When I saw the first trailer for Divergent, my instinct was that it would be another Hunger Games.
With its dystopian universe, adolescent casting and an “only the strongest will survive” mentality, the parallels are quite clear.
However, reading the book, written by Veronica Roth, proved to be a much different experience, whereas the Hunger Games had more themes of capitalism and media, Divergent centers around identity.
The plot takes place in the “future,” where Chicago is divided into five factions: the selfless, the honest, the peaceful, the brave and the brilliant.
When a member of that society turns 16-years-old, they take a personality test to determine where they fit, and are forced into a competitive initiation process.
This society takes its system very seriously, and exiles anyone who cannot be controlled within it.
For the protagonist Beatrice “Tris” Prior, this proves to be difficult when her test categorizes her as ‘divergent:’ one who can not fit into one category. The concept speaks volumes about a society that is category-based.
It suggests that those who are easy to label and define are easy to control; with its protagonists, it encourages awareness, strength of will and independence.
Tris begins the novel very unsure of herself, and grows stronger and more in charge as the novel develops. Her conflicts are relatable, having to choose between her family and pursuing her own identity.
And yet, she struggles with keeping her divergence concealed, while surviving her initiation process and engaging with her love interest, another ‘divergent.’
My only qualm about the novel is the interaction between characters at certain places. Some of the dialogue felt unrealistic and awkwardly placed.
Part of this is because the perspective is told from a 16-year-old, and part of it may have been to suggest the shallowness of some of the characters’ relationships.
At the same time, there were moments where I feel as though the writer was trying a bit too hard to write from a teenager’s voice.
If you aren’t phased by that and can get past it, the novel itself moves at an intriguing pace.
The author does a fine job letting the world she created unfold before you.
As you read through Tris’ initiation process, you will feel initiated into the world you yourself as a reader.
It all culminates in a gripping finale that will have you cheering, screaming, crying and hurrying to the next book.
That being said, it will be interesting to see how the novel is adapted on film.
Based on trailers I’ve seen, the overall setting seems to fill in some of the novel’s descriptive blanks while also remaining faithful to the world it lives in.
The two leads also look faithful to their character counterparts and their relational chemistry.
I highly recommend reading the book before the film’s release next month—it will introduce you to a new world, give you things to think about and overall keep you entertained and engaged.
Anthony Munoz can be reached at amunoz@keene-equinox.com