The Giver by Lois Lowry is a heart wrenching dystopian-themed novel published in 1993 by the Houghton Mifflin Co. Similar to novels such as Fahrenheit 451, this book is set in a society that, from the outside, seems to be a utopia. Citizens believe their life is perfect, until one young boy is introduced to the true horrors that happen behind the scenes that keep the civilization running. He begins to have access to “memories” that help him learn of what life used to be like before many changes were implemented. There were colors, laughter, sailboats, vast oceans, and pure happiness. But, there was also disease, crime, and horrible wars that raged on, killing innocent soldiers. The young boy tackles the issue of whether the good outweighs the bad in this strange, unfamiliar world. Though the new world, he marveled, is not much better. In order to maintain perfectness, babies that do not meet the correct requirements are murdered, along with any person who breaks a rule of society. The boy, along with the help of his mentor and a set of memories, escapes this society to try and find a world filled with pure memories. While this book does not have the ending I would like, it is a heartwarming and beautiful read. I agree with the author's opinions on how memories define us, and as the main character Jonah learns of them, he begins to morph into a different person. Lowry’s book also raises issues of how the choices we make have consequences, but the choices must be made all the same. Just like Ray Bradbury, author of Fahrenheit 451, Lowry agrees that limitations by the government create a dystopian society and limit the abilities of its inhabitants. This novel has raised my awareness of the choices I have made in the past and how they affect me today. While I believe that I have not caused any life-changing damage to anyone, I do want to keep it that way so I will continue to be careful of my actions. All in all, this was an enjoyable read that left me turning page after page, wanting to read more. If there is one takeaway from this book, it is that life is not going to be perfect, but one should try to find the beauty in the little things to keep life on track.
Gretchen B.
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