By Lois Lowry
4 Stars
Lois Lowry’s The Giver is one of those books that really makes you think. The story is set in a community where everything looks perfect because there is no pain, fear, or difficult choices. People don’t get to make their own decisions, but they also don’t experience suffering. Jonas, the main character, is given a special role that lets him see memories of the past, both joyful and painful. Through this experience, he begins to realize that the safety and order of his world come at a huge cost: the loss of freedom, individuality, and true human emotion. What once looked like a peaceful life now feels more like control.
Reading this book made me reflect on how important choice and freedom really are. I could understand Jonas’s frustration, because living in a society where every day is predictable and controlled doesn’t feel like truly living. If you already know what tomorrow will look like, then life becomes empty. The book made me think about our world too—while we aren’t fully controlled like Jonas’s community, we sometimes give up small pieces of our freewill without realizing it. That idea stayed with me and made the story feel personal.
What I liked most about The Giver was how it takes something that at first seems normal and slowly reveals what is missing. The writing is simple but powerful, and it forces you to ask yourself big questions: Is a perfect life worth it if you can’t make your own choices? Do emotions, even painful ones, make life more meaningful? These themes made the book memorable for me.
Even though the novel is short, it has a lasting impact. I’d recommend The Giver to anyone who enjoys dystopian stories or wants a book that makes them think differently about freedom and individuality. For me, it’s an 8.5/10, and it definitely encouraged me to look into more of Lois Lowry’s work.
Reviewed by Sandrine
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