Divergent

Article written by Michael Chude

B.Sc. degree in parasitology and entomology from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

As she unravels the secrets behind the rigid structure of her society, Tris realizes she possesses a dangerous secret that threatens to disrupt the fragile balance of power. Packed with heart-pounding action, thought-provoking themes, and memorable characters, ‘Divergent‘ offers a thrilling and thought-provoking exploration of identity, courage, and the power of choice in the face of adversity. Prepare to be immersed in a world where conformity and rebellion collide, and where one young girl’s courage has the potential to change everything.

Key Facts about Divergent

• Title: ‘Divergent‘
• When/Where Written: Veronica Roth wrote the book between around 2009 in Evanston, Illinois.
• Published: April, 2011
• Literary Period: Contemporary Fiction
• Genre: Young Adult Fiction
• Point-of-View: First-person
• Setting: Post-apocalyptic Chicago
• Climax: Tris and Tobias stop a computer program that causes the Dauntless to mindlessly kill members of Abnegation in an uprising led by the Erudite.
• Antagonist: Jeanine Matthews

Veronica Roth and Divergent

Veronica Roth was born in New York City on August 19, 1988. She was raised in Barrington, Illinois, and went to Grove Avenue Elementary School, Prairie Middle School, and Barrington High School. She was completing a program in creative writing when she started writing her book ‘Divergent.’ Roth’s writing was inspired by the rich plethora of books she read growing up, such as ‘Ender’s Game’ by Orson Scott Card, ‘Kingdom Series‘ by Garth Nix, and ‘Most Things‘ by Judy Blume.

‘Divergent’ debuted at number six on The New York Times Children’s Chapter Books Best Seller list on May 22, 2011. it has also won the Favorite Book of 2011 in the Goodreads Reader’s Choice Awards and won the senior category of the 2014 Young Reader’s Choice Award. In 2013, it was adapted into the commercially successful Hollywood Box Office hit movie of the same name.

Books Related to Divergent

The books most related to ‘Divergent’ are the second and third books of the ‘Divergent’ trilogy; ‘Insurgent‘ and ‘Allegiant.’ Veronica Roth began writing ‘Insurgent‘ after she sold the rights to ‘Divergent’ to Sony Pictures, and the producers demanded a second and third book. The two books are related to ‘Divergent’ through similar themes, characters, and settings.

With the Young Adult genre of fiction getting increasingly popular, there are several fantastic books similar to the story of ‘Divergent.’ The idea of a post-apocalyptic world where the society is run by a totalitarian system and a titular youngster must rise to lead their society in throwing off the shackles of their oppressors has captivated readers for some time. The following novels relate to the journey and struggles of the protagonist Tris Prior.

Other books with similar, strong young adult protagonists leading revolutions in a post-apocalyptic world include; ‘The Hunger Games’ by Susanne Collins, which follows Katniss Everdeen, a 16-year-old who lives in the future post-apocalyptic country Panem, North America, James Dashner’s ‘Maze Runner’ which narrates the experiences of a couple of teenagers who are locked in the middle of a maze as they try to figure out the nature of their prison and how to escape it.

The Lasting Impact of Divergent