Tolog Review: Delirium

Delirium
by Lauren Oliver

reviewed by Sarah Vega, class of 2015

Delirium is a novel that definitely made me feel a multitude of emotions in the course of reading it. At times, it tugged at my heartstrings, and at other times it left me utterly breathless. Many scenes in the novel are so captivating and suspenseful that I found myself reading it for hours! Delirium takes place in a dystopian society through the eyes of Lena, a normal girl who lives in a loveless place. In this alternate present, love is considered a disease that causes impaired reason and poses a threat to society. A cure was established to protect United States citizens from the debilitating effects of the illness. At eighteen years old, citizens legally must undergo the “cure” that will result in the them being unable to love anyone ever again, whether it may be a partner, friend, or family. Lena anxiously counts down the days until her procedure, anticipating the moment she can join the other "cureds" with excitement. This excitement quickly fades as Lena herself falls victim to the "disease", becoming hopelessly entangled in a forbidden romance. When she realizes the goodness of love, Lena refuses to let it be taken away from her.

I thought it was brilliant how Oliver created an emotionless, and loveless community in which parents are unable to show compassion towards their children and married couples do not show affection towards one another. This dystopian world reveals a powerful message: life is not worth living without love and compassion. I was able to almost feel the frustration of Lena because of the rich language and imagery. Every scene was captured perfectly, and I was able to thoroughly understand the conflicting emotions she felt.

Delirium is a wonderfully emotional, heartbreaking love story set in a dystopian society. If you’ve not yet read dystopian themed books, I’d suggest that reading Delirium is a very good start. And if you are a fan of dystopian stories such as The Hunger Games and Matched, you will enjoy this book!