My 7th grade daughter had to read The Giver for her Language Arts class. Now back when I was in the 7th grade we had English class, not Language Arts, but I actually prefer the latter. Or maybe English Arts. But that’s irrelevant to what I was going tosay! Sorry… I’m soooo easily distracted…
The Giver is set in a futuristic utopia in which citizens trade autonomy for peace.The setting unfolds as the good guy, a coming-of-age boy named Jonas, faces the assignment of his lifelong career at the ripe old age of twelve! Written in a narrative style from his point of view, he explores the limitations and advantages of his societal structure, anticipating along with his peers, the coming life changes. He worries about his future. His friendships. His family.
It’s not far into the book that you can figure out that when misfits of society are “released” that they are in fact put down like a rabid or sick dog, basically, as opposed to “lost” which comes from some accidental death or illness. That’s no surprise.
Nor is it a surprise that Jonas is chosen for a pivotal influential role in this cute little world, nor the fact that his struggling with this role is going to lead to some pretty dramatic changes for everyone!
But the ending loses it. It’s weak, poorly developed, and lacks any sort of dynamic twist. (Spoiler…)
