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Summary: State of Emotions
Review: A review by KayteeThe Giver is a novel set in black and white talking about the color of emotions. This book is focused on telling the world how there should be no hate, no crime, no hurt or pain. It also describes everyone being happy and living a cheerful life, as we all know, that's not how it is in this world unfortunately. A young man given the name Jonas was given the chance to become the quote on quote "Receiver of memories." As he turns 12 years old he's known as The Giver. He sees everything in a good way but realizes how much of a difference there is in the world. I didn't enjoy reading "The Giver" at all. The beginning of this book was so boring, and didn't catch my attention one bit. But as a read on and on I would get more into it. But soon enough it would lose my attention again. The beginning was a little bit strange at some parts. Towards the middle I enjoyed a lot! I think it is because that's where all the action is, and the ending, well, let's just say the author really lost me there! I think this book deserves two starts because it's that kind of book that can catch your attention at some points but others you just feel as if you don't want to read it anymore. Hopefully next time we choose a book to read I'll know its one I actually have an interest in. I strongly do not recommend this book to a young adult. I think this book should before mature audiences because he talks about injections as well as his love for a lady. I don't think that should be allowed for a 9 or 10 year old.
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Summary: Humanism is finally exposed for the cruelity it is!
Review: A round of applause for Ms. Lowry who has done an excellent job of showing the logical result of humanism in her book, "The Giver"! In order to cope with our irresistable urge to sin, she portrays a "society" which has finally solved all the world's problems by taking away all external stimuli which might provoke a citizen to sin. This is the 1990's parallel to "1984". Like "1984", everyone is kept under constant supervision and announcements are made over a loudspeaker when a rule is broken. As the main character Jonas, who has just turned 12 years old, begins experiencing true emotions, he rebells against the choices that have been denied him and has exposed his family and the people around him as creatures who have no true capacity to care about one another. The emotions his family, as well as others, do feel are only self-centered and never show a deep concern for others. People in the "society" who rebell are dealt with swifty. They are "released", i.e., put to sleep, killed. Babies who do not gain enough weight are killed. Older people are killed. It is also acceptable to kill yourself. All, of course, for the benefit of society. I do not recommend this book be read outloud in a classroom situation for children under the age of 14. There are topics in this book that a child may not be equipped emotionally to handle. The experience of "stirrings", a metaphor for sexual arousal, is also not age appropriate for children under the age of 14. To read about an 11 year old girl bathing a naked elderly man and about how an 11 year old boy bathes a naked elderly woman would be uncomfortable in any class-room setting. If you are a teacher considering reading this book to your class, please read it for yourself first! In conclusion, while Ms. Lowry shows the futility of humanism extremely well, the ending of this book is unsatisfying. There is not a happy ending to this dark story. Humanism tries to deny one has a sin nature, but deals with it by taking away a society's choices, which I believe is happening today. The real victory is in Jesus Christ, who by dying on the cross for our sins, being buried, and physically coming out of the grave gives believers the ability to overcome their sin nature daily without taking away choices, but with life-giving freedom! Yes, Christianity, and not Humanism, is the real answer to all depressing situations!
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Summary: Thank You for a great story!!
Review: A Thank You to the author of this fantastic story. A friend suggested this book a while back, I'm sorry I did not read it sooner. Teachers of Jr. High to High School take note
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Summary: Compelling!!
Review: a unique and amazing read! designed to keep you reading and thinking. lowery's definitive vision of this world causes the mind to twist and turn while telling an emotional story about a world that lives by rules and rules alone. a heartwarming cast of individual characters that you are bound to send youre heart out to!
CT - SMHS
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Summary: Can there be a universal Utopia?
