From the Bookshelf of The Reading Challenge Group…

Divergent (Divergent, #1)

Veronica Roth

Start date: July 1, 2014

Finish date: July 31, 2014

Discussion: Group Read Archive 2014-16

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Group Read Archive 2014-16

Genre Group Read (Humour) - December 2016 - You Are Not So Smart
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last updated Dec 28, 2016 04:05PM

Alternate Group Read (Classics) - December 2016 - Mansfield Park
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last updated Dec 04, 2016 09:34AM

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Jun 13, 2013 Cindy (BKind2Books) rated it really liked it

The first novel in the Divergent trilogy is a wild ride. There are some comparing it to The Hunger Games but, with the exception setting it in a dystopian society, there really is little in common between the two.

Divergent is set in a future Chicago - one where society has been divided into five factions (Abnegation, Erudite, Candor, Amity and Dauntless) that differ in their approach and thus their duties within society. For instance Candor values truth and thus serves as judges, whereas Erudit The first novel in the Divergent trilogy is a wild ride. There are some comparing it to The Hunger Games but, with the exception setting it in a dystopian society, there really is little in common between the two.

Divergent is set in a future Chicago - one where society has been divided into five factions (Abnegation, Erudite, Candor, Amity and Dauntless) that differ in their approach and thus their duties within society. For instance Candor values truth and thus serves as judges, whereas Erudite values knowledge and serves as scientists and teachers. Beatrice and her brother Caleb are being tested to see where they fit best within the groups. Their family is part of the Abnegation faction who values selflessness and serves as leaders of the government. At the test, Beatrice discovers that her results are unusual and is urged to keep it hidden. The Divergent - those whose tests are equivocal - are targeted and, when found, killed. Beatrice's results are reported as Abnegation, but she is free to choose as she likes and she selects Dauntless. The Dauntless, who value bravery and serve as protection, have a brutal initiation program designed to prepare those who have selected Dauntless both physically and mentally. Beatrice takes the name Tris and, despite her small stature, takes on the brutal training program as well as a few of initiates. Why? Well, not everyone is accepted into Dauntless and those not accepted become factionless - the outcasts of society, performing the most menial of jobs. The novel is a quick read - there's lots of action and Tris repeatedly has to take on challenges, both physical and mental. The ending is not entirely satisfactory but it brings us to a point where we know Tris will be facing some new challenges and there are a few loose ends from this novel that still need to be tied up. Oh, yes - I'll be reading the next installment soon.

I liked the bit of Ulysses by Lord Alfred Tennyson that is included in the bonus materials at the end of the book:

Tho' much is taken, much abides; and tho'
We are not now that strength which in the old days
Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield. ...more

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