Review Detail

Reader reviewed by Kay Kay

The Giver. By Lois Lowry. Published by Dell Laurel Leaf. 1993.

The importance of the freedom to make choices and the drawbacks of living in a utopia where everything has sameness is on one of the themes of The Giver. The setting is some time in the future in a seemingly utopian community that is actually a dystopian community. This novel describes a world with no emotions, no war, no pain, and sadly, no love. I found it interesting because it is a very well written and thought provoking book.

The main character is a boy named Jonas. He is chosen to become the next Receiver of Memory. In this Utopian society, people do not want to be burdened with memories so they choose one person to hold the memories. As part of the job, The Receiver of Memory advises the community what to do based on memories from the past. His instructor, who he calls The Giver, is the current Receiver until Jonas completes his training. Jonas learns about pain, war, love, colors, and choices as he begins his training with The Giver.

Jonas tries to decide if choices are the best thing for the community. His quote I want to wake up in the morning and decide things! meant he wanted the freedom of having choices. He had decided that choices are good. But, then he realized that most likely sometimes people would make bad choices. He said, We really have to protect people from wrong choices. Later on he realizes that freewill is the better choice. Jonas also said, Theres nothing we can do. Its always been this way. Before me, before you, before the ones who came before you. Back and back and back. He was talking to The Giver about how there was nothing they could do to change the sameness in the community. However, Jonas and The Giver try to devise a plan to change the sameness in the community.

Lois Lowry wrote this book for reading entertainment purposes and to discuss the facts of living in a world without choices and memories. She also explains in detail how what seems like utopia could actually be dystopia. She has provided enough information to persuade the reader that having your own choices is better then being afraid of them or not having any at all.

I liked how Ms. Lowry wrote the book in the third person limited point of view and how she created such interesting characters. I believe she did a great job writing about the importance of choices, memory and being an individual. I could not put the book down because it was so flowing and enjoyable to read. I encourage you to read it also.