Divergent

By: Veronica Roth

Narrated by: Emma Galvin

Length: 11 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2011 Veronica Roth (P)2011 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"Though Galvin’s narration is concentrated on giving Tris the perfect voice, she never neglects the secondary characters. Poignant moments with Tris’s mother and Four, her leader and love, are subtly nuanced to let listeners hear the terror Tris often hides.... listeners will hold their breath waiting to see if she can survive the day." ( AudioFile)

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes,

Any additional comments?

Great line that stuck with me : "Those that seek peace above all else will deceive to keep the water calm."

Religious undertone.

The writing of the story was interesting enough to keep me listening but I started to notice a message unfold that was just not to my taste. The "bad" guys were those who sought knowledge and the "good" guys were self sacrificing and believers in god. If I had realized that the book had this theme, I would have never wasted my time. I will not be reading the rest of the series.

Great listening pleasure!

What did you like about this audiobook?

I had a had time getting into the story and the narrator's performance, but once I did, after 4 hours or so, I couldn't stop anymore! I really identified to the main character, that makes it easier I guess. Besides, as the story goes on, it became clearer to me what Roth's point was and how complicated the story arcs actually were. As simplistic as it may have seemed to me at the begining, it turned out to be breathtaking and pretty intense! Can't wait to hear the rest of it.

How has the book increased your interest in the subject matter?

I have not read YA fantasy since a couple of years, but I am happy I gave it a try. I want to know what the rest of the trilogy holds in store for me!

Does the author present information in a way that is interesting and insightful, and if so, how does he achieve this?

Yes! As much as the book fits into the classics of the dystopian-genre, the "houses" (factions) are presented in an original way. Behind being trainees in a badass basement, it deals with the idea of community, society, peace and power. Cool themes!

What did you find wrong about the narrator's performance?

I disliked it at first, and to be honest, I'm still not very fond of Emma Galvin's style. her reading tone is not very entertaining... After a while though, I managed to identify the main character to her voice, so the story eventually became enjoyable.

YA but very thought provoking

What made the experience of listening to Divergent the most enjoyable?

The thoughts that it raised about our current society. What is causing our current societal collapse? Is it cowardice (Dauntless), selfishness (Abnegation), ignorance (Erudite), lies (Candor), or seeing people and things as enemies (Amity). It's obviously a combination of all of them. Most of the characters in the book subscribe to only one way of thinking and are thus easily controlled. The divergent can think many ways and can't be controlled. It seems to be saying that independent thought is the only way to not get stuck in other peoples' beliefs or lies such as our media.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Four was my favorite character. Unlike many fictional characters in a role like Four's, Roth made him vulnerable. He's mysterious, intelligent, and dangerous. Dauntless is my favorite faction as they, ideally, stand up for those who can't. The definition of dauntless can mean fearless or undaunted. Undaunted is courageously resolute and undiscouraged while fearless is the absence of fear. Fearlessness is foolishness and is nothing to be proud of, it means you don't care. To be undaunted is what many people strive for.

What about Emma Galvin’s performance did you like?

I listened to Emma Galvin right after finishing a performance by Tim Curry. There is quite a difference between the two, but I ended up enjoying Galvin. Her performance was improved by her voices for the characters and their emotions.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I didn't have an extreme reaction, but I've been drawing parallels between the story and my own life. In my classes we're studying morals and the benefits of healthy risk in adventure education. The story revolves largely around the Dauntless who do risky things. It makes them brave. WIthout personal reflection, however, the acts do nothing to develop the mind. Jumping off a train to get to school every day may make it easier for you to jump off something, but how else does that benefit you? The Dauntless don't teach the initiates to think, just act, which leads to a degradation of morals.

I am so focus on the romantic scene

I like the story overall.
The narrator also make is sound real.
The love story is also interested me :)

Great book!

Such a great, fast read. I couldn't stop listening and finished in just 3 days!

Captivating

What other book might you compare Divergent to and why?

Divergent is almost Twilightish with the nagging heroine and coming of age. But that is where it stops.

Any additional comments?

It's a thought provoking book about the basic instincts of the human way of life. I wish there had been some background about how the whole scenario has begun, but you have to read other books for that. It is an interesting read and keeps you following not only the main characters but the sub characters as well.

Yeah, it's like Hunger Games, but...

...it's still a fun book. I like this book enough that I plan on reading book #2. It's about a girl who comes into her own in a brutal society that challenges everyone to the extreme. There are some surprises and some predictable plot turns, but the virtual pages turned quickly.

Great story and great performance

If you could sum up Divergent in three words, what would they be?

Intriguing, fast-paced, smart

Who was your favorite character and why?

Four - He is genuinely good-hearted and truly cares about Tris. It is clear that he does not approve of the Dauntless' ways of initiation..... he is strong, caring and moral.

What about Emma Galvin’s performance did you like?

Her voice was perfect for this story, she sounds much as I imagined Tris would sound.

Intriguing

This book was just simply intriguing. It had a good plot and I loved the subtle suspense it contained. Good job Veronica Roth, I loved it.The characters were interesting and I liked the imagery that she gave.