The Giver

Lois Lowry (author)

Houghton Mifflin, USA:1993; 180pp

ISBN: 0006748287

Genres: science fiction

Issues: community,choices, differences, ethics, gifted, responsibility, social condition, values

Winner of the Newbery Medal.

Jonas lives in a futuristic community where family units consist of parents and two children - one male, one female. Theirs is a highly organised world in which everybody has a role to play, every person has a job, and every individual is in fact part of a very efficient social structure.

Children are educated carefully, expected to achieve particular goals at certain ages. Firm rules govern courtesy and relationships so that nobody is made to feel different or isolated. Language use is very precise in order to avoid misunderstandings or exaggerations. Sound wonderful?

Jonas never thinks to question the calm, orderly organisation of every hour of his day and his future - until he turns twelve and is selected to be the new Receiver of Memories. His training teaches him the limitations of his world and he begins to realise that the long-ago acceptance of Sameness has in fact taken all the life, energy and love out of his community. But is it possible to change it when even the memories of the past have been erased, given into the keeping of one person? Is it possible to bring back colour, joy, hope and yes, even grief and pain? Is Jonas prepared to make the sacrifice necessary to bring this about?

Often studied in the junior years of high school, this thought provoking novel is, at times, rather disturbing. The early chapters are carefully constructed so that the reader is not aware of the extent of the differences between Jonas' world and their own. It is only as more is revealed that the reader realises just how controlled and artificial Jonas' community is. This clever positioning of the reader means that they not only feel Jonas' early contentment and comfort in his safe, orderly life, but also the extent of his shock when he is shown the alternative. Very much a novel about comfort zones, personal and social responsibility, choices and individuality, this is a story that will appeal to more sophisticated readers and could provoke some interesting discussions.