We listened to this as the audio book as H was having a hard time getting through it for her school book battle read. It was very confusing to my 5th grade book lover.

I haven't really read many novels based on Utopian societies, but it opened up much discussion for her and I as we went through the book. Whats good/bad about a society that is determined for you. How we could apply some of it to our lives, but ultimately how "sameness" is detrimental. Especially the tradition of apologies and acceptance that were so routine that they really were not heartfelt.

It seems like such a lonely existence that the receiver must live. Not being able to share any of the heartache or concerns. And having your life planned out for you, never being able to choose. I love that once Jonas started receiving memories, he was willing to break free from the norms of what was laid out for him and to change the destiny of everyone in his community, especially saving Gabriel.

The odd thing I found about this audiobook was the weird placement of music--very random. And the narrator was very slow in reading. H read along with the audio and would often finish the page long before the narrator.

I would have loved though for the story to be longer--to find out what happens in Jonas's community when he leaves. So much detail went into everything else. But the novel revolves around Jonas and his experiences, and since he didn't experience the aftermath, neither shall we.