Imagine a world where everything is the same; everyone has the same hair color, the weather is always in between cold and warm, meals are delivered daily to each dwelling, and spouses are assigned to each other and children are assigned to parents. There is no color, no pain, and everyone apologizes for being late or rude.

The Giver, by Lois Lowry

At twelve years old, I met Jonas, an Eleven living in a community of Sameness. I met him again, now, at twenty-onetwenty-two*. Jonas is excited for the Ceremony, the day when he becomes a Twelve and is assigned a role in the community. His role, however, is not like the Caregiver his friend Fiona becomes, or the Assistant Director of Recreation that his friend Asher becomes. Jonas is chosen to become The Receiver, and because of his new role, his life will change forever.

Jonas begins receiving memories from The Giver: memories of war, snow, pain, boating, color, warmth, and more. These memories begin to haunt Jonas and prompt him to try to change things.

As a twelve-year-old, I was horribly disappointed and depressed by the ending. Now, as an adult revisiting a book I both loved and hated during my childhood, I have more perspective… and yet I’m still disappointed. Even though The Giver is technically a children’s book, there are some very adult themes and questions it raises during and after reading. Spoilers ahead! Continue reading →