The Giver by Lois Lowry

Click on the image to read the book

Rating: 5/5

Summary:

This story is about a 12-year-old boy named Jonas. Civilization has systematically destroyed suffering and conflict by turning to "sameness" a strategy that has also outlawed depth of character from their existence. Jonas is appointed to inherit the role of Receiver of Memory, the one who preserves all past memories and experiences prior to "sameness", as there will be occasions when one may rely on the knowledge of history to support the decision-making of the society. Jonas deals with the interpretations behind all the strange emotions and concepts he is introduced to: If they are fundamentally positive, negative, or somewhere in between, and whether we as a society are capable of having one without both.

Strengths:

I like how the novel questions whether the lack of diversity and change that modern society seems so keen on oppressing us into is going to benefit us in the long run. It questions whether a false sense of peace and tranquility is worth our individuality and ability to think for ourselves.

Weaknesses:

To be fair, I didn't enjoy the ending as we never see what happens to the society that Jonas leaves to suffer with the realisation that the "Sameness" they hold so close may not be the best for them.

My Opinion:

I highly recommend this book to anyone that likes dystopian novels. The writing is amazingly descriptive, it's the type of book you can read in one day and not realise it.