The Giver is a dystopian novel that follows the story of Jonas, an eleven-year-old boy living in a community where everything is safe and simple. When Jonas is chosen to be the new Receiver of Memories, he starts learning about the past and the true nature of the society he lives in. Guided by the Giver, Jonas begins to question the values of his world and discovers the importance of emotions and individuality. As he navigates through the memories, Jonas realizes the sacrifices made for the illusion of a perfect society and ultimately makes a decision that challenges the status quo.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings for The Giver include themes of euthanasia, emotional suppression, and the implications of a dystopian society. These elements may be sensitive for some younger readers.
From The Publisher:
Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear of pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the community.
December is the time of the annual Ceremony at which each twelve-year-old receives a life assignment determined by the Elders. Jonas watches his friend Fiona named Caretaker of the Old and his cheerful pal Asher labeled the Assistant Director of Recreation.
But Jonas has been chosen for something special. When his selection leads him to an unnamed man - the man called only the Giver - he begins to sense the dark secrets that underlie the fragile perfection of his world.
Ratings (506)
Incredible (90) | |
Loved It (169) | |
Liked It (138) | |
It Was OK (78) | |
Did Not Like (22) | |
Hated It (9) |
Reader Stats (710):
Read It (561) | |
Want To Read (96) | |
Did Not Finish (5) | |
Not Interested (48) |
16 comment(s)
3/5⭐️
This was not at all how I remembered it from when I first read it!
I did enjoy it, but I’ve recently rewatched the movie and there were a lot of differences. Obviously the book was written before the movie was produced, and i’m not knocking either work- just an observation.
For me, this story was just a story. I think I’ve read it multiple times and seen the movie multiple times that I didn’t get that same “oh my gosh” feeling I did the first time.
Open ending
I known about this book for years but never considered reading it until now. I was mesmerized by the storytelling and the utopian world. I haven't been so intensely drawn to a story like this for a long while and I'm eager to read the rest of the books in the series. First five star of the year!
I thought this book was extraordinary - I can't believe I waited so long to read it.
The story is set in a pretty crappy future. It's a very technically advanced society and every second of every person's life is planned out -- when they're allowed to stop wearing hair ribbons in their hair, when they get a bike, what job they have, who/if they marry, etc.
Like I said when I reviewed the very similar book
Matched, there are days when I think it wouldn't be bad to have every detail of my life planned out for me. Mainly because I'm bad at making decisions. However, this society has some serious problems.
I really liked the main character Jonas and the strength he showed in trying to bring about change. I started the second book in the series pretty soon after, but sadly he wasn't in it. :(
A re-read of a book that I read in middle school. I'm glad that I came back to it 10+ years later and reading it as an adult as opposed to a child and picking up on all of the themes that are present within it that probably flew over my head as a 12-year-old.
I decided to re-read this classic YA dystopian novel when I realized it is actually the first book in a quartet. I always remembered the ending of the book giving me a sense of completion, but now of course I see how there can be sequels. I just hope they don't move away from what makes
The Giver stand out from the current crowd of YA dystopias: its meditation on language, the importance of memory, and the place that emotional and physical pain has in our lives. This book resonates in ways I did not understand when I first read it in middle school, and I'm very happy I revisited it.
5 stars
Re-Read in 2023: 5 stars
This is a wonderful novel. A post-apocalyptic dystopian novel which is completely opposite to the world which we live in now. People were tired of this living style and found a better way to live. They eradicated the options and embraced sameness. Such a sad place. It was emotional at times and yet wonderful.
Great book!
First Read in 2012: 5 stars
Happy Reading!
I liked this book, but it is a bit strange. It is a dystopia, and everything about civilization makes a difference in this book. It is an interesting, imaginative rethinking of our current lifestyle.
Podia haber sido bueno pero tiene demasiados defectos.
El concepto de la sociedad esta bien, un poco simple y tipico pero es un libro para jovenes, quiza es mejor algo asi simple. Es un libro corto y consigue describir bastante en este tiempo.
Lo malo, la otra gran idea aqui, la de "the giver" no tiene ni pies ni cabeza. Es tan incomprensible que hasta el personaje a cargo no tiene ni idea.
En general parece todo de plastico, muy artificial, como si se hubiera escrito al reves. El autor sabia lo que queria decir y para decirlo ha terjiversado toda logica.
While this was a pretty good book, I found it vague and a little confusing. The ending in particular had me really confused, I'm not really sure where Jonas and Gabriel ended up.
What can you read after
The Giver?
About the Author:
Whether she's writing comedy, adventure, or poignant, powerful drama-from Attaboy, Sam! and Anastasia Krupnik to Number the Stars and The Giver-Lois Lowry's appeal is as broad as her subject matter and as deep as her desire to affect an eager generation of readers. An author who is…
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