The Giver
Author: Lois Lowry Created by Julianna Berroa
“I feel sorry for anyone who is in a place where he feels strange and stupid.”
― Lois Lowry, The Giver
― Lois Lowry, The Giver
Summary
A world where you're unknowingly forced to live a foreseeable and very sheltered life created by a community of Elders. You've never felt a day of bitter cold or relaxing sunshine or the tune of music. Every age passed is given its own collective ceremony during the month of December, Twelves having the privilege of receiving their specifically chosen Assignments. Jonas is given an Assignment like no other, the heavy task of being the next Receiver of Memory. He is now going to replace the Giver as the one person in the community who has access to all the memories of the past. Though with memories comes pain and sorrow and as Jonas receives those memories filled with all sorts of emotions he realizes that things aren't as they seem compared to his world and the world before his own. With that realization he decided the community must change and creates a plan with the Giver, to flee the community for the Elsewhere. Jonas knows that if he makes it to Elsewhere the memories he hold now will make their way back to the community and its people but that will give them the idea of the meaningful things they've been missing out on.
Jonas
The pale eyed twelve year old boy bearing the most respected and honored title in the community: Receiver of Memory. Who's just begun to understand the truth of his community through the stream of memories he was fed through the Giver. Knowing more than anyone else made Jonas feel like an outsider. Jonas put himself aside and risked getting caught and released to save Gabriel from release and the community from sameness.
The Giver
The current Receiver of Memory carries the burden of memories suffers from the pain alone unable to share his thoughts with the exceedingly, passive community.
Gabriel
The sweet newchild, infant, of the story who's made home within Jonas' family unit for extra nurturing. Gabe ends up dodging release with the help of Jonas and will for change.
Fiona
One of Jonas' close friends. Fiona, the pretty red head who's been given the opportunity to work closely with the Old.
Teacher-Like Questions
- How are memories transferred? Is it like a radio wave?
- Who's the founder of the community? What inspired him/her?
- While the community is still getting used to having emotions who'll be the one to want to return to their bland and passive manners? Would they start over again and try and convince the minds of others?
Julianna rated it ★ ★ ★ ☆☆ Jan, 2016
This book was simplistic and very easy to comprehend. The characters were very flexible but not very personable so I didn't feel very connected with the story. The emotions provoked my thoughts though I'll give it that. It really made me think hypothetically about our society but the good always balances the bad and vise versa so there never will be a 'perfect'. I enjoyed the idea of book rather more than the actual writing. I'd recommend the Giver as a worth it read even if the ending was mildly disappointing.