Book review by Isha Patel of The Giver by Lois Lowry

Book review of The Giver by Lois Lowry

Imagine living in an Utopian world where everyone and everything is the same! Honesty when I first heard of it, I taught that the world would be a much better place if everything was the same. But after I read it, I had to rethink that.

I read this book way back in 8th grade but still this book has remained my all time favorite book. It is a story about a teenage boy named Jonas who is selected as the Receiver of Memory for this Utopian world controlled by The Elders which is in black and white in order to keep structure, order and "Sameness." Jonas can use his power to get away from this Utopian world and be free "Elsewhere" and finally be able to see colors and feel all emotions which will make the people living in the Utopian world be able to have their memories back before "Sameness" happened.

I think the Utopian world is a metaphor for censoring and restriction.  It limits the choices of an individual until they have none left by removing joy from his or her life. This book could be read in three to four hours as it captures the reader attention very well.

The ending is especially important as it leaves the reader wondering if Jonas succeeds or fails in getting rid of the Utopian place and making it dystopian.

This novel deals with the concept of Utopian but what makes it dystopian is the fact that this novel proves that having a world where everything is the same and everyone acts the same does not mean perfect. Being imperfect and unique is actually better as it gives people change and teaches people to accept others. Equality does not necessary mean happiness or that all is well. This is the reason this book has being by favorite for a long time.