The Giver

This was a reread for me, but it made me remember how much I enjoy this book. It has been a long time since I read this book for the first time, but as I was scanning the shelves for something to read, there was something about this title that caught my eye. As I was reading, I was flooded with memories (no pun intended) of what it was like reading this when it was recommended to me by my elementary school librarian. Reading it now, I had a different appreciation for the story being told, but I remembered how impactful the concept of this story was to me even as a younger reader.

Lois Lowry crafted a book that gives readers a glimpse into the future--albeit a dystopian future, but at first glance it doesn’t seem all that bad. The protagonist of the story, Jonas, is getting ready to finally receive his job assignment. The Community, where Jonas lives with his family unit, is a tightly structured, perfectly manicured, well run machine that molds people into upstanding citizens. Through Jonas’ narrative, he gives insight into the different intricacies of what it means to be born, raised, and live as part of The Community. As the ceremony commences, Jonas is skipped, an oversight that never happens in The Community. It is then revealed to Jonas that he has been chosen to become the next Receiver of Memory, a job that is considered one of the highest honors.

As Jonas begins his training with the current Receiver of Memory, he begins to understand why this job is so important. The Community decided long ago that the burden of memories was too much; people shouldn’t have to experience pain, loss, grief, hunger, or any other worldly burden, but making this choice also kept people from feeling joy, happiness, silliness, and other positive emotional responses as well. The Community knew that to completely disregard these memories would be foolish, so instead they selected a single individual who would hold all of the memories (the good and the bad) for generations.

As Jonas truly begins to understand the burden that comes with holding generations and generations of memories, he begins to see that the structured rigidity of The Community isn’t protecting its citizens, it’s stifling them.

Lois Lowry beautifully writes a story that has readers bouncing back and forth between the idea of a Utopia versus a Dystopia and the ultimate realization that they are one in the same. At first glance, what seems like a system designed to run smoothly and efficiently, can’t be anything bad, but as the realization of what it truly means to control all aspects of life sink in, the reader begins to shift their initial views into more cynical thoughts.

What I like most about this book is the way that the layers of realization seem to unfold as you get deeper and deeper into the story. As you begin to realize exactly what it means to not have memory--or to suddenly have memory of something that you can’t even express--you begin to think about your own life experiences, and your own memories, and you gain a deeper appreciation for the experiences that you have had. I think this book is a message about appreciating all that life has to offer--the good and the bad--and using that to grow and develop.

If you are looking for a thought provoking book that has laughs, tears, and plenty of heart, then I would highly recommend that you pick up a copy of Lois Lowry’s “The Giver.” This book can be a quick, light read, but it can also become a much deeper read if you are willing to let your mind truly grasp at the message being presented on the page.

5 out of 5 stars.