Book Review: The Giver by Lois Lowry

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Pages: 179
Published: Jan 1993
Genres: Children's, Classics, Dystopian

Goodreads Synopsis... 
Jonas' 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.

Review...  
This book is like closing your eyes, and experiencing a memory you've never seen before. You know whats happening and you can feel the emotions that are brought out. But you just cant name them, explain them. Its on the tip of your tongue...

So instead of trying, Im just going to give you three reasons you should pick up The Giver.

1. It is not a fast paced dystopian, it is a journey into another world. One that seems perfect and oddly reasonable at first. But that surprises you with how different it is, and how little things can change everything.

2. One of my favourite themes is that to experience pleasure, we must endure pain. It is a lesson often repeated, but the simple way this book shows it, makes it mean more. Makes it striking in its tragic balance. 

3. The way the story is written is so simple, yet so hauntingly beautiful. There is an ambiguity that is present throughout the whole story, especially at the end. And I think this adds to the book. Its like being in a dream. Feeling the intense emotions from what is happening, and then waking only remembering how it felt. 

This was a beautiful book, and I look forward to reading it again in the future. And seeing what it has to say to me then.

4.5/5