Roth, Veronica (1988-…), is an American author known for her “Divergent” trilogy of fantasy novels for young adults. A trilogy is made up of three related works. The “Divergent” trilogy consists of Divergent (2011), Insurgent (2012), and Allegiant (2013). They are Roth’s first published works. A motion-picture version of Divergent was released in 2014. Movie versions of Insurgent (2015) and the first half of Allegiant (2016) have also been released.
In the trilogy, Roth has created a dystopian society—that is, a fictional society much worse than the real world. The trilogy takes place in Chicago some time in the future. Chicago’s population has been divided into five “factions,” each with its own character traits. They are Candor (the honest); Abnegation (the selfless); Dauntless (the daring or fearless); Amity (the peaceful); and Erudite (the intelligent). The central characters are a bright and rebellious teenager named Beatrice Prior, who calls herself “Tris,” and her moody boyfriend, Tobias “Four” Eaton. The sometimes emotionally choppy romance between the couple forms a central element in the narrative. Roth wrote four individually issued short stories, called the “Four” series, each narrated by Tobias Eaton. They are “The Transfer” (2013); and “The Initiate,” “The Son,” and “The Traitor” (all 2014).
Tris was born into the Abnegation faction, which does not suit her personality. Each year, all 16-year-olds must take an aptitude test that assigns them to a faction for the rest of their lives. Tris shows equal aptitude for three factions, then unexpectedly makes the daring decision to shift from Abnegation to the more adventurous Dauntless faction. Her decision results in a break with her disapproving family and places her life in danger. The faction system eventually collapses, eroded from within by violence and betrayal. The trilogy explores such themes as self-sacrifice, religion, conformity, and social engineering. Social engineering is the attempt by a government or private group to shape popular attitudes and behavior.
Roth also wrote the science-fiction fantasy Carve the Mark (2017) and its sequel, The Fates Divide (2018). The books follow Akos, a boy who is abducted with his brother from their peaceful planet to a planet controlled by a tyrannical ruler. The End and Other Beginnings (2019) is a collection of stories set in the future. Chosen Ones (2020) is Roth’s first novel written for adults. The book examines how five people, brought together as teenagers to save the world from the Dark One, remain affected by the experience years later. Even as the world celebrates ten years of peace, the group realizes that the Dark One has not been completely overcome. Poster Girl (2022) is a mystery set after the fall of a tyrannical futuristic government. Arch-Conspirator (2023) is a short novel set in a postapocalyptic (ruined) world where a young woman attempts to stop her wicked uncle from seizing power.
Roth was born on Aug. 19, 1988, in Mount Kisco, New York. She grew up primarily in Barrington, Illinois, near Chicago. She attended Carleton College for one year and then transferred to Northwestern University, graduating in 2010 with a B.A. degree from the school’s creative writing program.
