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Divergent
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Roth, Veronica; Divergent (Divergent #1) "Relaxed Buddy Read" Start Date August 3 2013
message 2:
by
Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado
(last edited Jul 04, 2013 11:56PM)
(new)
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rated it 3 stars
Mod
Erin wrote: "Looking forward to this!"Me too, it's been on my TBR list for a bit now.
Ooh, thanks for bringing this to everyone's attention!
Thanks for the amazon link!
Great! I've wanted to read
for ages! I'm up for a buddy read and discussion.I am scheduled to read
with a buddy beginning July 4th, though.
Would anyone mind if we read this one buddy style? I plan to read this one and wouldn't mind doing the questions.
Mod
Karen wrote: "That's fine with me, but I will be away so I'm not sure that I'll be able to answer the DQs, but I can try and post my thoughts along with the reading schedule :)"Well, I wouldn't do a ton of questions, just enough to stimulate/generate some discussion. It seems like when we don't post questions we get less discussions. My thought was to split the reading into three parts--beginning, middle, and end. With no required reading per day just designated stopping points so when you hit that point in your reading, if you'd like, you can tell us what you think. That would give us the opportunity to reveal our initial impressions, make predictions, and later let everyone know what they thought of the book as a whole.
This book is on my "to-read" list so will definitely be up for this!
Mod
Welcome Jess!
Karen wrote: "Yes I like having the book with stopping points (or I guess pausing points in this case!) so people can write their thoughts and questions for those sections. I *really* dislike spoiler tags as I o..."I prefer spoiler tags like the following:
**************SPOILER for Chapter 1 - 10**************
Your thoughts?
Of course if we've got questions going, as long as they use the heading....Questions/Comments for Chapters 1 - 10, they're not necessary.
message 16:
by
Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado
(last edited Jul 04, 2013 03:33PM)
(new)
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rated it 3 stars
Mod
I'll add this to message 1
Perhaps we should change the labeling of this one to Abbreviated "Buddy Style" Read OR Shortened "Buddy Style" Read?
Mod
I think unstructured gives the impression we don't know what we're doing. lol Hmmmm....let me think about it.
How about relaxed? As in "relaxed" buddy style read?
Mod
I´ve been afraid to post here for a while, so this is my first post ever and just the fact that I saw this book listed I want to express that I´m very excited and I would love to experience this "buddy reading" thing which is very new to me!!
Mod
Certainly not unless people ask nicely ;)
Mod
I bought this when Kindle deals had it for $1.99... so maybe I'll jump in here. :D
I bought the UK's edition last year and I'm trying to read it since then. Not sure if I'll be able to squeeze this in, but will try :)
Fantastic! Fresh blood :D Only two days to go for this one.
I am in. I am reading it for another group this month anyway, but I prefer a more structured read like this with some section questions to generate more discussion. But I am gonna miss Karen in Fiji having the time of her life.
Mod
And Fiji is amazing. I am sitting here on the balcony while my son is asleep in the room, drinking champagne and reading the last if the Rosie Project (awesome book!!)
OMG sounds like heaven. It actually made me smile when I saw you on here. What a surprise.Anyway, so I was gonna start reading this tonight but decided it better not to because I have to work tomorrow and thought I might not be able to put the book down. I gotta get some sleep. This will be a new genre for me but I was reading some bonus stuff about the different factions and it sounded interesting. I even took a test and I would most likely be in faction Candor.
I plan to read, but I'll be doing the BOM read at the same time.
Lisarenee wrote: "I plan to read, but I'll be doing the BOM read at the same time."Me too, me too, me too Iguana.
Karen!!I'm looking forward to reading this with you all. It's going to be really awesome.
Mod
Initial thoughts:
- at the moment I feel like its a mixture of Delirium and Hunger Games which is not necessarily a bad thing
- I was very surprised her brother chose a different faction. I wonder how that will play out in future
- Dauntless seems pretty scary considering her upbringing. It takes a lot of courage to change factions I think
- I wonder how her parents will be treated with both kids switching. I imagine they will be treated with distain
Book pace is good and I'm intrigued as to where this is headed.
