Audio Book Review of The Program by Suzanne Young read by Joy Osmanski

The Program by Suzanne Young
Read by Joy Osmanski

From Audible.com

Publisher's Summary

In Sloane’s world, true feelings are forbidden, teen suicide is an epidemic, and the only solution is The Program.
Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone - but so are their memories.
Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.

My Take:  I saw this book all over the blogosphere a few months ago and requested it for review from Simon and Schuster for review.  I was interested in this book for several reasons.  This book is set in the not so distant future where teen suicide has become an epidemic and the way that society is dealing with it is The Program.  I thought it very interesting that the very thing that should help with depression, letting your feelings out, is what gets you sent to The Program to start with.  I was also alarmed that the adults in the book just went along with the drastic measures that were being taken.  I did not agree that suicidal tendencies were being transferred from person to person like a disease.  I wouldn't recommend this book for early teens but older teens would probably like it.  There is some language and there is sex.  If parents would listen along with their children this would be a great discussion starter about suicide, depression and even government control.

The narrator did a fairly good job of emoting the feelings of Sloane as she is telling her story.

I received a review copy of this audio book from Simon and Schuster ins exchange for my honest opinion.