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niccinite's review against another edition
4.0
I was told by a girl at work that this was "the best book ever". She had read it as an assignement in grade school and loved it so much that she has read it many times since. I have to disagree on "the best book ever" part. I did enjoy this read. I did not feel any particular emotional connection (or connection at all) to any of the characters, but I did enjoy the story and the meaning behind it. I can not imagine living in a world with no color, music, LOVE!! That's a huge one to me. When Jonas asks his parents if they love him...their response is (in my opinion) heartbreaking. But of course it only comes because they don't know any different. I definitly recommend this book, maybe not to grade schoolers. I can't imaging they would understand the story, I know I wouldn't have in grade school.
chadmy123's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
3.75
kerameia's review against another edition
5.0
Breath takingly beautiful in its childlike narrative, simple language, and poignant questions about life & its value.
What "The Hunger Games" did in three books--create a controlled world, mold a character according to her circumstances and choices, and subsequently re-analyze that world--"The Giver" did in 180 pages (not hating "The Hunger Games," which I love ... but just saying).
What "The Hunger Games" did in three books--create a controlled world, mold a character according to her circumstances and choices, and subsequently re-analyze that world--"The Giver" did in 180 pages (not hating "The Hunger Games," which I love ... but just saying).
djray8's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
i_like_big_books_mml's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
callienicole's review against another edition
4.0
I was interested in reading this after I saw the movie a few years ago, and I finally picked it up. This is one of those rare cases where I think the movie is just as good as the book.
In this story, Jonas lives in a community where everything is very organized and precise. Decisions are made by a group of Elders on who marries who, who is placed into which family, and what every person's profession is. People who don't follow the rules are "released", along with the old and babies who aren't placed in families.
When children reach 12 years old they are told what their profession will be. Jonas is very nervous about the ceremony, but even more nervous when he find out he is to be the next "Receiver Of Memory". He starts his training, and it's soon clear that he isn't to receive personal memories from The Giver, or memories of the community, but through a somewhat magical process receives memories from the whole of humanity. In a place where no one has these memories except him and the Giver, he has to learn how to deal with his new knowledge and make some decisions.
Religious: There really is no religious statement in this book. The way memories are transmitted and some of the talk of "seeing beyond" (which is kind of like seeing things beyond the "sameness" of the community, or having some innate memories of things like color) could be construed as New Age or mystical beliefs, so Christian parents may want to be aware of that or preview the book themselves. But since this whole world was kind of "out there", I put the whole book, including these fantastical elements, more into the category of the fantasy genre.
Language: No bad language.
Sexual Content: One of the training assignments for the kids is to bathe the old, though no nakedness is described. Jonas ends up having to take a pill to eliminate the "Stirrings" when he shows signs of sexual curiosity in a dream (dreaming about wanting a girl to take off her clothes). Jonas stops taking the pills and "pleasurable dreams" are mentioned.
Violence and Ethical: This community believes and practices euthanasia, though since the community has eliminated differences and memories, and medicated away strong feelings and pain and their own consciences, they don't see the problem with this. Jonas, since he has started receiving the memories, does see the problem, and he and the Giver devise a plan to change things, though the Giver still does mention wanting to be "released" when it's all over. Graphic memories of war and poaching are transmitted to Jonas, though the gory descriptions are kept to a minimum.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book as an adult and am still thinking about a lot of the themes about the importance of history and memories, and of feeling even painful things. Though the community has eliminated all sources of pain, it becomes clear that this is dysfunctional in a whole new way, and in order to truly experience love, courage, family, and wisdom, pain must also be endured. I really enjoyed it.
HOWEVER, I do take issue with the middle-grade age range on this. I would not hand this to a child until they were AT LEAST 12, and I would probably wait to hand it to my kids until upper high school, personally. I think some maturity is necessary to really process the themes that this book introduces and get something useful out of it, and some kids will be too sensitive for some of these topics until they are a little older. There is some sexual content that is something that should be discussed with parents, and I would hope wouldn't necessarily be introduced through a book, so that's another reason I would wait. It is also not a book that I would want my kids to process by themselves, it would ideally be part of a parent-child book club situation, since alot of the themes aren't going to be fully appreciated until...well, maybe not even until adulthood. It's an interesting book to read together and prompt discussion, but not necessarily in the middle grade years, in my opinion.
In this story, Jonas lives in a community where everything is very organized and precise. Decisions are made by a group of Elders on who marries who, who is placed into which family, and what every person's profession is. People who don't follow the rules are "released", along with the old and babies who aren't placed in families.
When children reach 12 years old they are told what their profession will be. Jonas is very nervous about the ceremony, but even more nervous when he find out he is to be the next "Receiver Of Memory". He starts his training, and it's soon clear that he isn't to receive personal memories from The Giver, or memories of the community, but through a somewhat magical process receives memories from the whole of humanity. In a place where no one has these memories except him and the Giver, he has to learn how to deal with his new knowledge and make some decisions.
