Oliver, Lauren.
DELIRIUM
New York : Harper, 2011
IL YA
ISBN 0061726826

(2 booktalks)

Sometimes it may appear that love is a disease but in this novel it has been classified as a disease to be cured.   Called amor deliria nervosa, it is cured by an operation that everyone undergoes on their 18th birthday.  Lena is just 95 days from her surgery and is looking forward to being happy and safe forever.  Her mother had not been able to be cured and had commited suicide.  But then she meets Alex.

Booktalk #2

Amor Deliria Nervosa.  Every single man, woman, and child lives in fear of contracting this deadly disease.  The government has convinced citizens that it’s unhealthy to love.  Not just romantic love, but even family love and the love of friends -- they are all considered wrong and dangerous.  Scientists have perfected a cure for the delirium, and every citizen is expected to undergo a procedure, a brain operation, that will make them incapable of feeling love.  In this futuristic society, people don’t marry for love.  Instead, the government assigns you a partner.  You don’t love your children, you simply take care of them.  The story is told by 17-year-old Lena.  She is nervous about having the government-mandated procedure, but all her fears are trumped by her eagerness to lead the safe, predictable and happy life that is promised after the operation.  And then Lena meets Alex … I 'll bet you can see where this is going.  Falling in love in her society and rebelling against the government really can kill you.  Delirium is an exciting, thoughtprovoking book that you will definitely want to read. Patty McClune, Conestoga Valley High School, Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Awards Program Booktalks 2012-2013)