Delirium (Delirium, #1) in Dementia

Dec 09, 2013 Thalia rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: i-own, dystopian

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Nov 27, 2010 Jen (In the Closet With a Bibliophile) rated it really liked it

This is the first book I've read by Lauren Oliver and let me just say that my feelings for this book are kind of twisted.

Not twisted in a bad way, but twisted as in conflicted and somewhat opposing. Overall, I would say the book was really good. I've actually seen a movie with the same general principal as the book (Equilibrium starring Christian Bale *yummy*) and I've always thought it such an interesting concept. That of removing certain feelings from a person. Given, it would be done for no o This is the first book I've read by Lauren Oliver and let me just say that my feelings for this book are kind of twisted.

Not twisted in a bad way, but twisted as in conflicted and somewhat opposing. Overall, I would say the book was really good. I've actually seen a movie with the same general principal as the book (Equilibrium starring Christian Bale *yummy*) and I've always thought it such an interesting concept. That of removing certain feelings from a person. Given, it would be done for no other reason than control, but still, it's done. And the left over mold of a person is sad and despicable. Maybe at one point I might not have said that, maybe I would have thought, thank heaven, take away the hurt and pain and give me numbness, because anyone who has had their heart broken knows the physical pain such an emotion causes. But, now that I have 2 children of my own, I could never imagine someone taking my love for them away. I would rather fling myself off the nearest cliff than that. Those with children, I hope you know what I'm talking about here. Because even though they have the power to break your heart down to the bitter core, they are a part of you and I just cannot fathom that being removed from me.

But, still, the concept leaves me in a thoughtful stupor. I mean, to think along this route and the consequences that become of such a procedure as cutting out Love.

Although, none of these reasons are behind my conflicting emotions toward this book. I think it is due to how the first half of the book is written. At first I was having a hard time getting into the book. I think I would mostly blame it on the main character, Lena. She seems so dull and following, just like a herd of sheep. She goes where she is told and says what she is told, for the most part anyway. And when she veers from the norm, it's weird to me because it doesn't seem within her character. Like she experiences a growth that I haven't seen instilled in her yet. It's just a bit odd.

Mostly though, I think it's because in so much of the book I couldn't relate to her. I think it was her obedience, above all, that annoyed the hell out of me. I've never been a conformist in most senses of the word, so it's always hard to see others do it when I can tell it doesn't make them happy. I know, teenagers should be obedient, but I don't know a ton that are. Lena seemed to be disgustingly so. It wasn't until anger came into play that she even could do something she wasn't supposed to.

But, and this is where the conflicting emotions come in, eventually she grows a bit and changes a bit and I could relate to her so much more. But at times, she still seems to hold back, to hold on to that obedience even though she doesn't want to. Like she wants the new world, but the old one too.

It was kind of frustrating.

However, Alex makes up for a lot of it. He was so wonderfully written and sweet. I loved him and the way he expresses himself. How he can see both sides of the picture and be so understanding even though he had to be frustrated as hell. My very, very favorite scene in this book is with him when he is reading poetry to Lena. Never before this book have I found that poetry was so beautiful, that it could make me float up with the stars. It was just glorious.

Overall though, I really did like the book. It was such a brilliant take on a dystopian world that I wouldn't be surprised to see one day. And even though it started off a bit slow, by halfway through the book I didn't want to put it down and by 3/4 through, Hubby was getting really ticked at my necessity to keep my kindle attached to my hands with imaginary super glue. So, even though I had a rough start where Lena is concerned, the rest was pretty brilliant. Therefore, if any of you are looking for some spectacular sunsets, some word salad, late night raids, horrific dog bites and a unique plot that will keep your mind running, you'll want to pick up this book. ...more

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Jun 07, 2010 Laura's Book Addiction rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, hardback, books-i-own, harperteen, special-edition

Review to come

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May 26, 2011 Colleen rated it did not like it

The language in this book is very flowery and expansive. Imagery is necessary when writing but this seemed excessive to me with statements that could have been made in a couple words being expanded on with lots of adjectives and metaphors enough to make me very aware of it and pull me out of the story instead of making it clearer. There seemed to be a lot of holes in this stories plot, some of which I could over look in the hopes they would be explained in future books and I almost gave it 2 sta ...more

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