Religious: There really is no religious statement in this book. The way memories are transmitted and some of the talk of "seeing beyond" (which is kind of like seeing things beyond the "sameness" of the community, or having some innate memories of things like color) could be construed as New Age or mystical beliefs, so Christian parents may want to be aware of that or preview the book themselves. But since this whole world was kind of "out there", I put the whole book, including these fantastical elements, more into the category of the fantasy genre.
Language: No bad language.
Sexual Content: One of the training assignments for the kids is to bathe the old, though no nakedness is described. Jonas ends up having to take a pill to eliminate the "Stirrings" when he shows signs of sexual curiosity in a dream (dreaming about wanting a girl to take off her clothes). Jonas stops taking the pills and "pleasurable dreams" are mentioned.
Violence and Ethical: This community believes and practices euthanasia, though since the community has eliminated differences and memories, and medicated away strong feelings and pain and their own consciences, they don't see the problem with this. Jonas, since he has started receiving the memories, does see the problem, and he and the Giver devise a plan to change things, though the Giver still does mention wanting to be "released" when it's all over. Graphic memories of war and poaching are transmitted to Jonas, though the gory descriptions are kept to a minimum.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book as an adult and am still thinking about a lot of the themes about the importance of history and memories, and of feeling even painful things. Though the community has eliminated all sources of pain, it becomes clear that this is dysfunctional in a whole new way, and in order to truly experience love, courage, family, and wisdom, pain must also be endured. I really enjoyed it.
HOWEVER, I do take issue with the middle-grade age range on this. I would not hand this to a child until they were AT LEAST 12, and I would probably wait to hand it to my kids until upper high school, personally. I think some maturity is necessary to really process the themes that this book introduces and get something useful out of it, and some kids will be too sensitive for some of these topics until they are a little older. There is some sexual content that is something that should be discussed with parents, and I would hope wouldn't necessarily be introduced through a book, so that's another reason I would wait. It is also not a book that I would want my kids to process by themselves, it would ideally be part of a parent-child book club situation, since alot of the themes aren't going to be fully appreciated until...well, maybe not even until adulthood. It's an interesting book to read together and prompt discussion, but not necessarily in the middle grade years, in my opinion.
reydeam's review against another edition
5.0
This is a most excellent book. Most excellent! There is so much to take away from this mere 180 pages of story. It is packed with good, solid writing along with a plot that unwraps layer after layer of the world-building, character development, themes and concepts. Thought provoking.
There is so much to discuss. So much. And yet, I don't want to discuss the story...not right now. I want to sit in the story a bit longer, letting it sink in. But, I will say, I loved Jonas - witnessing his world through his eyes, and being along with him as his view on his world changed; this, for me, worked well. I also appreciated the relationship between Jonas and the Giver; their relationship along Jonas's relationship with Gabe gave the story purpose and depth. (I have overly simplified why I loved this book.)
With no doubt, The Giver is a worthy book for discussion - many topics at hand - I do hope my 15 year old will read it soon. I want to discuss this one with her, and others too, but definitely her. This book has solidly landed itself on my "Must Read" bookshelf and list.
Side note: The Giver, the Newbery Medal winner for 1994, is an example of great literature for children. Albeit, The Giver is more appropriate for those children near age 14 or even older; they will gain far more from this story than the younger ages. Plus, I think age 14+ may be more equipped to handle a few shocking realities of the The Giver's community. (Age 14 is the older end of the age range deemed for children literature per ALA for the Newbery Medal terms and criteria.)
There is so much to discuss. So much. And yet, I don't want to discuss the story...not right now. I want to sit in the story a bit longer, letting it sink in. But, I will say, I loved Jonas - witnessing his world through his eyes, and being along with him as his view on his world changed; this, for me, worked well. I also appreciated the relationship between Jonas and the Giver; their relationship along Jonas's relationship with Gabe gave the story purpose and depth. (I have overly simplified why I loved this book.)
With no doubt, The Giver is a worthy book for discussion - many topics at hand - I do hope my 15 year old will read it soon. I want to discuss this one with her, and others too, but definitely her. This book has solidly landed itself on my "Must Read" bookshelf and list.
Side note: The Giver, the Newbery Medal winner for 1994, is an example of great literature for children. Albeit, The Giver is more appropriate for those children near age 14 or even older; they will gain far more from this story than the younger ages. Plus, I think age 14+ may be more equipped to handle a few shocking realities of the The Giver's community. (Age 14 is the older end of the age range deemed for children literature per ALA for the Newbery Medal terms and criteria.)
emeszee's review against another edition
3.0
I finished the book around two weeks ago alreadyhahah. I really liked this book, but the ending just felt abrupt and left me feeling just...Agh. I feel like it needs an actual sequel. I know it says '(The Giver, #1)', but they're just companions. I think just a second book that would satisfactorily wrap up the story would be g r e a t.
[3/5 because satisfying endings are best]
[3/5 because satisfying endings are best]