Review: The Giver by Lois Lowry

Title: The Giver
Author: Lois Lowry
Series: Book One in The Giver Trilogy
Published By: Delacorte Books For Young Readers (Jan. 24, 2006)
Genre: YA Dystopian
My Rating: 3 Stars

Goodreads Description:

 Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the Community. When Jonas turns twelve, he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now, it is time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.

My Review:

  You know, I have heard a lot about this book over the years but for whatever reason have never felt the urge to buy it and read it.

Maybe because in the past dystopian has never really been my thing but thanks to some recent great reads (mainly Lauren Oliver's Delirium series) that has changed.

So, when I saw this go on sale in ebook form for only $.99 I thought what the heck and picked it up.

I really wasn't sure what to expect for this read. I try not to listen to hype about books too much because more often than not, I find myself disappointed with books that have gotten fabulous reviews and well, that just sucks when that happens.

So I tried going into this one with an open mind and no expectations whatsoever, which was probably a good thing.

I am not going to say that I didn't enjoy this read because I did, I really did. It was imaginative and creative and down right poetic at times but yet...it just didn't grab me like it seemed to for others.

It was kind of sad and even a little creepy the extent that the elders and council would go to to keep the Sameness and as the story unfolded you got glimpses of why things were the way they were and the extent of what life was like there.

I felt for The Giver and for Jonas and the struggles and challenges that they had with their calling and with them wanting to make their lives better and to open the eyes of the others.

I couldn't imagine living in a world devoid of life and emotions and color.

How sad that would be.

Maybe it was the ending that did it for me, or rather didn't quite do it for me. There really wasn't a definite “this is how it is” type of thing. You are left wondering if things really changed and what happened with Jonas, The Giver and even baby Gabe. Sometimes I like that definite ending to be there. I don't always want to make up my own happy ever after. And while this did hint at what was to come I just wish it would have been a little more detailed, but then again, this is a trilogy so maybe there is more of that in the next two books. One can only hope at any rate.