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A review by downthebookhole
The Giver by Lois Lowry
5.0
*4.5*
The Giver is a modern classic dystopian that has themes in which we can see threaded throughout the dystopian genre today. Although quite short this book manages to pack in a lot of information, action and thought provoking concepts in a subtle and effective way. The society has been able to maintain peace and what looks like a utopian civilization by keeping a "sameness" throughout all matters of life. This brings about the questions and thoughts of what is worth giving up to live a peaceful yet empty life. Love is not an emotion that is experienced along with many other emotions and states of mind. On the notion that ignorance is bliss this society is kept in the dark of many issues and brought up on the fact that your life is an open book which lying is looked down upon, but there are many secrets being kept from the citizens. Not all utopian communities are what they seem on the surface.
This book is told from the perspective of a almost 12 year old boy named Jonas. He is about to turn 12 yrs old and be assigned his job in the community. He ends up receiving a special job and with it comes many secrets that have been kept from him, his whole life and now he must figure out how to handle everything he had just learned. Although I do feel like the story might have been more effective coming from someone older, it was a very thought provoking novel.
There was a lack of depth in world building and character development because of it being so short and directed towards a younger audience, but I still think it is a very important must read. I enjoyed it even more the fourth time around because I knew the story and was really able to analyze and pick apart the story. There were so many situations and issues in which I stopped and thought a lot about. I put myself into Jonas's place and tried to figure out how I would handle the role and life he was put into. I think this is an important piece of work and a must read for those who enjoy the dystopian genre. Much like the other classic works of dystopian fiction, the more modern and current works draw on aspects and ideas that are brought about by these works.
The Giver is a modern classic dystopian that has themes in which we can see threaded throughout the dystopian genre today. Although quite short this book manages to pack in a lot of information, action and thought provoking concepts in a subtle and effective way. The society has been able to maintain peace and what looks like a utopian civilization by keeping a "sameness" throughout all matters of life. This brings about the questions and thoughts of what is worth giving up to live a peaceful yet empty life. Love is not an emotion that is experienced along with many other emotions and states of mind. On the notion that ignorance is bliss this society is kept in the dark of many issues and brought up on the fact that your life is an open book which lying is looked down upon, but there are many secrets being kept from the citizens. Not all utopian communities are what they seem on the surface.
This book is told from the perspective of a almost 12 year old boy named Jonas. He is about to turn 12 yrs old and be assigned his job in the community. He ends up receiving a special job and with it comes many secrets that have been kept from him, his whole life and now he must figure out how to handle everything he had just learned. Although I do feel like the story might have been more effective coming from someone older, it was a very thought provoking novel.
There was a lack of depth in world building and character development because of it being so short and directed towards a younger audience, but I still think it is a very important must read. I enjoyed it even more the fourth time around because I knew the story and was really able to analyze and pick apart the story. There were so many situations and issues in which I stopped and thought a lot about. I put myself into Jonas's place and tried to figure out how I would handle the role and life he was put into. I think this is an important piece of work and a must read for those who enjoy the dystopian genre. Much like the other classic works of dystopian fiction, the more modern and current works draw on aspects and ideas that are brought about by these works.