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A review by aejohnson85
The Giver by Lois Lowry
5.0
The first and only time that I'd read this was back in grade 7 for our language class. I remember enjoying it then but as time passed, I didn't remember as much as I would have liked. With the recent release of the movie version, I saw the book on sale on Kobo and decided to give it a whirl, and my goodness, am I ever glad I did.
I feel like I have a different perspective reading it now that I'm older/reading it for pleasure. I found myself questioning the utopian world that Lowry created and then playing devil's advocate with myself. In a world where "sameness" is valued, there would be no bullying or fear of not fitting in, but look at the cost...it's a world where there are no feelings, no love; your spouse is perfectly matched to you; you apply to be given children (and are only allowed one boy, one girl to ensure overpopulation isn't an issue)...it's a world without choice. I have to admit that part of that is alluring in some ways but also extremely terrifying.
Lowry is a gifted writer and the scenes between Jonas and The Giver are my favourites. The way that she describes sunshine, or riding down a hill on a sled are fantastic. The Giver's pain at the memories that he is forced to experience feels real and is heartbreaking - particularly the memory about war that he transfers to Jonas. His story about Rosemary, the failed receiver, too is heartbreaking - particularly towards the end where you find that she was his daughter.
I remember feeling a bit frustrated with the ending back in grade 7, as it is ambiguous, and I wanted to be told outright - did Jonas and Gabe make it to Elsewhere? Or was the sled a tipoff that they had died (this was more what I was leaning towards in my first read)? I have to say, I STILL find it ambiguous as an adult, as I can honestly see it going either way. I'm told there are sequels to this which must mean they ARE alive, though I still find myself questioning that outcome (as depressing as that makes the ending).
This is a book that will certainly stay with me for awhile to come, even though I have started something new...I'm also interested in checking out the movie adaptation to see how well it translates to the screen.
I feel like I have a different perspective reading it now that I'm older/reading it for pleasure. I found myself questioning the utopian world that Lowry created and then playing devil's advocate with myself. In a world where "sameness" is valued, there would be no bullying or fear of not fitting in, but look at the cost...it's a world where there are no feelings, no love; your spouse is perfectly matched to you; you apply to be given children (and are only allowed one boy, one girl to ensure overpopulation isn't an issue)...it's a world without choice. I have to admit that part of that is alluring in some ways but also extremely terrifying.
Lowry is a gifted writer and the scenes between Jonas and The Giver are my favourites. The way that she describes sunshine, or riding down a hill on a sled are fantastic. The Giver's pain at the memories that he is forced to experience feels real and is heartbreaking - particularly the memory about war that he transfers to Jonas. His story about Rosemary, the failed receiver, too is heartbreaking - particularly towards the end where you find that she was his daughter.
I remember feeling a bit frustrated with the ending back in grade 7, as it is ambiguous, and I wanted to be told outright - did Jonas and Gabe make it to Elsewhere? Or was the sled a tipoff that they had died (this was more what I was leaning towards in my first read)? I have to say, I STILL find it ambiguous as an adult, as I can honestly see it going either way. I'm told there are sequels to this which must mean they ARE alive, though I still find myself questioning that outcome (as depressing as that makes the ending).
This is a book that will certainly stay with me for awhile to come, even though I have started something new...I'm also interested in checking out the movie adaptation to see how well it translates to the screen.