Delirium

By: Lauren Oliver

Narrated by: Sarah Drew

Length: 11 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

"Ninety-five days, and then I'll be safe. I wonder whether the procedure will hurt. I want to get it over with. It's hard to be patient. It's hard not to be afraid while I'm still uncured, though so far the deliria hasn't touched me yet. Still, I worry. They say that in the old days, love drove people to madness. The deadliest of all deadly things: It kills you both when you have it and when you don't."

Lauren Oliver astonished readers with her stunning debut, Before I Fall. In a starred review, Publishers Weekly called it "raw, emotional, and, at times, beautiful. An end as brave as it is heartbreaking." Her much-awaited second novel fulfills her promise as an exceptionally talented and versatile writer.

Also included is a sneak listen to the first chapter of the next book in the series. Enjoy!

©2011 Laura Schechter (P)2011 HarperCollins Pubilshers

My Favorite Trilogy

Would you listen to Delirium again? Why?

Yes I would love to listen to it again!

Who was your favorite character and why?

The main female character was my favorite. But all the characters were very detailed and easy to care for their well being.

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

Yes

Any additional comments?

Needs to be a movie! Like now!

I enjoyed it a lot … but

I definitely enjoyed this book and look forward to finishing the entire trilogy. The writing was well done and the performance was great. However, it felt like a 3.5 rating book for me. I love the use of métaphores but they really seemed to go on in detail every single time they were used. Often they described how disoriented and woozy the main character was. She was always so disoriented and unable to speak. I understand where the author is coming from but it just felt like too often and too long of descriptions. My other struggle is that the narrator sounds like Velma from the live action Scooby Doo movies in 2001/2002 so I can’t stop picturing her 😆 It’s not her fault at all and her acting/performance was well done. It just added that extra level for this book to feel closer to a 3 rating rather than 4 for me. Definitely still recommend this for a good dystopian read!

Unique historian story

Rather than zombies, terrorists, or aliens, this future world fights against love. Naming love as a disease of the heart in a true medical sense, love is outlawed and humans are surgecally altered upon their 18th birthdays to remove the part of the brain that produces love and I think even empathy. Until then, the youth are segregated into genders to keep the disease from spreading. Not only romantic love is effected... the love we have for family and friends, for fellow human beings, is also rooted out. Marriage and reproduction are strictly regimented and controlled by the government. Awe... but there is a resistance! Those living as outlaws on the fringes of society are called the infected, denied exsistance by the government , whispered about in communities, these people will not give up their right to love and be loved. Thought provoking and inspiring, this was a great book!

Wonderful narration, so romantic

Who would have thought that this 62 year old geezah could enjoy YA novels? Turns out, I do. I ripped right through The Hunger Games and bought this one on a whim and the numerous good reviews.

The narrator just about took my breath away, what a wonderful talent. I don't know how old the reader is, but she sure sounds to my addled old head like a teenager ought.

There are sections in the second half, where the two lovers are recognizing the pace and power of their passion and melted me right away. Never heard Browning or Cummings quite like that, beautiful.

The pace tears along a bout de souffle.

I purchased the second part of what I believe to be a trilogy immediately upon finishing the first.

A cracking read, and a wonderful narrator.


brendan

Good read. Spoiler Alert

SPOILER ALERT FOR THIS BOOK, HUNGER GAMES, MATCHED, DIVERGENT AND SHIVER SERIES*********************

This book has been strongly recommended by everyone I know. I truly did enjoy reading it, particularly the last 1/3 of the book.

This could have and should have been a four star book, but I read it too late in my string of YA novels, so it wasn't original enough for me. I saw the following resemblances- :

- Taking down the government (sure to be part of the rest of the series) = "Hunger Games" and "Divergent"
- Looking for a cure (occurred in book 1 for the infected, assuming there will be a reverse cure by the end of the series) = "Shiver/Linger/Forever"
- Trying to find your true love when you're not permitted (surely to be a part of book 2) = "Matched"

Those are the similarities off the top of my head.

Had I read "Delirium" first, I wouldn't have seen repetitiveness. Since I read it after these other books, it seemed less original.

However, as I stated earlier, I still really enjoyed reading it, felt for the main characters, and am looking forward to the rest of the series.

Also, this book's narration was spot on. Excellent!

Superb YA Writing! Delirium Exceeds Expectations!

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

Exceptional, Singular, Moving

What other book might you compare Delirium to and why?

This book's writing puts it at the TOP of my YA fiction list. Hunger Games, and Twilight, must come in at a distant second and third. Delirium by Lauren Oliver has set a new standard for what YA writing can be, and what it ought to be.

Have you listened to any of Sarah Drew’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Sarah Drew delivers with a superb performance! She's believable, not over-the-top, while being emotional and deft in the nuances that Lauren Oliver weaves into her words.

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

This book made me cry in several places. A truly singular work- the most impressive YA book I've read in several years.

Any additional comments?

Curious about YA fiction, or a die-hard YA reader, you will be floored by this novel; truly it's the best the genre has to offer.

Love is not a disease

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

This book deals with Love and how society, and a controlling government deals with Love. We follow a 17 year old girl through her final year in high school, waiting for 'the procedure', her evaluation and finding love and other obstacles that challenge her perception and concept of what the future holds for her.

Sit down, hold on, and enjoy the ride.

What other book might you compare Delirium to and why?

If you like Catnis in Catching Fire, you might like Lena. The characters are similar, even though the stories are different.

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

I can believe that Sarah is Lena, her voice carries like that of a teenager. I feel as if Sarah carries me through the story, I can see what she is talking about, I can hear the feeling in her voice.

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

No, it took me 3 days to complete the book

Any additional comments?

Looking forward to book 2

Beyond Beautiful...

I have no words to describe how gorgeously beautiful and heartbreakingly touching this book is. Sarah Drew puts a world of emotion into her reading. And the words that Lauren Oliver weave are so breathtaking that I cried and laughed and ached and loved. 'I love you. I LOVE you. I love YOU...' so simple this sentiment and yet so very powerful. If this book were a poem it would be Sonnet XVII by Pablo Neruda. And if it had a song at the closing credits it would be Amongster by Polica. I reccomend listening to this book with every fibre of my being. You'll not regret it.

Great listen

Lauren Oliver has a way of drawing the reader in. The suspense builds chapter by chapter until you just can't put the book down. The world of Delirium reminded me of Orwell's 1984, but this dystopia is seen through the eyes of a 17 year old girl.

I hope there is some happy ending for someone soon

Where does Delirium rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I loved the story and the style. i could not put the book in this case turn the audio book off but this is the 2nd book I read from Lauren Oliver and the ending has been so tragic that I am a little hesitant to read the next one. I know life is not always a fairy tale but at some point the good guy should catch a break.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Alex - He had a great way to see the positive and just be relax.

What about Sarah Drew’s performance did you like?

I loved it...... she was great and her voice changes always fit perfectly to the situation at hand.