The Giver

by Lois Lowry
The Giver cover
Good Books rating 4.06
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
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Paperback • £7.99
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Technical
  • ID: 1264
  • Added: 2025-10-02
  • Updated: 2025-11-28
  • ISBN: 9780547424774
  • Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
  • Published: 2011-01-01
  • Formats: 27
  • Reviews: 4

The Giver is a thought-provoking novel that explores themes of individuality, memory, and the cost of a seemingly utopian society. The story follows Jonas, a young boy who is selected to be the Receiver of Memory, a role that involves holding all the past memories of the community. As Jonas receives these memories, he begins to question the nature of his world and the sacrifices made to maintain it. /n/n Lois Lowry's novel is a powerful exploration of the importance of memory and the human experience. It delves into the ethical dilemmas of a society that values order and conformity above all else. The Giver is a compelling read that invites readers to reflect on the nature of freedom and the true meaning of happiness.

Reviews
This Reader's Thoughts · 2024-09-30
immersive 4.50

The world-building is vivid and immersive, immediately drawing the reader into the story.

The reviewer was captivated by the vivid depiction of the ordered world in 'The Giver', which they found immediately immersive. The story's ability to sweep readers up from the very beginning is highlighted as a key strength. They appreciated the detailed world-building that makes the narrative feel rich and compelling.

Quick quotes

    Their world is the definition of order, and Lois Lowry paints it vividly.

    The reader is swept up in the story immediately.

    The detailed world-building makes the narrative feel rich and compelling.

Rainy Day Blog · 2023-04-28
influential 4.00

This Newbery Medal winner is considered one of the most influential novels of our time.

The reviewer acknowledges 'The Giver' as a significant and influential novel, noting its status as a Newbery Medal winner. They appreciate the book's thought-provoking themes and its enduring impact on readers. The story is seen as a timeless piece that continues to resonate with audiences, making it a must-read.

Quick quotes

    The Giver, the 1994 Newbery Medal winner, has become one of the most influential novels of our time.

    The book's thought-provoking themes and enduring impact on readers.

    A timeless piece that continues to resonate with audiences.

Joe's Notes Blog · 2021-09-07
mixed 3.00

The book is found to be easy to read and compelling for most of the story, but the ending is considered lackluster. Despite this, the reviewer acknowledges the book's overall strength.

The reviewer found 'The Giver' to be an easy and compelling read for the majority of the story, praising its engaging narrative and themes. However, they were disappointed by the ending, which they felt was lackluster and did not live up to the rest of the book. Despite this, they acknowledge the book's overall strength and its ability to captivate readers. They suggest that the book's themes and narrative make it a worthwhile read, even with its flaws.

Quick quotes

    The book was easy to read and not very long.

    I found it compelling for the majority of the story

    I thought that the ending was lackluster.

Reddit · 2021-01-01
brilliant 4.75

The book is described as thought-provoking and a gem, with the reviewer highlighting the genius of Lois Lowry. It is praised for its depth and the way it challenges the reader's perceptions.

The reviewer, reading the book as an adult, finds it incredibly thought-provoking and a gem. They highlight the genius of Lois Lowry and the book's ability to challenge the reader's perceptions. The reviewer appreciates the depth of the story and its ability to provoke thought and discussion, making it a standout in children's literature. The story's ability to captivate readers quickly is emphasized, making it a compelling read from start to finish.

Quick quotes

    I just read this book for the first time as an adult and it is so thought provoking.

    It's an absolute gem.

    The genius of Lois Lowry astounds me.

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