Divergent

Although it’s been a challenge this week with the flu bug circulating my household, I’ve secured at least 15 minute each day for reading—I’ve carried the novel, Divergent, in my purse "mom bag" and found “stolen time” at the doctor’s office, in the car, and turning off my computer at night before bed to read.  It’s been refreshing to take my mind off life, especially work, to dive into Beatrice’s dystopian Chicago society.  

Her society is divided into five factions.  There is the Candor (honest souls), Abnegation (her former selfless self), Amity (peacemakers), Erudite (academics), and the Dauntless (her new self, the brave).  On her 16th birthday, she, and her classmates, must either decide to remain in their current faction, or devote her life to a new faction.  Beatrice, or Tris as she renames herself, in a last minute call, decides to test the waters of the Dauntless by letting her blood drop into new waters. 

Talk about an identity crisis!  I see my current self, my past, and my future within each faction.  The life I currently live (Erudite), my obsession with rule following (Candor), and the life I live only through others (Dauntless).  I see myself in Beatrice as she comes of age in this novel--moving away from home to test new waters.   Really, it’s the life of a typical teen isn’t it?   A constant flurry of emotions and life-changing decisions.  

            Tris realizes during the initiation that not all members will make the cut—but I know she will thrive.  She is already thriving in her new environment and showing confidence and strength, which are character traits I’m sure will continue to develop throughout the novel.  Her future, which seems uncertain at this point, will unfold during this novel, and I’m glad I’ve jumped on the train along with Tris. 

This book is well written, and the escape to my teenage years is a much-needed break! 

Till next week,

Dr. Kingsley