The Giver by Lois Lowry, Book, Review

The Giver is a relatively short novel. I went into it with low expectations because of what I heard from others, but once I finished it, I loved it.

Story:
The Giver takes place in something called a "Community." A Community is a very strange, socialist style, utopia. Everything is free, nobody gets hurt, everyone knows each other, and everybody does their job to ensure the good function of the Community. People are "birthed," given to a "family unit," and grow up. At twelve years of age, they are assigned their job to help the community. Around twelve years, everyone takes "the pill," the pill is taken after an individual's first "stirring." Stirrings have a strange mystique surrounding them but seem to be some sort of feelings of love or affection. The novel follows Jonas, at the ceremony of twelves. Jonas receives a unique job assignment, the receiver of memories. Jonas trains and receives the memories of the community, but he realizes that things used to be different. People used to be able to make their own decisions and that has changed.

Enjoyability:
I thoroughly enjoyed The Giver and would happily read it again. The book is short enough to not get bored with the story, but it is long enough to connect with the characters. At times in the book, particularly towards the end, I felt very anxious, but in a good way. I was scared for the characters, sitting on the edge of my seat, reading. Skipping over sentences to get to the end more quickly and when I got there, I wish I had not actually finished the story, but in a good way. I definitely enjoyed every part of The Giver and wish I could feel the same way I did reading it the first time, reading it the second time.

Availability:
The Giver is actually available online, completely free. There are a bunch of read aloud and audio versions of it on YouTube. If you have don't have the time to read it, you will get the same experience listening to it, maybe even a better one.

Age Range:
I feel as if The Giver would be suitable and understandable for anybody over ten years of age, Younger than that, many important concepts may not be received and subtle messages may not be recognized.

Message:
The message of The Giver is a complex one and it can not be dived into without spoiling important elements of the book, but it has to do with everybody being different. Difference is a good thing and should be kept, forever. It could also be interpreted as be careful of power because the wrong person in power could mean disaster and big, negative, consequences.

Recommendation:
If you have the time, read this book. If you don't have the time, listen to this book. You will not regret reading The Giver and its elements and messages will stick with you for a long time.

This article is merely an opinion and if you wish to share yours, comment below. Thanks!