Review: A universal Utopia, that's what the Giver is about. It makes for a bland society that keeps its citizens closely monitored and poorly informed. The Giver is all knowledgeable and suffers greatly with the knowledge of the past. He also is the only one who knows the joys of the past. The Receiver begins to learn and feels the pain. Will he too asked to be released? Will he be disillusioned when the truth is his? This organized society even decides what age to distribute bicycles. Most young people are irate at the pills which do not allow citizens of Utopia to have feelings of desire. As all things are monitored, what will be the one event that causes the Receiver to break? Are there any solutions that will allow this futuristic society to regain its past, accept pain, share joys, and learn to live again? This book integrates well with life skills and city-county government
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Summary: The Giver
Review: A wonderful book written by Lois Lowery. The Giver is about a little boy growing up in a very different environment than children are accostomed to today. The book very discreatly deals with problems facing our world today. The main character does however encounter one problem. He must make a decision based on his observations. Lois Lowery never tells the reader exactly what he decides, instead she leaves the book open-ended for the reader to make up their own mind.
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Summary: Excellent Book!
Review: A wonderful book! I recommend it to everyone. Any age!
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Summary: "The Giver": Intruiging and thought-provoking.
Review: A wonderful story about aspects of life most people take for granted. I can't bear to give away any of the storyline, because you have to read it for yourself, but this book definitely shows a new perspective on life, and appreciating the freedoms we enjoy. The tone is mysterious yet not confusing; a beckoning call to read on and discover more about the strange world in which Jonas, the main character, lives. Lowry brings the message across smoothly and clearly, yet never dangles it in your face. I can only say that you have to read this book for yourself to appreciate it: no review can put across the feeling "The Giver" manifests in its story.
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Summary: A story for the ages
Review: A world that on the surface is a perfect utopia, but once Jonas got to the depths of this world in which he lived he saw the truth. Throughout his life, he learned that to be different was bad, but when chosen to be the reciever and hold all the memories he learns the truth of his world and that it was as far from perfect as you can get. In the search for a perfect world they truly found an imperfect world. Jonas soon runs from this world to find the real world. The book ended with an uncertain fate. A sequel must be written to show his fate and the fate of his world.
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Summary: The Key to The Giver is Jungian Philosophy
Review: According to Lowry, The Giver, like her other books, is about "the vital need for humans to be aware of their interdependence, not only with each other, but with the world and its environment." As an adult of 35, my reading of The Giver disclosed a book steeped in Jungian psychology/philosophy. Although most of the over 530 reviews before mine were written by young adults or children, several were also written by adults (including teachers). I find it strange that nobody mentioned the Jungian connection until now. Carl Jung's concepts of synchronicity, the collective unconscious ("Elsewhere" and "Memories of the Whole World"), Archtypes of the Unconscious, our "twin" shadow figures (see Lily's ramblings on pg. 137) which teach us through our dreams, the Self ("this IS my life... the memories" pg. 103)... it's all there hidden in the text. The term "Elsewhere" is ambiguous and equivocal; it has different meanings. Those who are "released" (killed) or "lost" (natural death) go "Elsewhere." But "Elsewhere" also implies somewhere outside of the community where there are hills, snow, animals, and, it is implied (although made improbably - e.g., airplanes), a civilization like the readers of the book, but I don't believe Lowry intended that OUR civilization co-exist on the same planet as Jonas's, and the Elsewhere that he and Gabe found at the end of the novel was the "final destination" that "held their future and their past" (pg. 179) as well as that of every person: DEATH, which, paradoxically, does not necessarily mean non-existence but entrance into an afterlife. But, given Jung's (and Lowry's) philosophy, the afterlife or Elsewhere that Jonas and Gabe experience is the Collective Unconscious or Memory of the entire human race! Remember, "memories are forever" (pg. 104) and we ARE our memories (pgs. 103-104). The end of the last chapter is vague precisely because entrance into the Jungian Elsewhere via "received" memories (of Christmas, the sled, etc.) and imagination (that "special knowledge that was deep inside him," pg. 179, before he died) is vague as a philosophical idea. Aside from the Jungian philosophy, there are obviously many great things about this book that make it a classic for both young and old. Read the other reviews! Personally, I enjoyed the book and consider it essential reading in the dystopian genre. Thanks Tammy for recommending it to me! - Brad Clark
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