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| "The worst part of holding the memories is not the pain. It's the loneliness of it. Memories need to be shared." -Lois Lowry, The Giver |
While the book is aimed toward the young adult audience, the story can be enjoyed by adults as well. Though the writing style is simple, the concept is certainly interesting; a futuristic world of controlled conformity. Everyone's life is planned out for them from beginning to end. As a baby, the citizen is assigned to parents. At the age of twelve, the citizen is assigned a career. If they want a partner, then a marriage will be arranged. Citizens do not have the freedom of choosing, but they all seem happy with the lives assigned to them. The story focuses on a young boy named Jonas, who is selected for an unusual fate--to be the Receiver of Memory. As the he begins reliving memories from past civilizations where things like love and pain existed, Jonas begins questioning the methods of his community.
What I liked best about The Giver was the complexity of the futuristic civilization, described as “The life where nothing was ever unexpected. Or inconvenient. Or unusual. The life without colour, pain or past.” From the start, the reader knows there is something strange about this society. The community is ruled by a Big Brother type figure, watching the citizens' every move. But at least Big Brother wants whats best for his people, right? The society becomes more and more chillingly horrifying as the pages are turned.
The concepts of choices and freedom are explored in The Giver. Is it better to live in a hectic world where you make your own choices and may be hurt, or in a world where you will be content and safe with your life planned out for you? Would you rather never experience true pleasure if it meant you would also never experience pain?
The Giver shows the beauty and importance found in every life and memory.
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