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A review by lima_bean_ninja
The Giver by Lois Lowry
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-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
5.0
a book about love and grief and the hope that things can change
i can see how at first glance people interpret it as a communism critique, but if you think about it more closely,
the equal allotment of capital (aka the communism) is portrayed as one of the major positive aspects of their society. the big question the book asks you to consider is to what extent is sacrifice for the “greater good” worth it? logically, their way of living may be the most efficient or rational, but emotionally we feel strongly that it isn’t right. our feelings tell us that it’s cruel to kill a baby, even if in general this system allows the majority of people to enjoy a safe life. it’s our feelings—our love, our morals, our grief—that make us complete, and by ignoring them we risk losing our humanity.
i can see how at first glance people interpret it as a communism critique, but if you think about it more closely,
the equal allotment of capital (aka the communism) is portrayed as one of the major positive aspects of their society. the big question the book asks you to consider is to what extent is sacrifice for the “greater good” worth it? logically, their way of living may be the most efficient or rational, but emotionally we feel strongly that it isn’t right. our feelings tell us that it’s cruel to kill a baby, even if in general this system allows the majority of people to enjoy a safe life. it’s our feelings—our love, our morals, our grief—that make us complete, and by ignoring them we risk losing our humanity.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Violence