The Giver (The Giver, #1) in Clean Reads

Jul 14, 2008 Kathy * Bookworm Nation rated it really liked it

Shelves: dystopian-or-apocalyptic

Sometimes I am surprised when I pick up a book at the library and the cover is totally different than what I was expecting. Some books have a lot of different editions or re-printings. So, for this reason I wasn’t that surprised when I picked up my copy of The Giver and it had a totally different cover than what I have previously seen if. A lot of my friends have read and recommended this book to me and as I started reading I was really surprised and started to question why they thought I would Sometimes I am surprised when I pick up a book at the library and the cover is totally different than what I was expecting. Some books have a lot of different editions or re-printings. So, for this reason I wasn’t that surprised when I picked up my copy of The Giver and it had a totally different cover than what I have previously seen if. A lot of my friends have read and recommended this book to me and as I started reading I was really surprised and started to question why they thought I would be interested in this book. You see, the book I checked out was called The Giver, but it was by an author named Lynn Hall NOT Lois Lowry. The book I had checked out by mistake was (and I only read a little ways into it) about a high school student who falls in love with her teacher. Needless to say after I got a few pages in I did a double check online and realized I had picked up the wrong book. Since then, I have been a lot more careful when ordering a book from the library!

Finally, I received the correct book and was excited to see what all the hoopla was about. I had a vague idea about what the book was about, but was still surprised with the story. The writing was exceptional; you totally get sucked into the story and of course love Jonas and The Giver. It totally makes you grateful for God’s plan, and for His gift of free agency. Although life can be hard and bad things happen it is so worth it for all the good in the world. There is far more good than bad, and freedom is so important. I won’t get on my soapbox, but I will say this book really gives you perspective.

It reminded me a bit of the movie The Village, where a few people who had suffered greatly decide the world has gone out of control and decides to set up their own community. It also reminded me a bit of the book Ella Minnow Pea. In that story the town elders have all the decision making ability and pretty much go out of control. We see this in The Giver, where they even take away color, weather, or love. They go overboard and take way all the good things as well as all the bad.

I would probably rate this a 4.5, I would have given the book a full five stars, but I was completely dissatisfied with the ending, there was no closure. I would have liked to see more of what happens with Jonas and the people of his community. I still recommend this to everyone, it’s a great quick read and totally worth it. I look forward to reading Gathering Blue and Messenger (which I’ve been told are companion books to The Gift). ...more

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Jul 23, 2008 Shauna rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

a touching, thought provoking story giving insight into life without choice and agency, free from pain and sorrow, yet at the same time, void of a true understanding of joy and love. this is a perfect picture of what life would be like had we all be forced to partake of Satan's plan in the pre-existence.
yes, there is pain, and there is sorrow, but if we did not taste the bitter, we could not know the sweet.We are made for larger ends than earth can encompass.Let us be thankful for those luminou ...more

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Jul 05, 2008 Heather rated it liked it

Shelves: young-adult, 300-books-everyone-should-read

I liked this book but really would have like this book more if the author wouldn't have ended so abruptly. At least that's what I thought. I think she started to talk about the importance of agency but didn't take it to the next level like she could have. ...more

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Apr 10, 2008 April rated it really liked it

I was very intrigued with the story and enjoyed reading it. I would have liked to know more about how their community got to where they were. I was not happy with the ending, however. I still felt like I had too many unanswered questions.

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