The Giver by Lois Lowry || Book Review

Hey Guys, it’s Max here! I will be doing a review on a book called The Giver by Lois Lowry today. The Giver is a Young Adult, Science Fiction following Jonas as he was assigned to be the Receiver of Memory. So, without further ado, let’s get into the review!

*Note: All thoughts and opinions are on my own and this is a spoiler free review!*

“For the first time, he heard something that he knew to be music. He heard people singing. Behind him, across vast distances of space and time, from the place he had left, he thought he heard music too. But perhaps, it was only an echo.”- The Giver, Lois Lowry.

Synopsis:

Life in the community where Jonas lives is idyllic. Designated birthmothers produce newchildren, who are assigned to appropriate family units: one male, one female, to each. Citizens are assigned their partners and their jobs. No one thinks to ask questions. Everyone obeys. The community is a world without conflict, inequality, divorce, unemployment injustice…or choice.

Everyone is the same.

Except Jonas.

At the Ceremony of Twelve, the community’s twelve-year-olds eagerly accept their predetermined Life Assignments. But Jonas is chosen for something special. He begins instruction in his life’s work with a mysterious old man known only as The Giver. Gradually Jonas learns that power lies in feelings. But when his own power is put to the test—when he must try to save someone he loves—he may not be ready. Is it too soon? Or too late?

My thoughts: Introduction

Let us start off by comparing the book to the movie. I think the movie is much more entertaining and exciting than the book. (Oh gosh, I just committed a book sin. How dare me?) But seriously, the movie has much more elements than the book.

The plot of the book was very well-thought out but it lacked luster. There were plot holes here and there and it frustrated me throughout the book.

The world building for this book was great. I really liked how Lois described the things around our protagonist, Jonas. I also liked the idea of the world in black and white, it was fabulous.

The pacing for this book was fast, it took me a day to finish because it is 225 pages long. Although the story did drag a little but the pacing is still, overall, enjoyable.

If you are looking for a quick and science fiction read, I highly recommend you to check out this book.

Writing:

Firstly, I enjoyed Lois’ writing style! It was crisp, epigrammatic and I wouldn’t say articulate because of the plot holes but still, I loved her writing style. Her writing style was different from the other books I have read and I will, of course, read more of her other work.

Secondly, I really enjoyed the way she described things, it was fascinating and once again, it did also spark my interest on reading more of the books she published.

Thirdly, I loved how Lois’ wrote about the relationship between The Giver and Jonas, Jonas and the memories, Jonas and the community and Jonas and his family members. It was truly a work of a phenomenal art.

Finally, I loved how Lois’ wrote about her imagination of  The Giver transferring the memories of the past to Jonas. It was a really unique way of transferring memories to another which is cool.

Characters:

Jonas: I loved him. He was decent, kind, intelligent and brave. I really loved his character development in this book and he was the one character who kept me reading this book until I flipped to the last page.

The Giver: He is, no doubt, in my favourite characters list. I have to say, The Giver was a great character and even though we did not get much of his past in this book, I felt like I knew him.

Asher: Well, unlike the movie which contains a lot of scenes of Asher, Fiona and Jonas, the book does not contain a lot of scenes regarding to him. I loved Asher’s character in the movie and I was actually looking forward on reading more of him in the book but it was a let down.

Fiona: Again, Fiona did not really show up much in the book which disappointed me because I shipped Fiona & Jonas so much. 

Baby Gabe: I loved Gabe. He was a cute and playful child. I am glad that Jonas’ Father did not [Spoiler] and I am also glad that Jonas took baby Gabe with him.

Overall:

I am giving this book a 60% rating. I did like it and I am looking forward on reading more of Lois’ other work!

“They were satisfied with their lives which had none of the vibrance his own was taking on. And he was angry at himself, that he could not change that for them.”- The Giver, Lois Lowry.

---

This is the end of my spoiler-free review for The Giver! I hope you all enjoyed it and follow me with your email/wordpress account to get notifications when I post a new article! Bye!