Monday, December 10, 2012

Being Human (Review #2)


3 Things that Lauren Oliver does to make Lena Haloway a relatable character:

 

1.      Inner Thoughts

Throughout the book “Delirium” Lena Haloway is the main character and it is told in first person through her. I always have thought that when authors allow us to have a look into the minds of their characters that it provides a stronger connection to them. We can really see WHY Lena feels this way or WHY she said what she said. Like most control freaks (as I relate myself to often), I feel very satisfied when I know exactly what is happening and why. I prefer to be on the inside of every inside joke and first person allows me to do so.

2.      Gradual Feelings

In some books that are mainly focused on relationships, the main character almost immediately falls in love (i.e. Twilight). I suppose that this happens to some people, but I think that gradual feelings are more common. Although Lena is interested when she first sees her love interest (the dashing and rebellious Alex Something-or-other) she doesn’t immediately start up the goo-goo eyes. She actually is disapproving of him because she knows he’s an invalid (someone who ran away from the government) and the first time she sees him she thinks, “fear clamps down on my stomach, and I open my mouth to shout something—I’m not sure what, exactly.” Throughout the book she builds a relationship with him which I feel is more realistic than a sudden true love.

3.      Doubts

I always think it’s nice to know that the main character is human too. They can’t always immediately charge into a conflict and come out unscathed. Lena actually has a multitude of faults. I was always told that you don’t want your characters to be too perfect unless it is intentional for they will not seem human. Cowardly, emotional, and gullible are a few weaknesses Lena possesses that make her a human being and therefore relatable.  

 

Although the story may not be all that real, the characters are which is an effective balance.

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