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A review by onthesamepage
The Giver by Lois Lowry
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