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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
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:
No
adventurous
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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:
Complicated
emotional
mysterious
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:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Loved the story. Would've loved it more if it expanded on its universe, secondary characters and b-plots.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Suicide, Murder
"They know nothing."
Just as Jonas had often struggled with precision of language in the book, I myself cannot find the proper word to describe how I feel about this book. I think I found it disturbing and sad, yet gratifying and refreshing. I'll go with quaint.
I had the faintest idea of what the story was about before I began reading it. I didn't known it was dystopian, nor that this was (apparently) partly for children, so frankly, I did not know what to expect. Save for some Goodreads reviews, which I read to get a feel of what and what not to expect, I have heard nothing but good things about this from friends.
When I began, I had just finished reading a book that was evidently very different from The Giver. A page in, I thought it would take me a while to get into it, but by the end of the first chapter, my interest was piqued. More chapters in and I found myself unwilling to put it down as I delved further into the story.
I liked the writing for one. The third-person narration, simple and calm, was refreshing for me, after a first-person roller coaster ride with my last book. The most memorable moments were subtle and effortlessly expressed, effectively making me feel what I believe we were supposed to: whether it was grief or delight or heartbreak, I felt it.
Spoiler
The "community" was also intriguing for me: the aging system, the Ceremony, and the Assignments. I found myself wondering how I would have fared if I was there with them.. The more we were told about the community though, realization sunk in that I did not want to be a part of that. The Sameness just felt so unnerving to me, not to mention the Release. The fact that the Receiver and Giver were the ones who would have to bear all those emotions and memories for the whole community just seemed so tragic and.. wrong.Sure, I would have wanted a different ending: one where we learned what happened to our Jonas and Gabriel next. Sure, I found some of the elements pretty unrealistic and far-fetched. And really, this did not feel like a story meant for children. I personally don't think they would fully appreciate this in their first read. It seemed like one of those books where children were meant to vaguely learn a lesson by showing them a creepy alternative. I have a story to compare to said feeling that I just can't quite grasp at the moment.
For some reason, this was my absolute least favorite book from approximately the summer before third grade until I read Brave New World in high school. Now, I guess I appreciate it for what it is—at least, I hope I still remember the message...
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated