The Giver

I put off writing this blog because I had a lot of trouble thinking of a book that truely changed my life in some way. Instead, I chose a book that I not only loved and still love, but one that made me think of things in a different light. Lois Lowry's The Giver is a novel about a boy named Jonas who lives in a world where everything is regulated-there are no colors, no emotions, no...anything. He is assigned a job, however, of holding all the "memories" of what the world was once like (colorful, emotional, etc.), which leads him to understanding that the world he lives in is essentially empty.

Although this is not the most advanced book, and the first time I read it was in middle school, I think in a lot of ways it opened my eyes. For the first time, I thought about a world different than my own and what would happen if things changed. I would reccomend this book to anyone-it may be an easy read but it's definitely a good one.

Comments

[Emily B.]

I remember reading this in middle school as well...I thought it was a good read at the time too and it definitely does a good job at opening people's eyes, even young children because it is so accessible.

[Jared C.]

I have also read this book and had the same feelings. I agree that The Giver is both strange and perverse novel, the part that always frightened me was the fact that the people would be euthanized if they were no longer usable to society. I think anyone who assigns to the ideals of utilitarianism would not enjoy this book. I think it asks what pain is their when cease to be human and we forget pain. Although paradoxical, I think it works in the context of this story.