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Summary: The ending is the most thrilling and ambiguous part.
Review: I believe the ending was ambiguous and the fact that I could choose my own ending for myself is a one in a life time chance. Jonas was trying to find the "Elsewhere" which is believed to have music, color, lights, joys and pain, with a young boy the whole time. The memories that Jonas recieved made me think that I was in the memory as well as him. I recommend this book to every single person that I know. The Giver is wonderous book like no other that I have read.
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Summary: It was a great book!
Review: I believe the Giver was trying to show that a perfect community is not perfect. They are hidden from so much that they don't know the truth. Jonas is just the person to find the truth. It was a great book!
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Summary: Wow! did I enjoy this & I'm an adult!!!
Review: i borrowed the Giver from the Library for my almost 12 yr. old son.His taste runs very close to mine: sci-fi, horror, mystery. While I waited for him to finish his current book, I picked up The Giver & never put it down. This is such a great story, essentially about an "awakening of the truth" that a 12 year old boy is faced with. He lives in a controlled community, is happy, it seems, until he discovers the truth about the real world while under the tutelage of an old man he will eventually replace as the "keeper of memories". I strongly suggest you read THIS PERFECT DAY, by Ira Levin (Rosemary's Baby). It's an adult book, reminiscent of this story. I read it every 5 years or so...It's also fantastic. The Giver rocks!
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Summary: Not just YA: Will make you see the world differently
Review: I bought this book after hearing the author interviewed on NPR. I think I had read some of her books as a girl. And every now and then I will read a YA novel.I read it in one afternoon-- I'd have gotten through it sooner, but had to look up and around the room and cry from time to time. I'll never see the color red in the same way again-- now it's something precious, a gift. This book is far more than a dystopia for kids, or a simple allegory. Some of the ideas in the book-- the notion of group memory, the questioning of the "greater good"-- are very sophisticated and presented with great subtlety and art. But the power of the book lies in its story. The book takes us on a journey through a world that seems idyllic at first, and it is only gradually, and terribly, that we, with the main character, discover the sadness, the real horror, at the heart of the society. And perhaps the true horror is that the awfulness is not even understood by the people. There is no malice in this world. There is just absence-- absence of memory, absence of attachment, absence of all the complicated feelings that can lead us to love and grace. As he accepts the responsibility to become the receptacle of society's memories, the main character learns how his society really works-- how it eschews, even destroys, those who don't contribute, how it abhors individuality, how it ultimately rejects the idea of love. And he begins to see in color. This is all discovered through the eyes of a child, and told very simply. The final escape is much debated-- did he die, or find a better place? I firmly believe that he found a better place, but in the end it doesn't matter. What does matter is that once again a human being has discovered what it means to be human. This book truly deserves its awards and should be read not just by teachers and students, but by anybody who enjoys a good story. Thornton Wilder has the Narrator say in his wonderful play OUR TOWN, to Emily's question, "does anybody realize life while they're living it, every, every minute?" "Poets and artists, they do some." After reading THE GIVER, you'll be inspired to remember to do that too. Life is precious, and its memories, even its painful ones, are an incredible gift.
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Summary: Thought-provoking
Review: I bought this book to give as a gift, and ended up reading it myself. A scary and thought-provoking book, chillingly and beautifully written, right up to the ambiguous ending. I think this is a very worthwhile read. If you have not yet read this book I suggest you don't read many of the amazon reviews. Many of the reviews give away every single major plot point. I find this very disappointing and am glad I did not read many reviews before I read the book, as much of the power and gut-wrenching effect come from discovering the answers yourself as the story unfolds. Read the book. If you want to read other reader reviews wait until you've read the book first. It's worth it.
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Summary: The Giver
Review: I can describe this book as an interesting book because the culture was so different from ours. The rules were stricter and the sameness was unnecessary. But the receiver of memories had feelings and was able to remember all the memories that were given to him. This book was a very exciting book.
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Summary: My Favorite Book!
Review: I can Honestly say that this is the best book that I have ever read, other that the Diary of Anne Frank ( which i highly recommend ) There is a deep meaning to this book, maybe even a religious meaning of wich I adored. I deffinitley loved this book.
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Summary: Favorite Book!
Review: I can't believe that woman/man thought that this book was sick! PLEASE! I mean, this could actually happen to us. That person said that this encourages violence and other bad things-well I think this book teaches children that violence and hurting others are bad. I mean, this book may have been graphic, but I believe that children (preferrably over 10) should read this book. It really teaches you to value the life you have. Okay, that was my outburst, but here is my summary of the book (which I myself have read 6 times)! The main character is Jonas. He lives in a world of routine and order-and no feelings. No one is allowed to choose there spouse or even have there own child! And the community picks there job (a.k.a. "Assignment") Jonas is chosen as the reciever of memories. Now you see, the people can't feel anytning, good or bad, and they all have one generation memories. Which means thay only remember stuff that has happened since they were born. Like how we learn about war and stuff, they don't. They have no colors, music, and climate. Anyways, the reciever holds all of the memories from the past-good and bad. ALthought the good ones are great (such as LOVE, CHRISTMAS, and SNOW) the bad memories (such as WAR, RELEASE, and PAIN) really make the job hard. And no one knows anything about feelings because they don't allow them to feel them. Anyways, Jonas and the Giver decided on a plan to fix this. So......read the book to find out the rest, and I promise you that you won't be disappointed. I know that despite what others said, this book is a positive one and truly makes you think about right and wrong.
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Summary: Wow! I couldn't put it down.
Review: I can't say anything that hasn't already been said in the other 500 or so reviews, but you really should read this book. But the ending is a bit confusing to some people so READ SLOWLY and THINK about it. (If that's not too hard for you.) I finished this book in the evening when the electricity was out in the house, so even with the very dim light outside I had to stay out there, leaning against the balcony railing, and finish it. My mom kept telling me to come inside, you'll ruin your eyes, but I could NOT put it down. I'd just like to comment on another review, which said this book was like a cross between "Pleasantville" and "The Truman Show"....what?? Okay, it's a bit similar in ways, but it didn't really remind me of those movies. What I'm trying to say is: those movies are not really very similar to the book but if you like that sort of thing (I do), read The Giver anyway. Also highly recommended: Number the Stars (for ages 11-14) and The Golden Compass (for ages 13-113).
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Summary: If there were more stars, this book would get them!
Review: I can't say enough about how good this book is. It's so amazing, it's hard to believe. If you don't understand it, read it again. I've read this book 3 times, and I'll probably read it a million more! Advice: READ IT!
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