The Diary of Pelly D: 02/25/11

In my last month of working for the Census when I needed something different to read. Megan at Posey Sessions suggested The Diary of Pelly D by L. J. Adlington. I'm glad she did.

This dystopian homage to The Diary of Anne Frank opens with Toni V. finding a diary while he's digging at a construction site. He's supposed to turn in anything he finds but decides to keep the diary. Every night after work when he's back at the flop house style dormitory, he reads from Pelly D's diary.

Pelly and Toni's stories are woven together into the tapestry that is their country's history. Instead of having lengthy passages of exposition or the question and answer style of world building (as used in The Maze Runner by James Dashner), Pelly D lets both characters live in their world and experience it for the good and bad.

For Pelly's part of the novel society comes unraveled as genetic markers become the basis for a new caste system. In Toni's time the damage is done but maybe just maybe there's a glimmer of hope for improvement.

I liked the open ended feel to the book. There's room for interpretation and discussion about the nature of Pelly and Toni's country. Readers who enjoy dystopian social commentary such as 1984, Lord of the Flies or Fahrenheit 451 will like The Diary of Pelly D.

Five stars.

Comments (4)

Comment #1: Saturday, February, 26, 2011 at 07:22:26

Charlotte

I've read the sequel to this (Cherry Heaven) and found it fascinating; thanks for the reminder to go back and find this one!

Comment #2: Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at 09:01:12

Pussreboots

I need to put Cherry Heaven on my wishlist. Thanks for the reminder.

Comment #3: Sunday, February, 27, 2011 at 00:59:39

Teddy

I hadn't heard of this book before so, thanks for bringing to my attention. It sounds like one I would enjoy.

Comment #4: Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at 09:02:05

Pussreboots

I hope you get a chance to read it. Happy reading.