My love for writing undoubtedly stems from my love for reading. I am attempting to read one new book (non-school related) each month. The Giver, by Lois Lowry, is the first book I chose for 2013! Hooray for keeping my New Years reading resolution so far!
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| Cover of The Giver |
The novel is set in a seemingly Utopian society in the future. All of the citizens have shallow problems and infinite security in their lives of “sameness,” governed meticulously by the elder board. However, as the novel progresses, we find that this perfect world has a very sinister side. 12-year-old protagonist Jonas embarks on a journey that will forever change his perception of the word. The boy is chosen to receive special training from The Giver, the only community member with memories of how life used to be. For the first time he experiences and understands passionate emotions like love, anger, fear, and courage.
This book can be enjoyed by readers of any age. Jonas’s innocent perception captures the honesty an straightforwardness of a child. As a result, Lowry never drags on the story with lengthy descriptions or explanations. Rather, the reader makes the interpretations on their own. Normally, novels that are such an easy read lack provocative substance — The Giver is not one of them. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoyed Brave New World or 1984. I plan to read the last three novels in the series soon.
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“The theme of balancing the values of freedom and security is beautifully presented.”
-The Horn Book Magazine
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