The Program by Suzanne Young

The Program receives praise for its gripping, emotional narrative and thought-provoking exploration of mental health. Readers appreciate the strong character development and dystopian setting. However, some critiques point to repetitive plot elements and a slow pace. Overall, it's a compelling read with impactful themes.

The reader who would enjoy The Program by Suzanne Young is a young adult or teenager who appreciates dystopian settings, psychological intrigue, and complex romantic dynamics. Ideal for fans of Delirium by Lauren Oliver and Matched by Ally Condie, this novel will captivate those who relish emotionally charged narratives in futuristic worlds.

In Suzanne Young's The Program, seventeen-year-old Sloane Barstow lives in a dystopian society where the government addresses teenage suicide as an epidemic. A facility called The Program erases memories to supposedly cure depression. Following her boyfriend's memory erasure, Sloane struggles to reunite with him and grapples with themes of love, human connection, and resistance against oppressive systems. This book contains depictions of sexual assault, depression, and psychological abuse.

Melancholic / Mysterious / Emotional / Dark / Romantic

Suzanne Young

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Program reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Program | SuperSummary

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Overview

Get ready to explore The Program and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Program Summary

Background

The Program Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Uncomfortably Numb”

Part 1, Chapters 1-7 

The Program Part 1, Chapters 1-7  Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapter 8 Summary

Part 1, Chapters 8-14

The Program Part 1, Chapters 8-14 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “The Program”

Part 2 The Program Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Wish You Weren’t Here”

Part 3, Chapters 1-7 

The Program Part 3, Chapters 1-7  Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Chapter 8-Epilogue 

The Program Part 3, Chapter 8-Epilogue  Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

The Program Character Analysis

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Themes

The Program Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Program Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

The Program Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

The Program Essay Topics

The Program

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Program?

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Book Details