The Program (Program #1)
by Suzanne Young
Hardcover, 408 pages
Published
April 30th 2013
by Simon Pulse
In Sloane’s world, true feelings are forbidden, teen suicide is an epidemic, and the only solution is The Program.
Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.
Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them- goodreads
Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.
Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them- goodreads
Rating
*Spoilers, bitches. Beware*
I really had high hopes for this book , but I felt very meh after reading it. I thought the concept of the novel sounded great, but the author just didn't execute the idea that well, in my opinion. One thing that bugged me and I hope would be addressed was treatment of the teens with suicide when there is a biological cause , ex problems with dopamine levels or dopamine receptors. Sadly, the book seemed to focus on just giving the kids some pills to erase their memories . That will totally make them all better. Great doctoring skills there! Yep, totally awesome plan, guys. That will work for the people that are triggered by situational things such as people or places and even thoughts that make them want to take their life. Sadly, though, there has to be teens who are depressed and suicidal because their brain is not functioning in a way as I have mentioned earlier. Removing these kids memories isn't going to take away their urge to commit suicide and their disposition to depressed. It just seemed that the pills only got rid of memories and helped you to feel a fake sort of happy.
I also have a bone to pick with the author concerning erasing memories. This was never explained well enough. As of right now in real time land , science and psychology has no concrete idea as to where memories are stored. Most believe that memories can be stored anywhere in the brain. How exactly are these pills working? Is this society so advance , they can make pills that target only certain memories, but allow you to remember your parents and some things about your life. The author was also unclear at times how much of the person's memory was erased. At the start, Sloane made it seem like the teenagers remembered nothing about anybody or even who they were. Well, when she got out the program, she seemed to remember her parents ok. She didn't ask who they were or who she was. So really it only makes them forget certain things. You can't have it both ways!
I also have a bone to pick with the author concerning erasing memories. This was never explained well enough. As of right now in real time land , science and psychology has no concrete idea as to where memories are stored. Most believe that memories can be stored anywhere in the brain. How exactly are these pills working? Is this society so advance , they can make pills that target only certain memories, but allow you to remember your parents and some things about your life. The author was also unclear at times how much of the person's memory was erased. At the start, Sloane made it seem like the teenagers remembered nothing about anybody or even who they were. Well, when she got out the program, she seemed to remember her parents ok. She didn't ask who they were or who she was. So really it only makes them forget certain things. You can't have it both ways!
What also bugged me about this novel is I felt that the ending was very very contrived and cutesy , I guess would be the way to put it . Maybe a lot of people like that James and Sloane got together at the end against the odds. I just felt like it was really forced in that the author forced them back together because it makes for great romance. If this was real, and the parents were so concerned about about the welfare of their children that they would send them to the Program, I can bet they are going to do anything in their power to keep them away from the people who may cause them to "relapse" .
I also didn't understand how the teens got stuff like quikdeath to kill themselves with. Is there a black market that the adults don't know about? It may have mentioned it in passing I can't recall. It just seems like they could get it fairly easily for a society that is scared out of its wits about teens killing themselves!!!!!! Also I would think they would be watching the teens more. Putting trackers on them that shocked them if they stayed under the water too long or if they got too close to jumping off a cliff. Stuff like that. I just can't believe that they would watch them at school and then be like, do whatever the hell you want at home. It doesn't make since for how much this society wants to prevent suicidal behavior.Well, they want to prevent suicidal behavior in teens at least. Once you hit 18 you are an adult and free to kill yourself if you want. Umm k. Not sure why they wouldn't have an involuntary program for adults if they needed.
I do have some good things to say. I really did like the start of the book and I feel the author was trying to make something interesting,though it needed to be fleshed out more. Some of the characters were interesting and funny. I enjoyed reading about them and getting to know them. I also thought the author had balls killing of one of the important secondary characters. It takes guts to do that. Would have been more powerful if she killed of James or something. Seemed like it was close to that very thing a couple of times. Not saying she should, but if this is the characters' reality then the characters can't all survive all the time just because they are close to the main character or are the main character. . Real life doesn't work that way and neither should books. If there is war, for example, some secondary characters and the main character should be in the same danger as the characters who we hear nothing about till they die on the battlefield.
Finally, I didn't find the end all that shocking to be honest. Realm lied or something. It just wasn't that big of a cliffhanger or that big of a reveal for me. I see that this is going to be a series. I may check out the other ones, but I am in no rush.
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