Thomas wakes in a box moving up an elevator shaft, he has no specific memories to provide his history, only his name and general knowledge about how his world should work. The elevator opens on the Glade. When the doors open Thomas is lifted from the box and becomes the newest member of the group of teen boys.
As Greenie, Thomas learns the Glade is at the center of a maze filled with Grievers: deadly half-monster, half-machine hybrids with a pre-programmed desire to kill the boys. The next day another newbie arrives and throws the Glade's two-year schedule out of wack. Not only is the newcomer the first arrival to break the once-a-month pattern, but Teresa is the first girl to join the group.
When Teresa triggers something called the Ending, their world changes even more. Supplies fail to come, the protective walls to close out the monsters, and the sunny blue sky turns to a grey ceiling. The boys struggle to find some semblance of normalcy only to conclude they cannot. Their only hope to survive is to escape.
Dashner's dystopia presents the question of survival and change in a world with no personal history, and illustrates how personal memories play a role in social constructs. Thomas knows he was sent to the Maze for a reason; his only problem is remembering why.
Violence and death abound, with suspended mystery driving the teens toward their inevitable future. Teens and young adult readers who enjoyed the Hunger Games and Divergent series will see a continuing trend in Maze Runner.
No comments:
Post a Comment