The Giver [Lois Lowry]

Lois Lowry. The Giver
Houghton Mifflin Company, 1993
YA. Fantasy. Newbery

Summary
The Giver is about a society of the future, where it is slowly revealed that humanity has created a perfect world. It is a world without strife, hunger, fear, pain, or injustice. People are open about their thoughts and feelings. Families are chosen units and people’s life choices are mapped out for them. Jonas was born into this world and it is the only way he knows.

When children reach the age of 12 they are given their “life assignments” or jobs and they begin training. Jonas is given a very special job. He is chosen to hold the memories of the past. Jonas learns about good things that his world no longer has, like snow, sunshine, and love. But he also learns about the horrible things that were eliminated for a reason, hunger, war, and pain. Jonas and his teacher, the Giver, are the only people burdened with this information. They both feel that the society is missing something- free will. People don’t know what they are missing in order to make their own choices or form their own opinions.

Reaction
I loved the book up until the very ending, I couldn’t put it down. I was left with a sense of uneasiness and doubt since the book doesn’t give you a conclusive ending. You are left wondering what happens to Jonas.

But Lowry builds an intriguing world based around the question, “are we better off with or without free will?” Humans had given up many beautiful and wonderful things, like color and sunshine, but they no longer had to deal with hunger and pain. Is that a better world? Or will people only be happy when they are free to make their own choices? Is the happiness they feel true happiness if they have nothing bad to compare the good to?

This is a book that will make teens think and ponder interesting questions using an unthreatening, imaginary world. It’s a book that leaves you with questions, not answers.