A surprisingly controversial book: Kiera Cass’s The Selection, Reviewed.

                                                       Image credit: Target.com

Emily Torres

Before choosing to read Kiera Cass’s book The Selection, I was extremely skeptical. I had heard

about the book before since it is one of my friend’s favorite books. However, I assumed it was

going to be a real cliché, cheesy story, just by looking at the cover. Yet, I decided to give it a

chance, trusting my friend’s great reviews of the book and deciding to avoid that old cliché of

judging a book by its cover.

It was no surprise why this book was so famous. After all, it is about a really appealing theme for a

teen audience. The story describes the life of a low-status woman named America Singer, who gets the chance to become the princess of Illea by participating in The Selection, a contest between several women who aim to get married to the prince, Maxon.

Nevertheless, America is caught in a particular love triangle between, I’ll let you guess…. Yes, the

one and only prince Maxton, and her old love from home, Aspen.

Even though the theme of the book seemed really typical to me, there was something really

appealing about the story. After reflecting a lot, I finally figured it out! The Selection is a really

controversial book.

See, it can seem like a cheesy novel, but in reality, it holds a subversive socio-political discussion. This is understood by taking a look at the society in which the story develops, one that functions under a caste system, that ranges from one to eight. This system divides people based on their economic status and occupations in society.

America is part of Caste Five, the performers of arts and music. On the other hand, Aspen is part of

Caste Six, the clerks. This particular division strongly affects the development of the characters in

the book, since their status always limits how the characters perceive themselves. For instance, we

can see how this affects America and Aspen before she is able to leave for The Selection: “Since I

was little, it was ‘Sixes are born to serve’ and ‘Sixes aren’t meant to be seen.’ My whole life, I’ve

been taught to be invisible.”

Furthermore, this novel makes the reader reflect on the psychological impacts these types of

political violence can generate. To give an illustration of what I mean, let’s take a look at a quote of one of the rebel’s attacks towards women in the selection; “Some had mentally shut down, blocking out the entire ordeal. Their faces were blank, and they absently wrung their hands, waiting for it to end.”

From this, it is evident how the narrator explains the negative, shocking impacts women

experience after being under attack by the rebels. Once again, making the book more controversial by reflecting on the socio-political violence several people are suffering inside a destructive society, and portraying its negative effects in the emotions the characters experience under these crimes.

So, is this book much more than just a teen romance novel? It sure is. The Selection involves action, drama, and global issues that can make the reader reflect on the world we currently live in. I can assure you it is worth a read!