min ago | |
| Thoughts? | 22 | 89 | 10 hours, 25 min ago | |
| The YA Book Club: Delirium | 15 | 114 | 18 hours, 34 min ago | |
| Delirium WORD GAME | 23 | 17 | 18 hours, 49 min ago | |
| The Page Turners: Lauren Oliver Q&A | 5 | 17 | May 17, 2013 06:18am | |
| Ichabod Crane Boo...: DELIRIUM | 5 | 7 | May 16, 2013 08:45pm |
Lauren Oliver comes from a family of writers and so has always (mistakenly) believed that spending hours in front of the computer every day, mulling over the difference between “chortling” and “chuckling,” is normal. She has always been an avid reader.
She attended the University of Chicago, where she continued to be as impractical as possible by majoring in philosophy and literature. After colleg...more
More about Lauren Oliver...
She attended the University of Chicago, where she continued to be as impractical as possible by majoring in philosophy and literature. After colleg...more
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“I love you. Remember. They cannot take it”
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