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theliterarylayla's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This book is so good, short and simple, but just so amazing with such little material.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Child death
dazedl's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
This book felt shorter than expected. I'm left with more questions than answers, and although I enjoyed every bit of the story, I wish the plot was a bit more fleshed out.. at least another 100 pages more for the background of the "community" that Jonas lived in and the development of his relationship with The Giver.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
onthesamepage's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was probably my first dystopian book, before I even knew that was its own subgenre. Rereading former favourites doesn't always work out, but in this case I was still just as impressed by the book.
The way the author builds up the world is clever. There's this slow, creeping sense of dread as you progress in the story. Every scene has a purpose, and it all builds up to a pretty horrifying picture. But the really impressive thing is that all this is accomplished without any frills, and in a very short book.
Some things are left rather vague, like how the actual transfer of memories works (all the Giver has to do is touch Jonas and send him a memory, which almost feels like there's a magical aspect to it? Unless they all have implants that make this possible somehow), and some other things I won't mention to avoid spoilers, but the book feels like it's for lower YA (maybe even middle grade), and I think in that context it makes sense to avoid overly technical explanations. It didn't really bother me, it's just one of those "oh, I wonder how that works" things my brain likes to get stuck on once in a while.
The way the author builds up the world is clever. There's this slow, creeping sense of dread as you progress in the story. Every scene has a purpose, and it all builds up to a pretty horrifying picture. But the really impressive thing is that all this is accomplished without any frills, and in a very short book.
Some things are left rather vague, like how the actual transfer of memories works (all the Giver has to do is touch Jonas and send him a memory, which almost feels like there's a magical aspect to it? Unless they all have implants that make this possible somehow), and some other things I won't mention to avoid spoilers, but the book feels like it's for lower YA (maybe even middle grade), and I think in that context it makes sense to avoid overly technical explanations. It didn't really bother me, it's just one of those "oh, I wonder how that works" things my brain likes to get stuck on once in a while.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Suicide
Minor: Child abuse
itstruly_flower's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Murder
saraellenme's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Minor: War and Child abuse
coldbutterk's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Suicide, and War
catsandbooks1's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Child abuse
Minor: War, Violence, Death, Animal cruelty, Pregnancy, Suicide, and Grief
jselliot's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Probably my first introduction to the dystopian genre, and an enduring favorite. The entire quartet is great, but the first book is arguably the best. It certainly made little-me think, and I've come back to it a few times since I first read it.
I see the movie as an alternate universe, and while it's not book-accurate, it's still entertaining for its own reasons.
I see the movie as an alternate universe, and while it's not book-accurate, it's still entertaining for its own reasons.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Suicide
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Xenophobia, Child abuse, Gaslighting, and Violence
Minor: War, Medical content, Ableism, and Medical trauma
abrose2001's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The absolute classic everyone has to read once. A good introduction to dystopia, without too heavy of themes or distraction from the fact that this is a utopia that can't work out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Ableism
stacy837's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Suicide and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Murder and Physical abuse