The Giver 

 by Lois Lowry

Book Review:

The Giver is a book written by Lois Lowry- the same author who produced the magnificent story of a young girl living during the Holocaust in Number the Stars- illustrates beautifully the life of a young man living in a town unlike any other. Lowry, who was 58 at the time of writing The Giver, clearly has determined that her writing should stand out in a genre of Young Adult books that seldom invokes the reader to think beyond mere childish fantasy. The main character in the book, twelve year old Jonas, lives a life in a perfect community, secluded from the rest of the world. Jonas lives a normal life in the all too perfect community, until appointed to work in a special position with The Giver, the one who holds the only memories of the outside world.

The Giver shadows1984 with the idea of a Utopian society, but differs widely with its unique plot and setting. The story is simple enough to follow, but also complex enough to bring the storyline to different levels of understanding. One can read this book and gain a certain insight that someone else might completely look over. Although the storyline is enough to keep the reader interested, the writing itself can seem a bit plastic. The first half of the book drags on, while the second half explodes with meaning and direction. While it is true that the language is basic and precise, it paints a picture representing the simple mindedness of the community, precisely what Lowry intended. 

Overall, The Giver holds its own against other books, and even squeezes a spot into the classics of Young Adult literature.