The world presented in The Giver is a perfect world - no pain, no fear, no choices. Every citizen is assigned their role, and everyone is happy. When Jonas, the main character, turns twelve, he awaits his assignment, wondering which career he is destined to perform. He is surprised when it is determined that he is chosen to be The Receiver, the one chosen to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver's purpose is holding the memories of the time before the present perfection. He alone holds pain and true pleasure.

This book is perfect for young adults and mature children. It presents a utopian society and complex political issues in such a way that young readers can understand these complicated ideas and theories.

I found the plot to be thrilling and intriguing. The book is an easy read, but it is also very thought-provoking. I found myself immediately pulled into this other world. The story is told from Jonas' point of view and though there are no detailed explanations of how the society runs (like in Orwell's1984, for instance), it's not difficult to get an overall feel for the society and how it runs.

The only frustrating part of the book is the fact that not everything is explained. There are many open-ended questions left to the reader. Some concepts aren't fully explained and the end is open for interpretation. I think that works well with this book, and it's not a fault per se, but it can be a tad frustrating while reading.

When I finished The Giver, I wanted to read it again, and every other utopian novel I can get my hands on. I'm a big fan of utopian (and dystopian) novels, and this one absolutely did not disappoint me.

Lois Lowry wrote The Giver in 1993, dedicating the novel to "all the children / To whom we entrust the future." Through this work, it's evident that Lowry understands the world of children - that they are fully capable of realization of life, society, and politics.

This is one of the very few books that I think every person should read. I've lent the book to several family members and friends, and I'm considering giving it as gifts on holidays.

The novel has won several literary awards, including the 1994 Newberry Medal, the Regina Medal, and A School Library Journal's Best Book of the Year.

Interested in buying this? Support Writing.Com by making your purchase of The Giver   from Amazon.Com!

Created Aug 23, 2008 at 12:20pm • Submit your own review...