Reviews with content warning for Grief - El Dador

Reviews tagging 'Grief'

El Dador by Lois Lowry

36 reviews

kimbankss's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious sad 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: Yes

Content Warnings

levilore_'s review against another edition

3.75

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

The audiobook was really good especially as someone who has read this book previously. I loved the different voices although Jonas' voice was sometimes annoying. I think this is a great example of good dystopian storytelling and the length of it lends itself to those like me who have a hard time with sci-fi. Excited to finally read the rest of the series!

Content Warnings

maryconney's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective 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: Complicated

Content Warnings

acourtofsaraflames's review against another edition

3.75

challenging emotional fast-paced

Even though I’ve read this in middle school almost 20 years ago, it was like reading it for the first time now. I remembered so little. The only two things that I remembered were Jonas throwing an apple and noticing it “changing” and that he was meeting with an older man to receive memories/visions. Maybe I didn’t pay attention or comprehend what I’d read or maybe time just erased what I’d once read. There’s one quote towards the end of the book that I really liked: "If he had stayed, he would have starved in other ways. He would have lived a life hungry for feelings, for color, for love."

Content Warnings

mikathereviewer's review against another edition

3.0

reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

The Giver is about a society that has strict rules and prefers 'sameness' over 'difference' and 'change'. Everything needs to be the same and everything gets assigned to you. Your professon, love interested even your children gets assigned to you. There is no freedom of choice as there is also no freedom of expression. Jonas receives memories from the Giver that no one else's holds.

At first I was excited to read this book, the premise sounded interesting and I saw that quite a lot have read this book. I liked many things, for instance how The Giver and Jonas formed a relationship that was characterised by kidness and understanding. They bonded through these memories they shared. Another thing that was interesting to see was how Jonas reacted to the memories he received. The way his mind and behaviour changed.
I also liked how the new things (like seeing beyond) was described to us readers, giving the feeling like we experienced it for the first time as well. While I read about the things that Jonas and also the rest of the people didn't know of as they didn't have this memory and therefore knowledge I was shocked. I couldn't imagine how one could lose that much. While reading I learnt how selfish the society was to burden the Giver with all memories and not wanting to have these memories as well. That made the Giver feel very lonely, as he had no one to share his feelings about. I felt sad for him, especially as to how his behaviour when he was sad was described.

Some afternoons The Giver sent him away without training. Jonas knew, on days when he arrived to find The Giver hunched over, rocking his body slightly back and forth, his face pale, that he would be sent away.
“Go,” The Giver would tell him tensely. “I’m in pain today. Come back tomorrow.”

At some moments the writing style delivered the feeling one should feel while reading it good enough, but I was bothered how the book lacked any depth. The premise of this book made me think that there will be a lot of feelings, especially for the reader while reading. This didn't happen and in general I felt after I finished now this book, as if something was missing. I wished there would have been more to it, especially as the ending felt rushed too. The ending left me dissatisfied, I expected something else and I think that it was the wrong choice to end this book like this.
+ the plot twists weren't shocking to me, as they were hinted on multiple times before they were revealed.

Even though the concept/idea behind this book had so much potential it wasn't executed. The writing style was beautiful and in some moments I did feel sad (mainly for the Giver), but I didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped for.

Content Warnings

katiejean12's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

Not sure why it was better the second time?? Two years ago I gave it a 3/5. I’m looking forward to trying the next book in the series. Very engaging! I did listen to the audiobook, so that could be why.

5/5: Would recommend!

Content Warnings

goemonxiii's review against another edition

4.5

challenging dark hopeful reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

The Giver is surprisingly good for a book most people read in middle school and immediately forgot. I'd highly recommend rereading it as an adult, or reading it for the first time.

Content Warnings