The Giver

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It's a hit!

This is probably the book that I would most like to give to everybody who asks the question "Why does God allow a world with so much injustice, des... (show more)

This is probably the book that I would most like to give to everybody who asks the question "Why does God allow a world with so much injustice, destruction and suffering?"

Possibility of evil is the price we pay for the gift of free will. And this is what a world without free will might look like.

A powerful message (not entirely intended, if we're to believe the author, and at times pushed a bit too far), delivered through a story that is strikingly simple and straightforward. I read it for the first time at age 25, so it probably lost some of the power it would have had had I read it 10-15 years ago, but at the same time more impressive because I have something to compare it with. In my opinion, it's emotionally stronger than Brave New World (and maybe even 1984), which for me had a more aesthetic and philosophic shade of scary, and the message is articulated more clearly than in Lord of the Flies.

A perfect food for thought for a pre- or early teen that's just starting to struggle with these topics. Eventually they should, of course, read all the others as well, and maybe also "Orix and Crake" by Margaret Attwood (less known, but with some scary simptoms you're bound to recognize if you look around a bit). (show less)

 

 

by Facebook-gebruiker

No, it's a flop!

I'll admit, I really didn't like The Giver. I read it several years ago while I was still in elementary school and absolutely hated it. The plot wa... (show more)

I'll admit, I really didn't like The Giver. I read it several years ago while I was still in elementary school and absolutely hated it. The plot was mildly interesting at best, and I found the writing to be lackluster. I think my biggest complaint about it would have to be the plausibility of it though. While many of the things brought up in the book are curious concepts, they're equally ridiculous. Typically, I'm capable of suspending my sense of belief while reading, but in a book like this that tries to take itself seriously, I simply couldn't. It was an attempt to be realistic, but I found it fell short in the end. Speaking of the end, this was another book where I found the conclusion to be rather disappointing.

Out of everyone I've talked to about The Giver, I find that most people either love it or hate it. I'm personally a hater. But I suppose it's still worth a read. Just don't expect something along the lines of 1984 caliber. (show less)

 

 

by Robert Ingram

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  I really don't think this book gets the credit it most certainly deserves. yes, there is definitly much more defined, much more scholarly texts that deal with the issues presented of utopia, perfection, memories, and suffering, yet the giver is able to condense these incredibly complex notions into digestible portions suitable for even 6th graders( which is when I read it).

   

   

  by Facebook-gebruiker on Apr 22, 2008 at 02:59AM

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  After first reading this book over twelve years ago, this book continues to stand among my all-time favorites. Needless to say, I have read it again countless times over the years. This story makes you think about the good and the bad of the society we live in. It makes you long for a society that is free of pain and suffering, anger and war. But it makes you grateful for the experience of snow and warmth, family and love.

  The story is timeless. The overarching theme considers the sacr... (show more)

  After first reading this book over twelve years ago, this book continues to stand among my all-time favorites. Needless to say, I have read it again countless times over the years. This story makes you think about the good and the bad of the society we live in. It makes you long for a society that is free of pain and suffering, anger and war. But it makes you grateful for the experience of snow and warmth, family and love.

  The story is timeless. The overarching theme considers the sacrifices a society must make in exchange for creating the "perfect" society. I feel the biggest sacrifices are knowledge, autonomy, individuality, curiosity, and feeling. In order for the society to work, these things must be suppressed. Interestingly, this society also recognizes the power of memory. Without memory of what life was like before this society, the people are unaware that they are missing anything. When a young boy, Jonas, is given the incredible task of holding all the memories of past societies- pain, joy, snow, singing, the sun's warmth, holidays, war, death, etc., he must decide whether or not to continue along with the society as it is, or find a way to bring true freedom to the community.

  By the way, for years I pondered over what happened to the main character of the story in the future. Then, I finally read Gathering Blue and The Messenger, also by Lois Lowry. Read them, be patient, and the answer will come... (show less)

   

   

  by Stefani Hannah on Aug 30, 2009 at 03:16PM

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