Divergent by Veronica RothMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Well, I will preface this review with the fact that I TRULY enjoyed reading this book. I love the characters and the character development. Beatrice's dystopian world is interesting and the choices she has to make prove her humanity.
The premise is that humanity decided to create 5 factions based upon the human characteristics that each group believed to be the downfall of the previous society. Each faction is assigned specific tasks to run the society--the selfless are in government, those who seek knowledge are teachers and researchers, the brave defend, etc. Those who stray outside their faction are often persecuted...which seems to be an obvious flaw in the creation of this society. My suspension of disbelief was un-suspendable for this divisive premise. I cannot see ANY future society attempt a new government BASED UPON DISTINCT DIFFERENCES who shun those with mixed personalities and those who value more than one attribute (bravery, peace, selflessness, knowledge and honesty).Like most dystopias, this one also priveleges the present system of democracy and does not offer any new insights into society's--or humanity's problems. This dystopia does not offer a solution for the current environmental, political or societal issues, but instead complicates a possible future in order to emphasize that we have got it right in the present.
That being said, this novel is full of action and suspense and I could not put it down after half-way through. I look forward to the rest of the trilogy.
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Interesting enough to peruse at B&N. Though we dress up homo sapiens with garb and terminology, the species has remained remarkably unchanged since they crawled from the cave. They just believe they've evoled...Until they are threatened. The veneer disappears as quickly as a kitten in cage full of mean pit bulls.
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