Bets on a YA love triangle? I think about a 70% chance :)
Karen - that is exactly why she is Dauntless I suppose - she is courageous.
Karen, you think Delerium/Hunger Games? I think Hunger Games/Harry Potter. I was describing one if the scenes to my partner as a' sorting hat scene' ;)Oh, definitely a love trangle, no doubt about that!
Karen - I've already read this and have so much to say to your comments!!! Can't wait until you get a little further in to be able to discuss things. :)Sarah - I think switching to any faction would take courage, even if you weren't Dauntless. It took a lot of courage for her brother to switch factions too.
Wait Karen!! Aren't you in Fiji?! lol Hope you're having a wonderful time. Congratulations!! Sorry I wasn't able to crash. ;)
Sarah wrote: "Anyway, so I was gonna start reading this tonight but decided it better not to because I have to work tomorrow and thought I might not be able to put the book down. I gotta get some sleep. This will be a new genre for me but I was reading some bonus stuff about the different factions and it sounded interesting. I even took a test and I would most likely be in faction Candor. "I've been thinking about this comment a lot since you posted it, Sarah.
As I've continued reading, I've thought I could have fit into either Amity, for the peace and harmony, or Erudite for the books. But it seems to me as though each of the factions are a little constrained. I don't think that I like how the Erudites are all power hungry and malicious instead of dreamers and thinkers. Or that Amity have to do all the healing.
What are peoples' thoughts on the breakdowns of the different factions so far?
I don't like Dauntless. It seems like they are the soldiers and to me courage or bravery has nothing to do with liking to be a dare devil or who can kick whose ass. I think it is brave to be honest or to put others first or to stand up for what is right. So we will see but right now I am not at all impressed with The Dauntless and that has really been the focus so far. I do think the other factions seem more virtuous. What is the purpose of all this?
And everyone is supposed to have access to all knowledge yet it seems like there are a lot of secrets like you join Dauntless but if you don't pass initiation you become the factionless and what is beyond the fence?
Nicole - I agree. All of the factions seem constrained. That was one problem that I had when reading. I felt like I wouldn't fit in to any of the factions, yet I would partly fit into all of them. Sarah - The whole focus of Dauntless comes up later in the book. You are definitely right. Again, it depends what you think it means to be brave. Like I said I think it took courage for her brother to go to a different faction and he didn't choose the faction for the brave.
Questions/Comments for chapters 1-12@ Karen
*I understand the comparisons with Hunger Games, as this society is also divided in different groups. Although the division here is based more on character. Also it’s possible to switch groups when you’re old enough. I haven’t read Delirium so I can’t comment on that.
*I was surprised to about Caleb switching factions, he hid his feelings very well for everyone in the family. I think maybe Tris will seek him out later on.
*In the Dauntless faction they throw people right in the training, already by jumping on the train. It’s one way of taking the weak out. I don’t like these people much so far in the story it seems like they are not allowed to feel compassion or help people.
*I don’t think they will be treated with disdain within their own faction, but they will be by the Erudites, don’t like them very much either.
@Nicole
*I don’t like the split in factions, they focus too much on one quality. People have more aspects to their character and to focus on just one part of your character creates mindlessness.
@Sarah
*I don’t like the Dauntless much either, to me it isn’t courageous to dive headfirst into a hole or dangle from a bridge. Most of the Dauntless are mindless followers. I agree with you that it takes more courage to stand up for someone or yourself and defend your beliefs than to throw the hardest punch.
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The factions live in the same city it seems and they are surrounded by a fence which is locked on the outside. Now I’m wondering like Tris is this to keep something out, but why would you lock the gate on the outside? Or is it to lock these people in, are they being punished? What do you guys think?
The Dauntless seem to have forgotten that it takes a lot of courage to help someone or to stand up for others. They value the individual more than the collective. One part comes to mind it’s in chapter 12 when Tris climbs the Ferris weal and Four asks her what the purpose of the exercise is. ”Learning about strategy,” I say. “Teamwork, maybe.” “Teamwork, “he repeats. A laugh hitches in his throat. It sounds like a panicked breath. “Maybe not,” I say. “Teamwork doesn’t seem to be a Dauntless priority.”…..Four says, ”It’s supposed to be a priority. It used to be.” What do you think, have they lost their ability to work together?
I keep thinking about Tris being divergent, does it mean that she fits in more than one faction and that she will never be able to adjust to living in one faction? She fits in multiple factions, she is courageous, smart (to think of climbing that Ferris weal to find out where the competition hid their flag) and she has compassion for others.
I like the pace of the book and so far no love triangle in sight, oh, wait, Al-Tris-Four maybe?
Does anyone have the suspicion that Four (or maybe Eric) is the son of Marcus the leader of Abnegation?
Harry Potter and Hunger Games came to my thought too. Harry Potter because of the sorting hat (in this case a simulation test). Hunger Games because of the different Districts (in this case faction). What I like is that though they come to mind I don't feel like I'm reading a book trying to imitate them or any other.Will comment more later at a restaurant,
*************SPOILERS and Comments for Chapters 1 - 12**********Karen said, " I was very surprised her brother chose a different faction. I wonder how that will play out in future"
Imke said, "I was surprised to about Caleb switching factions, he hid his feelings very well for everyone in the family. I think maybe Tris will seek him out later on."
I was surprised too. He did, however, never answer her question about the choice and simulation. Could he be divergent as well?
Dauntless reminded me of an out of control band of misfits who were rebelling against society in general. They seemed like a strange group to be in control of security. Teamwork seemed nonexistent and trust an issue. I wonder if that will change once they make it past the initiation test? After all only so many will make it. It's more of a competition at this point. If someone else makes it in that decreases your chances.
Imke asked, "I keep thinking about Tris being divergent, does it mean that she fits in more than one faction and that she will never be able to adjust to living in one faction? She fits in multiple factions, she is courageous, smart (to think of climbing that Ferris weal to find out where the competition hid their flag) and she has compassion for others."
That was my take as well. It seems the government wants more than church and state separate in this place. They want a separation between factions. It seems like there is very little interaction. In some ways this again reminds me of The Hunger Games book, but this time it seems most of the people believe it should be this way as well. So if she did prove to be divergent she may be more observant than your average inductee and able to see faults where others don't? Or could it be she'd be less likely to follow along unquestioningly? I'm not sure.
This was in the back of my book. Take the quiz and I'll post the quiz results for it later:Faction Quiz
1. You most want friends and family to see you as someone who...
a. Is willing to make sacrifices and help anyone in need.
b. Is liked by everyone.
c. Is trustworthy.
d. Will protect them no matter what happens.
e. Offers wise advice.
2. When you are faced with a difficult problem, you react by...
a. Doing whatever will be the best thing for the greatest number of people.
b. Creating a work of art that expresses your feelings about the situation.
c. Debating the issue with your friends.
d. Facing it head-on. What else would you do?
e. Making a list of pros and cons, and then choosing the option that the evidence best supports.
3. What activity would you most likely find yourself doing on the weekend or on an unexpected day off?
a. Volunteering
b. Painting, dancing, or writing poetry
c. Sharing opinions with your friends
d. Rock-climbing or skydiving!
e. Catching up on your homework or reading for pleasure
4. If you had to select one of the following options as a profession, which would you choose?
a. Humanitarian
b. Farmer
c. Judge
d. Firefighter
e. Scientist
5. When choosing your outfit for the day, you select...
a. Whatever will attract the least amount of attention.
b. Something comfortable, but interesting to look at.
c. Something that's simple, but still expresses your personality.
d. Whatever will attract the most attention.
e. Something that will not distract or inhibit you from what you have to do that day.
