Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the Community. When Jonas turns twelve, he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now, it is time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.
This was a reread for me. It was wonderful to experience this book for the second time. My rereading of it did not, in anyway, affect the emotions that come along with reading this book. I still found myself shocked, and in tears through certain passages. Never has a book so rightfully earned its 5 stars on Goodreads.
The Giver is set in a Utopian world. Different from the distopian novels that are so popular in the YA world today, . The main character Jonas is intelligent and curious. In this world children receive their job assignments when they are 12 years old. When Jonas is selected as the communities new Receiver, he is unsure what to expect.
This story is set in an exquisitely well crafted society. Lowry leaves no stone unturned when describing the way food, family, and jobs are handled in her world. Lowry uses her "perfect" world to explain how control and safety can also mean sacrifices. Choices are nonexistent, neither are feelings. Jonas, the main character, takes us on a fascinating journey to find out what this means for humanity. How important are feelings like anger and love? Are they more important than safety, and comfort?
The Giver is a must read for everyone. It stands strong as one of my favorite books of all time, and for good reasons. It forces the reader to question the world around them. Thought provoking does not even begin to describe it.
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