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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Great adaptation. Well structured. Some of my favorite book moments were cut, but overall you get the full story and all the major points are hit.
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
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
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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:
N/A
dark
reflective
medium-paced
I read the novel of this back in 2017, I think, and I remember liking it, albeit with reservations. I thought the whole smiling fascism aspect of it was very well done, and I appreciated that the story didn't shy away from the genuinely horrific costs of living in this apparent utopia. It stuck at only three stars for me, however, because (with the best will in the world) I just didn't find the worldbuilding convincing, and it's the same with this very competent adaptation. It's a likeable graphic novel, but I can't get past things like Jonas' first experience of sunshine. The story can gabble on about climate control all it wants, but plants don't grow without photosynthesis, so how is this ecology even surviving? And the total dissolution of families when they stop living together... you leave home, as a young adult, and you just are never that bothered about seeing your parents again? Some dystopias manage this sort of thing very well. Orwell's fascist government of Nineteen Eighty-Four, for instance, has always struck me as horribly convincing in its attempts to sever the natural affection between parents and children.
The Giver just doesn't do the same. I'm mildly emotionally affected, but that's a response that lasts only as long as I can refrain from actually thinking about how this world holds together. I mean, I'm going to read the rest of them now, five years after starting the series, because I dislike not finishing series, but still. The graphic novel has at least allowed me to remind myself of the plot, so I'm glad I stumbled across it in the local library.
The Giver just doesn't do the same. I'm mildly emotionally affected, but that's a response that lasts only as long as I can refrain from actually thinking about how this world holds together. I mean, I'm going to read the rest of them now, five years after starting the series, because I dislike not finishing series, but still. The graphic novel has at least allowed me to remind myself of the plot, so I'm glad I stumbled across it in the local library.
beautiful, vibrant illustrations that perfectly capture the tone and eerie quality of lois lowry's classic. this graphic novel did such a wonderful job of embodying the giver in a different medium, and i was impressed by how russell managed to convey so much feeling from the original novel, sometimes with only a few, detailed frames or with no words at all. of course i'd recommend everyone to read the giver, but this is an addition i think any fan of the book will really enjoy as well!
Lois Lowry's The Giver is an absolute classic, a book that I have read more than once, though it's been awhile since the last time I did. I'm so glad such a deserving story has gotten the graphic novel treatment, and hopefully this format will bring the story to new readers.
The adaptation seemed faithful to the novel, as far as I recall. However, the illustration style wasn't really my cup of tea, and unfortunately I just didn't feel that emotional connection that I have with the novel version. I think this was a "it's not you, it's me" situation, as the story is certainly rendered on the page adequately. In my opinion, though, the classic novel version is preferable.
The adaptation seemed faithful to the novel, as far as I recall. However, the illustration style wasn't really my cup of tea, and unfortunately I just didn't feel that emotional connection that I have with the novel version. I think this was a "it's not you, it's me" situation, as the story is certainly rendered on the page adequately. In my opinion, though, the classic novel version is preferable.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
The story is well suited for graphic adaptation, the medium allows for such creative use of color. The imagery is poignant & striking. The reading was an overwhelmingly emotional experience that reminds us all of life's depth & meaning.