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Giver, the (Readers Circle (Paperback)) by Lois Lowry
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Giver, the (Readers Circle (Paperback)) by Lois Lowry
Review: The Giver won the Newberry Medal in 1994.
The Giver is set in a futurist world, where all aspects of society are governed by strict rules. All pain is removed by strong medicine, and all feelings - from emotion, to hunger, and cold have been eradicated. Even colours and music have been removed, to provide a "sameness" which protects the inhabitants from fear.
Every year ceremonies are held in which 12-year-old children are assigned their future role in society. Jonas is honoured with the task of being the "receiver of memory". He is sent to learn the secrets of the world, from the tired, old Giver. He quickly learns the truth behind his community, and has to decide what to do with his new knowledge.
Many aspects of the book were reminiscent of The Hunger Games (Hunger Games Trilogy), but The Giver failed to develop the characters as well as those in Suzanne Collin's futuristic world; this book felt very brief and shallow in comparison. The beginning was excellent, but it seemed to fizzle out as it progressed, and I found the ambiguous ending a bit of a let down. There were lots of moral issues high-lighted, and I think it is very beneficial for children to discuss these factors - I can see why this would make an excellent text for children to study at school.
This is a thought-provoking read, which I highly recommend to all older children, but it lacks the complexity or power required for a satisfying adult read.
Adult Rating: 3.5/5
Child Rating (8 - 12 years-old?) : 5/5
Review: The Giver by Lois Lowry a children's SF for 8-12 year olds written in 1993 is part of a loose set trilogy set in the same imagined world but not necessarily with the same characters. It deals with a world where your life is one of conformity and happiness. The short novel honestly faces why a society such as this would arise with its benefits and essential failure explored. The core of that failure is that...grief is the price you pay for love. Without sadness, can love and laughter really exist?
We discover a community of unlimited happiness and good manners set in a green and pleasant paradise of high but largely hidden technology. In this world, only 50 children per community are born from genetically approved placements in birth mothers. Regulations define your clothes, toys and your role in society from your first year. From eight you have to volunteer for a range of community duties so that your life long occupation from twelve can start. We join Jonas as the ceremony for 12's is near for the allotment of his calling. Much to his and the communities shock he is not allotted a job but is selected to be the Receiver. In learning what this is, he discovers the hidden pain and dark side of unlimited happiness. This sets off a chain of events as Jonas discovers what being released really means. He faces what growing up means, and consequences whose meaning you have to decide.
The book has over 3000 ratings on Amazon.com alone so we are talking popular and critical success (it won the Newbury Medal- the USA children's literature award). Even so, it is banned in several USA State's School and Library systems because of the dark emotional issues dealt with. Surprisingly doesn't to have attracted the same attention in the UK. If you or your children have not read it then you have missed a classic. But if you have read it then you know why it's enjoyable and highly recommended!
Review: The Giver was a book which changed my reading from a pass-time to a love.I first read it when I was about 12, on the recommendation of a friend. Itis a brilliant story of an outwardly eutopic future, but te dark side soonshows through.
anyone who has read and enjoyed this will adoreMessenger, Lowry's new book...read that and find out what happened toJonas after The Giver.
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