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I picked this up because of the Newberry Medal it received. I'm glad I did. Jonas lives in a world of sameness. Everything is the same: the people, the weather, the days. There is no crime, no one different, not even any colors. Jonas' life changes drastically when he is selected to be "The Receiver." This position of honor entitles him to receive memories from the distant past, and burdens him with feelings for the first time.
Lowry's tale is reminiscent of "The Handmaid's Tale" and "A Brave Ne ...more
Lowry's tale is reminiscent of "The Handmaid's Tale" and "A Brave Ne ...more
Man, I had forgotten just how awesome this book is. This is the book that started the whole YA dystopian craze and for that alone I love it. I love its simplicity (although I wouldn't mind if it were a bit longer), I love the vague ending, and I love that there are companion novels I haven't read yet but soon will.
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Aug 11, 2011
Wendy E.
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I liked this and can certainly understand why the kids always rave about it. It probably would have helped if this had been my first dystopian novel instead of my 50th.
I have put off reading this book most of my life...I have NEVER been a fan of Sci-Fi...and somehow I avoided it in school. It has been sitting on my shelf to read since I became a teacher because it is a book that is taught to ESL high school students...so finally, I forced myself to read it.
As much as I may hate sci-fi and Utopia books...I enjoyed this story (though the whole time I was waiting for something horrible). It is an interesting idea to create a world and have the students explore i ...more
As much as I may hate sci-fi and Utopia books...I enjoyed this story (though the whole time I was waiting for something horrible). It is an interesting idea to create a world and have the students explore i ...more
Lowry creates a society where no one sees color or has feelings. Families are limited and created by a committee. Religion seems to be non-existent. Rules are the rage and no one really makes any actual choices. Only one man, the Receiver, has memories of the "old" and different world. He is soon to be Old, when he will be released (a euphemism for euthanized), and must pass on (or give) his memories to an heir.
Parents almost universally protest their children reading this in school. I think it' ...more
Parents almost universally protest their children reading this in school. I think it' ...more
Since I'm (embarrassingly) really into YA apocalyptic books, I decided to read this book. It is on many "best book" lists.
The best thing about this book is that the main character's name is Jonas. His best friend is Asher. What are the chances?! And I didn't know that before I purchased the book.
The book's storyline is simple, not gory, and tame for what usually are apocalyptic books. I liked it enough (thank goodness because I liked it for the names alone!), though its not one of my favorites ...more
The best thing about this book is that the main character's name is Jonas. His best friend is Asher. What are the chances?! And I didn't know that before I purchased the book.
The book's storyline is simple, not gory, and tame for what usually are apocalyptic books. I liked it enough (thank goodness because I liked it for the names alone!), though its not one of my favorites ...more
This book is apparently a classic but I had never read it before. The author creates a believable future world in which sameness is required and helps the reader see value in differences.
