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)

Much Better Than Hunger Games!!!

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

I found listening to this book while Congress debates emigration reform an interesting experience. Roth's concept of segregating population by personality tendencies translates well into our history of religious intolerance, racial prejudice, gay bashing and emigration "self-deportation". The story moves quickly enough to keep one engaged and slowly enough to fuel thinking on all of the above mentioned real-time issues facing us. It is a story that walks the line between the fantasy of the future and our prejudicial history and is incredibly entertaining while doing it. More than once I sat in my garage, unwilling to stop the audio long enough to walk in the house and stick the ipod in the Bose! It also made me wish we had politicians with even a particle of the humanity and bravery of 16 year old Triss.

What does Emma Galvin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I have listened to several of books Emma has read, and she is great. I have to say this is my favorite however. Emma is capable of portraying hostility and tenderness or anger and fear all in the same scene, and be believable portraying them all.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Sure...only it is never a possibility, but waiting for the next "listen" is part of the fun.

Any additional comments?

I imagine this book is written for the same age group as Hunger Games...but I left that age so long ago, I only vaguely remember it (!)...but loved the book and am excited to read the next one. I hope someone is writing the screen play.

Awesome 😍

This book itself is amazing!! I wanted the audiobook to understand it better, since I'm the type of reader who skips large paragraphs to get to the good parts! I would recommend this to anyone who loves drama and action. This book takes you to the place, it attaches you to the characters, and it makes you feel what the characters feel. This is my all time fav book!!
Written by Sahi, Age 11

Good, Quick, and Interesting

Would you listen to Divergent again? Why?

Yes, I would enjoy listening again to pick up any little nuances I missed in the previous listening.

What other book might you compare Divergent to and why?

I loved the "Hunger Games" trilogy and was looking for something similar when I found this series.

Which scene was your favorite?

Jumping off the building into the hole

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

not sure

Any additional comments?

The story provides new meaning to the caste system and stereotyping that modern day society has.

LOVED IT!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️

I loved this book every one at least read this and it was WAY BETTER than the movie (just saying)

Great, I really enjoyed it! Sequels not as good.

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

I saw the movie first, and I loved it. I knew that a novelization would be much better as it would have more information and detail, and it did. I can relate to the main character and Four. The world the author created was very interesting and unique.

What did you like best about this story?

I love the factions, and I understand the main characters draw towards the Dauntless. The portrayal of the different factions was very interesting.

Which scene was your favorite?

I'm not sure.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

"Are you Dauntless?"

Any additional comments?

The relationship is the weak point. It just never strong or believable to me. The main character seems too independent and non-sexual. So the relationship seems a little forced. I got more of a friend of sibling vibe. The relationship stays weak through the next two books as well.

ughhh so much better than the movie

I watched the movie when it first came out. but now listening to the book was amazing!

Entertaining

It reminded me of Hunger Games without the heart. Overall, good enough to listen to on the way to and from work each day.

cult book for a reason

great book. there is adventure, passion, right and wrong, coming of age, responsibility, and family. so good

Generally Great

I loved the story but the narration fluctuated a lot in volume. Sometimes it was too quiet at a certain volume but then it became loud. It wasn't suspense but more the narrator kind of swallowing words.

Loved it, but a tiny problem

I love divergent, I have read it 4-5 times, this was the first time I tried the audio book. But the narrators lisp was so frustrating to listen to..