From the Bookshelf of Catching up on Classics (and lots more!)…

The Giver (The Giver, #1)

Lois Lowry

Start date: April 1, 2021

Finish date: April 30, 2021

Discussion: New School Classics- 1915-2005

Why we're reading this: April 2021 New School Classics Group Read
[close] April 2021 New School Classics Group Read

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New School Classics- 1915-2005

The Stepford Wives - Spoilers
By Lynn , New School Classics · 16 posts · 45 views

last updated Sep 29, 2025 01:54PM

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last updated Sep 15, 2025 11:39AM

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What Members Thought

Nov 05, 2012 Heather L rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: young-adult, 2013, banned-books, 2021

2013: I actually read an entire book in one day! I cannot remember the last time I made such an accomplishment. This was a great story, riveting and well-deserving of the numerous awards it has garnered.

2021: Finished rereading this for a classic group read, and enjoyed it as much as the first time.

11 likes · Like · see review

Dec 30, 2010 Terri rated it it was amazing

Shelves: young-adult, apocalyptic-dystopian-fiction, newberry-award-winner

In a post-apocalyptic world, everything is geared towards sameness and decisions are made for everyone. From the children parents "receive" to the names they are given, to the jobs they will hold. Til when they are "realeased". Only Jonas is special. He is to be the new "Receiver" of memories. He will hold all the pain of the past for the community. The Giver is the current receiveer who passes all these memories to him. Only this time, they decide it is time for the community to learn pain and ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Jan 19, 2013 Nadine in NY Jones rated it it was ok

Shelves: dystopian-and-post-apocalyptic

The Giver came out when I was already in my mid-20s, so I missed it the first time around. I’ve heard a lot about it, and seen it come highly recommended on many lists. I love dystopians, including YA dystopians, so I was really looking forward to reading this one that is beloved by so many.

I found it to be really disappointing. From hearing about it so much for so long, I had been expecting something amazing and groundbreaking and world-changing.

First of all, it was much more juvenile than I w The Giver came out when I was already in my mid-20s, so I missed it the first time around. I’ve heard a lot about it, and seen it come highly recommended on many lists. I love dystopians, including YA dystopians, so I was really looking forward to reading this one that is beloved by so many.

I found it to be really disappointing. From hearing about it so much for so long, I had been expecting something amazing and groundbreaking and world-changing.

First of all, it was much more juvenile than I was expecting. This is not YA, this is children’s literature – not that there’s anything wrong with that! It’s just not what I expected. Even considering that it is for children, it still felt very basic and plodding – not at all as interesting as some other fantastic sci-fi & dystopian children’s books, such as The White Mountains or A Wrinkle in Time. The writing just kind of plodded along, and everything was explained for the reader.

Second of all, it just wasn’t very original. That’s fine, I understand that stories are told over and over, I’m not one of those people who complained that Harry Potter or the Hunger Games were just rehashes of other works. I get it … Tristan and Isolde became Romeo and Juliet became an angst-filled YA romance, and perhaps 19841984 became The Giver became Matched. But the re-telling has to have some spark, some specialness, in order to be worthy of so much praise. What did this book have?

Thirdly, the dystopian world Did Not Make Sense. It just didn’t work. I had so many unanswered questions! (view spoiler) (I also spent a good bit of time wondering how this book won an award.)

And, finally, the ending was just so full of woo that I could barely keep reading. I was inwardly screaming, “that’s IT? This is how this great and inspiring book ends? With spiritual woo and Christmas lights???”

Alexander Skarsgård plays the dad in the movie version, so I think I’ll try to get it from the library some time and watch it. ...more

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Feb 05, 2011 Ann rated it liked it

Shelves: borrowed-from-library, child-hero

seemed like more of a morality story or thought experiment than anything. Short read. Probably I was expecting something much different than I got because of just coming off the Hunger Games.
The Hunger Games ...more

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Nov 06, 2009 Melissa rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction

Is this book dystopian fiction about the dangers of government control? Is it a thoughtful examination on the forgetfulness and sheep-like behaviors we humans are so prone to? Is it a coming of age story that teaches true maturity comes in our self-sacrificial service to others? Is it a reminder that we are at least partially responsible for atrocities committed by our nations and communities? Is a call to love others and stick up for those who cannot defend themselves?

Yes. And more too.

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Mar 05, 2007 Rachel rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: forthekidinme

I remember trying to listen to this on tape when I was little...didn't work, so years later I sucked it up and got the book from the library. I wasn't entranced by it. It was good, I read it in an hour and a half. I would have absolutely loved it when I was a kid though. ...more

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Sep 15, 2009 Jason rated it really liked it

Shelves: ebook, my-library, pbs-s-the-great-american-read

An interesting and quick read. Good story. I like how the settings and characters were developed during the novel. It stops a little quick for my taste, but I guess thats to get you to read the second book in the series. Which I most likely will.

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