The Giver

by Lois Lowry
The Giver cover
Good Books rating 3.88
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
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Paperback • £7.99
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Technical
  • ID: 1264
  • Added: 2025-10-02
  • Updated: 2026-03-04
  • ISBN: 9780547424774
  • Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
  • Published: 2011-01-01
  • Formats: 27
  • Reviews: 4

In a seemingly utopian society, twelve-year-old Jonas is selected to be the Receiver of Memory, the sole keeper of his community's past. As he receives memories from the Giver, the previous Receiver, Jonas discovers the painful truths about his world, including the lack of love, color, and individuality. /n/nAs Jonas grapples with these revelations, he realizes the true cost of his society's sameness and the importance of memories, both good and bad. With newfound courage, Jonas sets out on a journey to change his world and restore the emotions and experiences that have been taken away.

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.

Introverted Reader · 2021-09-29
thought-provoking 4.00

The book is highly recommended for its thought-provoking exploration of the thin line between utopia and dystopia.

The reviewer highly recommends this book for its thought-provoking exploration of the thin line between utopia and dystopia. They appreciate how the concept of 'Sameness' is presented, making the reader reflect on the nature of society and the choices we make. The reviewer finds the book to be a compelling read that raises important questions about the world we live in and the choices we make as a society.

Quick quotes

    I highly recommend this for a thought-provoking look at how narrow the differences are between a utopia and a dystopia.

    Sameness sounds like a utopia, but it's actually a dystopia.

    It's a compelling read that raises important questions about society.

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.

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