6. If you discovered that a friend's significant other was being unfaithful, you would...
a. Tell your friend because you feel that it would be unhealthy for him or her to continue a relationship where such a selfish behavior is present.
b. Sit them both down so that you can act as a mediator when they talk it over.
c. Tell your fiend as soon as possible. you can't imagine keeping that knowledge a secret.
d. Confront the cheater! You might also take action by slashing the cheater's tires or egging his or her house--all in the name of protection your friend, of course.
e. Keep it to your self. Statistics prove that your friend will find out eventually.
7. What would you say is your highest priority in life right now?
a. Serving those around you
b. Finding peace and happiness for yourself
c. Seeking truth in all things
d. Developing your strength of characters
e. Success in work or school
Mod
I thought Delirium because of the fence and also the idea that it is personality (or an aspect of it) that causes conflict. Tris reminds me alot of Katniss from HG and particularly the initiations feel very HG. Although as everyone has said, it doesn't feel like an imitation of those books.
I will have to do the quiz later :)
Sorry I can't write much with the app, but I am enjoying your comments!
(and it seems live triangle will be Al and Four) lol!
Sarah- I think you're completely right. I can't even articulate how horrified I was when I read that bit of plot about the number of factionless that come out of Dauntless alone. Almost half in just this induction group?!Imke- My immediate thought about keeping them out vs. keeping them in was more particularly to the Dauntless. I thought that it might have been clever that the factions were formed so that those who had a natural inclination towards violence and criminal activity would choose themselves by going into Dauntless, and thus they would be kept in against the possibility that they might do terrible things otherwise.
I think, if being Divergent means you could belong in many different factions, then nearly everyone here could be Divergent. ;) No, it has to mean something else, surely.
Al-Tris-Four would be my guess too!! I suspect we just got up to the same part of the book!
Karen- You're in Fiji, and you're still reading faster than me! :D
Overall, I have to say, I'm enjoying this book a lot more than I thought I would from the opening few chapters. It's really pulling me in.
I finally got to start reading this. I made it to chapter six and so far I am enjoying the book.Here are my thoughts.
-I like the writing style and the pacing is good. So far the chapters aren't long and drawn out so it is fairly quick reading.
-I do see a resemblance to the Hunger Games with the factions but not so much Harry Potter.
-LOVE TRIANGLE--YUCK!! But it is YA so we will probably have one LOL
-I was a little surprised that Caleb changed factions being that he is so obedient and his "relationship" with Susan.
I am really curious to see where all of this is heading and what is going to happen!!
Nothing But Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
Divergent (other topics)Divergent (other topics)
Insurgent (other topics)
Free Four: Tobias Tells the Divergent Knife-Throwing Scene (other topics)
Divergent (other topics)
More...
What is a Buddy Read?
This will be done as a "relaxed" buddy read so a set reading schedule and DQs will not be posted.
(A “Relaxed Buddy Read” is similar to our usual “buddy reads” except there are less questions and break points. For example, a book may be split into three sections and those reading the book should pause at the end of the section to answer some discussion questions, make comments, or ask their own questions to other readers)
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How to participate in a "relaxed" buddy read
* For Divergent, start the book on or around August 3 so that we are all reading the book at about the same time
* Post questions and comments as you are reading, but please clearly state the section you are referring to. For example:
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Questions/Comments for Chapters 1 - 10
blah blah blah
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That way spoiler tags aren't necessary
*Think about your feelings towards the characters, the plot, predictions on what may happen, comparisons to other books... these can all provide starting points for discussion
*Have fun :)
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Synopsis
In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.
During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.
Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance
BE PREPARED FOR SPOLIERS
Note: This book was the YA BOM in August 2011. The archived discussion thread is here