Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Such a great classic. Looking forward to the movie with my friend Megan!
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A very enjoyable read. While technically meant for younger readers, is well written with larger aims. Reminds us that without pain there's no joy, and what a world that chooses to give up the good because people can't always handle the bad would be like. Also reinforces the lest we forget notion, all in a new and innovative potential future. Despite potential meanings of the end, interested to read the sequels, which take one of many views.
dark
emotional
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:
Yes
mysterious
reflective
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:
Yes
Ah it's all gone awry hasn't it? A moment ago I was all up to date on these reviews, and suddenly here we are, halfway through 2025, and we have not kept up. We being me and myself, unless of course you are reading this too, in which case you may keep us company.
The Giver was gifted to me, or I should say loaned, by a friend at my book club who held it in high esteem. Being that I am a capitalist I of course bought the book for myself as well, but the thought still rates highly. Many people told me that the Giver was a big deal, and it was in part responsible for the surge of dystopian young adult fiction that dominated the 2010's.
Whether or not this is true I do not know, but I can say I found the book quite enjoyable. I can see how its simplicity could appeal to a younger reader, but it never felt disrespectful of my intelligence as someone a tad older.
It felt like a fable; short with an easy to digest message. But I liked the main character and I appreciated the Giver himself, and the way the book describes awakening to feelings and emotions that have never been felt before. I can see how this book could have a really big impact if read in school, but I think any adult can get more than enough out of it too.
I liked it.
The Giver was gifted to me, or I should say loaned, by a friend at my book club who held it in high esteem. Being that I am a capitalist I of course bought the book for myself as well, but the thought still rates highly. Many people told me that the Giver was a big deal, and it was in part responsible for the surge of dystopian young adult fiction that dominated the 2010's.
Whether or not this is true I do not know, but I can say I found the book quite enjoyable. I can see how its simplicity could appeal to a younger reader, but it never felt disrespectful of my intelligence as someone a tad older.
It felt like a fable; short with an easy to digest message. But I liked the main character and I appreciated the Giver himself, and the way the book describes awakening to feelings and emotions that have never been felt before. I can see how this book could have a really big impact if read in school, but I think any adult can get more than enough out of it too.
I liked it.
Actual rating: 4.5 stars rounded up.
Well, damn. I read this, as an adult, for a reading challenge prompt and was not expecting it to be quite so effectively written, thought-provoking, and engrossing. I also was not expecting to want to keep going with the series, but I guess I'm reading the next book now.
Well, damn. I read this, as an adult, for a reading challenge prompt and was not expecting it to be quite so effectively written, thought-provoking, and engrossing. I also was not expecting to want to keep going with the series, but I guess I'm reading the next book now.
like drinking hot chocolate, really comfortable and satisfying to read.
---
choosing to interpret the ending as Jonas gradually dying from exposure whilst hallucinating, it was an excellent book.
if it's meant to be a happy ending with him going off to live in Christmas land then "fuck that" magical narnia bollocks.
as I read the last chapter both interpretations seemed equally valid. I though this duality and potential confusion ended the book really well :)
---
choosing to interpret the ending as Jonas gradually dying from exposure whilst hallucinating, it was an excellent book.
if it's meant to be a happy ending with him going off to live in Christmas land then "fuck that" magical narnia bollocks.
as I read the last chapter both interpretations seemed equally valid. I though this duality and potential confusion ended the book really well :)
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
No