The Giver

Rating:
Summary: A Real Thought Provoker
Review: Lowry's book is fascinating to say the least. She leaves you to make many conclusions on your own about what is happening. The ability to read into the story your own world view is almost frightneing when you consider that this is a childs book. However at the same time from a sociological and political stand point it raises some very serious questions for the adult reader to struggle through. The theme is one of what would life be like in a "perfect" society where everyone was safe and content but never made decsions for themselves, if the government (elders) were trusted to make the right decision for everyone. It touches on such tough issues as euthanasia, society role or class, and socialism. As you can imagine these are some very deep subjects for a children's book. I would reccomend that any parent read this book before or at least with their child so that they can dicuss these important topics with them. Let us pray that our society never becomes this "safe." Overall a very quick read and worth a couple hours of your time.

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Summary: A young boy's discovery of his utopia is bittersweet.
Review: Lowry's books have been sending me to new worlds since I was very young and first picked up her Anastasia series. Now, as a first year English teacher, her books are always on the top of my list as recommendations for my students. The Giver is no different. Lowry's simple style of writing is easy to read, yet it pulls you in completely. The Giver focuses on Jonas, a twelve year old boy who makes a tough decision concerning his future in "the community." Reminding the reader of certain elements of Anthem (Rand) and The Handmaid's Tale (Atwood), Lowry spins a tale of forgiveness and self-discovery. It is definitely recommended not just for my teen readers, but for anyone who has ever wondered what a utopian society is like

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Summary: ... Book Review of the novel The Giver:
Review: Lowry's Novel, The Giver describes a world of sameness and the inability to make choices. Nobody except for one person is capable of feeling pain. Everything in their world is in black and white. Jonas, the protagonist of the novel, starts realizing that sameness is boring and that people should have feelings and be able to make choices. Read the novel and find out what happens. I enjoyed the book, yet finding it very emotional in some aspects. I am glad that we don't live in a world of sameness.

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Summary: Compelling, Powerful, a Must Read
Review: Lowry's The Giver, is quite possibly one of the best pices of literature I have ever read. It stands out from any other book. Never before has a book captivated readers with a strange world that is similar, but yet different from our own. Some of the things characters go through are mind blowing. Jonas, the main character, suffers these things with the rest of the community, however, Jonas begins to learn about things such as color and temperature that other members in the community do not know about. He goes through so much pain and discomfort and learns about death and killing and war. When you read these vividly described scenes, your jaw will be unhinged and you will know that you are completely obsessed with this book. It might be 2:00 in the morning but once your into this book you'll be stuck in Lowery's world. You won't want out, you won't answer the phone or talk to family or friends until you finish The Giver. This book is that good.

Rating:
Summary: This book makes you feel what you are reading.
Review: Making you feel what you are reading is the sign of a great book (or movie). I would love to give it 5 stars, but the ending is too weak. Don't let that stop you from getting it...it's a great book.

Rating:
Summary: The Giver
Review: Many people believe their community is perfect... but is it? Is it perfect or is it something else. Jonas, a young twelve year old boy, stars to see things beyond his plain and bland community. It seems he alone sees this. Is it his pale eyes or is he just hallucinating. Find out and read this exciting book. I love this book due to its great heartstopping moments.

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Summary: The answer to the question "what if everyone was the same?"
Review: Many people wish for total equality among people. I think that this book captures that feeling in a frightening way. After reading this book, you can imagine the way life would be if our futures were predetermined all in the name of equality. It made me grateful for all the differences that we do have, and for the ability to make our own choices and mistakes. A powerful book for any age group.

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Summary: I think I missed something
Review: Maybe it's just me. Because some people loved this book. I missed the Christ allegory, apparently, and I guess I was wrong about the point of the story. I wanted to know more about how the communities worked; I was properly spooked by the assignment of jobs to twelve-year-olds with the line, "Thank you for your childhood," but I wanted to know what happened later on. The story seemed to end without ending, and the big secret revelation was obvious to me from the start. Unpleasant, to be sure, but hardly surprising.

Rating:
Summary: Ending ruins the book, leaves me angry
Review: Maybe the best book I've ever read in my life...until it reaches the ending. The most dissapointing feeling i ever had in my life as a reader was getting to the point of the book where i was in love with it and realizing that there were 15-20 pages left in which what i felt was the beginning of the book would have to be ended.
It was criminal. The most ungodly ending i have ever read ruined a piece of literal art. It almost seemed as if Lowry just got to a point in the book where she just got bored with the book and looked to end it. It was like ending Romeo and Juliet with the families reconciling and the two living happily ever after. Killed the book altogether and I'm furious that i was robbed of a possible legendary novel and a reading experience by an ending that just seemed effortless, giving up on an amazing concept. Sad almost.

Rating:
Summary: The Giver by Lois Lowry: Not Just a Childs Book
Review: Most people think that young adult books can not be as good as adult books. I used to agree, but now I strongly disagree. The Giver is my favorite book ever. It is wonderful reading for any age, boys or girls, men or women. In this novel, Lois Lowry really reminds us not to take the little things for granted; the weather, colors, hills. Who knows how long they'll be around? I highly reccomend this book to anyone who loves to read.