The Giver by Lois Lowry

 

The Giver is the first book in a series of dystopian novels and it's often used for English classes. I thought the story was OK. I didn't find it that interesting to be honest. A lot of people think it's very deep. Maybe, but it read like a run of the mill dystopian novel to me. If I'm bored one day, I might pick up the sequel.

The Giver is a story about a place in the future, in a community where everything is safe and orderly. It seems to be a utopia at first glance, but we learn that's not the case. There is no sadness in this society, no individuality, no war, not even color. The main character is Jonas, who is about to turn 12. When you turn 12, you find out what your job will be. Jonas has a mom, dad, and little sister Lily. Jonas' father is a Nurturer and works at the Nurturing Center. One day he brought home a baby called Gabriel. The baby wasn't meeting standards at the Nurturing Center so he brought him home for special attention. Jonas learns that if the baby doesn't improve quickly, he will be sent to Elsewhere (which Jonas later finds out, is put to death). At the Ceremony of Twelve, kids find out what their jobs are from the Elders. The Elders also pair people with spouses and assign children to couples that request them. Shortly before Jonas' ceremony, he saw a glimpse of the apple's true color when tossing it with a friend. At Jonas' ceremony, he learns he is different from the others. He has pale eyes, which lets him see and understand things that others can not. Gabriel and the Receiver of Memory also have pale eyes. Jonas is chosen to be the community's next Receiver, the most honored position according to the Elders. Jonas has to meet this mysterious old man (the current Receiver) everyday to receive the world's memories from him, from eras past. When he receives the memories, he experiences them, so he has to experience all of the pain and ugliness in the world. That's how the rest of the community can live without pain. The retiring Receiver tells Jonah to call him The Giver as he's the one giving him information. Jonas receives all of the memories, good and the bad. He starts to realize the community he lives in really isn't as perfect as he thought. It's so boring compare to all that's out there. He found out that 10 years ago, they had chosen a girl named Rosemary as the Receiver. She couldn't take the job at hand - all the bad memories were making her sad. So she applied for release. Jonas learns that the release means she was put to death. The more Jonas knows, the more he realizes this community isn't utopia, it's a dystopia. People are incapable of choices, emotions, love, freedom, etc. Jonas also sees memories of his father putting babies to death - babies that didn't meet the standard. He knows Gabriel will be put to death so he's determined to save him. He and the Giver plot a plan. Jonas takes baby Gabriel on a bike and tries to get away from the community. He transmits different memories to Gabriel to keep him happy and safe from detection. They come to a hill and find a sled. They slid down the hill and find a house and hears music playing. The book ends on a hopeful note for Jonas and Gabriel.