The Giver. Book Review.

The Giver Book Review

The Giver by Lois Lowry won a Newberry Medal, which is only misleading in that this book is suited equally for children and adults alike, maybe even moreso for adults, who have forgotten the wonders and discovery specific to childhood.

The book follows a teenager, Jonas, in a dystopian society set sometime in the future, where, long ago, everyone had sacrificed many of their freedoms in exchange for security.  Now, Jonas has been selected for a very special job that allows him, and uniquely him alone, to see everything in the world for what it truly was.

There is a suite of books that have seen a resurgence in the last few years, including 1984, A Handmaid’s Tale and, of course, The Giver. 

What truths did these authors observe 20, 30, 80 years ago that are still relevant today? What did these authors see in society than that we still haven’t solved in 2017? There is an obvious relevance to them in today’s discussions and current events, and this quick read will arm the reader with a valuable perspective to apply to today’s world.

The book is a simple read but has a complex message and an ending that is easily over-simplified in the film. Even if this was a must-read according to your 9th grade English teacher, this reviewer believes that it’s worth another look through an adult lens.

Put it on your shelf to keep coming back to. It ages well.