Book Review: The Giver by Lois Lowry

Review:

The Giver is one of the first dystopian novels written. It is the first book in the quartet series and has received various awards and recognition. Needless to say, this book is highly acclaimed and received a lot of good reviews. I rarely see a bad review of it.

I've read Gathering Blue years before (because I didn't know it was part of a quartet) and I remember liking it. So I expected The Giver to blow me away. Sadly, it didn't. Now, before you mob, let me tell you that I didn't hate it either.

What's interesting about The Giver is that Jonas's society seemed utopian at first. It has rules, yes. For example, a public apology is required every time you come in late for school. There are rituals like sharing of feelings every night and sharing of dreams every morning. When someone is too old, he or she is sent to "Elsewhere." Ok, so maybe some of the rules were weird. But everyone seemed contented. Maybe not happy, but contented. Unlike the districts of Hunger Games, people in this society were not lacking or starving and were generally equipped with everything they will ever need. Or so they think. *cue evil laughter*

As I continue reading, I realize that the society has secrets and with each session with the 'Giver', the old man who trains Jonas to be the next "Receiver of Memory" (that title made me cringe), I learned that this was not a model society at all. I'm glad that it doesn't exist and if it ever will, I hope I don't live to see it.

Without spoiling peeps who haven't read The Giver yet, let me share what I learned from this book: memories are very, very important. They affect the way we think, the way we feel, the way we live. And without those memories, who are we?

Again, I didn't hate this book. I liked it. I just didn't find it great, like I expected I would. If I read this when I was younger, maybe I would feel differently. After all, this was meant for children. The writing was really good and simple though. The one thing that I didn't like about it though was the ending. For a minute there I was just dumbfounded, thinking, WTH was that ending?! I have read some spoilers though, so I kind of know what happens next. I will reread Gathering Blue and read Messenger soon. :)

Have you read The Giver? Did you like it? Planning to watch the movie? Share your thoughts!

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