When I first picked up The Program by Suzanne Young, I was intrigued by its premise. A futuristic society grappling with a teen depression epidemic sounded like the foundation for a powerful, thought-provoking narrative. Unfortunately, while the book tackles significant issues, I found myself underwhelmed by its execution.
The Premise: A Society Without Sadness
In the world of The Program, teen depression and suicide have been declared a national epidemic. To combat this crisis, the government introduces “The Program,” a controversial initiative designed to erase negative memories as a way to cure depression. However, the cure comes at a cost—participants lose not only the memories of their pain but often critical parts of their identity, including connections to loved ones and formative experiences.
The story follows Sloane, the protagonist, and her close friends as they navigate a world where any outward sign of sadness could result in being flagged as “diseased” and sent to The Program. To avoid this fate, teens suppress their emotions, creating a suffocating environment where they can’t grieve, express anger, or show vulnerability.
A Missed Opportunity for Depth
While the concept offers an intriguing setup for exploring themes like identity, memory, and emotional resilience, the execution feels shallow. Sloane spends much of the novel uncertain and passive, reacting to the actions of others rather than driving the story forward. Her characterization leans heavily into the “Mary Sue” archetype, making her the focus of multiple characters’ attention without much justification.
The novel touches on philosophical questions, such as “Who are you without your memories?” but only scratches the surface. The lack of deeper exploration left me craving more substance and reflection on the ethics of memory manipulation and the nature of selfhood.
Content Warnings and Recommendations
The Program deals heavily with themes of depression, suicide, and grief, which could be triggering for some readers. Additionally, there are scenes with implied sexual content and moments where characters consider running away from their families and the government.
Because of its mature themes and emotional intensity, I recommend this book for grade 8 readers or older, particularly those who are prepared to engage thoughtfully with its subject matter. Educators should approach this book with caution, ensuring students have a safe space to discuss its content.
Final Thoughts
While The Program raises interesting questions about memory and identity, it doesn’t dive deeply enough into its themes to leave a lasting impact. The potential for a compelling story is there, but the execution feels lacking, with an overly simplistic plot and a protagonist who doesn’t inspire much connection or growth.
Overall, I’d rate this book 2/5. While it may appeal to some readers for its dystopian setting and emotional stakes, it falls short of being the powerful, thought-provoking novel it could have been.