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The Giver Audiobook
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(4.00) - 527,094 listener ratings
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Plot Summary
Jonas has grown up in what appears to be a utopian world. His society knows nothing of unemployment, poverty, war, inequality or personal conflicts of any kind. This is achieved in part by strict control of the population and forbidding any behavior which falls outside the society's ideals.
Every year his society holds an annual ceremony in which the Elders assign each 12 year old a profession for life. When Jonas comes of age and takes part in this tradition he has no idea of the important direction his life is about to take. While his friends receive more routine and prosaic assignments, Jonas has a different destiny. Assigned to work with a mysterious man only known as the Giver, he discovers that he is to assume the role and responsibilities of the Receiver of Memory, the keeper of all ancient memories. As he works with his new mentor he slowly discovers the true nature of his world, secrets that shock him and profoundly change his life forever.
Controversial when first published and still inspiring debate to this day, The Giver is widely regarded as an insightful and thought-provoking work of dystopian fiction. The novel has received numerous literary awards including the prestigious 1994 Newbery Medal.
"The main character Jonas lives in a very enclosed society that has some harsh rules. Jonas starts questioning some of the thing that go on in the community, like what happens to someone when they a released. Compared to my neighborhood this community is extremely strict and whats every to be in order and have no diversity. In my neighborhood I can do what ever I want I can sleep in make my own food even though I'm a kid. I wont give away the ending, but it might gives you some hints on what happens. I feel that the beginning of the end was really negative because I couldn't weather he would make it or not, but once he saw it and the book ended I felt a surge of positive feelings travel through me wanted to think maybe something good happened. This novel teaches me that when you keep people all the same and have no diversity among them a rebel is bound to break the rules or just question weather this is right like jonas did.Same thing with government if you keep people confined and not give them and freedom they're going to rebel."
— Steven (5 out of 5 stars)
Publisher Summary
Soon to be a major motion picture, Lois Lowry's 1994 Newbery Medal–winning tale has become one of the most influential novels of our time. The haunting story centers on Jonas who lives in a seemingly ideal, if colorless, world of conformity and contentment. Not until he is given his life assignment as the Receiver of Memory does he begin to understand the dark, complex secrets behind his fragile community. This movie tie-in edition features cover art from the movie and exclusive Q&A with members of the cast, including Taylor Swift, Brenton Thwaites and Cameron Monaghan.
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Quotes
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“A powerful and provocative novel.”
— New York Times -
“Lowry is once again in top form…unwinding a tale fit for the most adventurous readers.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Intriguing…This tightly plotted story and its believable characters will stay with readers for a long time.”
— School Library Journal -
“Wrought with admirable skill—the emptiness and menace underlying this Utopia emerge step by inexorable step: a richly provocative novel.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Awards
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Winner of the 1994 Newbery Medal
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Winner of the 1994 Regina Medal
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A 1994 ALA Notable Book for Children
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A Booklist Editors’ Choice
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A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, 1994
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A 1993 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Honor Book
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Winner of the 1996 Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award
The Giver Listener Reviews
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Paige Buonocore, 1/28/2023
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Josie Feikls, 12/29/2022
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DLM, 10/2/2021
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" I first encountered "The Giver" as a movie and instantly loved it. I saw it many times on DVD before I borrowed the book from the library. There are some things that are different, including the ending. But after I had borrowed it so much from the local library almost no one else could check it out, I finally decided to buy it. Any book that can last past 5 full reads is a definite winner, and that is in this category for me! "
— S. Carpenter, 12/20/2016 -
" Never give up on what you feel to be right. Jonas shows intelligence well beyond eleven years old and by testing and examining what he always known to what he has just learned, he discovers a whole new sense of self and morality. Beautiful story. First read it in elementary school and has stayed with me since. "
— Michelle, 2/18/2014 -
" Having crazy nostalgia! I had no idea I read this book as a child.... It's all coming back to me now! Me thinks I doth read too many books! Finished it... The end just dropped off. Not a fan. "
— August, 2/8/2014 -
" A truly awesome story for young readers! "
— Keri, 2/1/2014 -
" One of the few books I have read in one sitting! So much more than "just" an utopian novel, Lowry leaves the readers wondering... "
— Carrieann, 2/1/2014 -
" The world of Lowry is a unforgettable one. And so are her Characters. Amazing series :D "
— Marjana, 1/31/2014 -
" I read this book in seventh grade. I really didn't like the book.To me,it make any sense. "
— Katherine, 1/30/2014 -
" 3.5 really ... I enjoyed this book, really wanted a more definitive ending- but I realize that's my own personality flaw. "
— Tanya, 1/20/2014 -
" The reason it only has 2 stars is because the only decent partof the book was the end and the characters didn't develop at all. Also, the decent part was more like the beginnig/middle of the end, the cliffhanger scored points for the book too. "
— Brynn, 1/10/2014 -
" An amazing book. The description of a safe world with perfect weather is haunting. The young man is a hero. "
— Anne, 1/9/2014 -
" One of the best books evah "
— Sarah, 12/7/2013 -
" I read this book a few years ago for a school literature circle. I don't exactly remember why, but I hated this book. I had to force myself to read this so I could get a mark on the literature circle. Maybe I'll read this book again and see why I hated it so I can have more of a review. "
— Book, 12/3/2013 -
" Great book but wish it weren't so directed towards children "
— Brigette, 9/28/2013 -
" Totally awesome book!! I loved it and would always recommend it. "
— Hunter, 5/24/2013 -
" Sad, but I couldn't put it down! It really makes you think. "
— C, 4/17/2013 -
" The beginning was awesome!!! As, the journey grew longer you got more antisipated andmore worried about Jonas and Gabe. The ending left you wondering about where they were. "
— Katarina, 12/6/2012 -
" Incredible book - I read it in a day. Not for everyone...the ending can be interpreted a couple of different ways. I choose a happy ending... "
— Nikki, 11/26/2012 -
" Its good but its mostly for teen. It gets kind of complicated in the end and the ending is very vague. "
— Sara, 10/24/2012 -
" If I read this before hunger games I would be totally sucked in; however, I did not. I cant help but compare the two . "
— Lsmckinlay, 6/17/2012 -
" Anything by Lowry is amazing. "
— Laurie, 3/18/2012 -
" Remember the effect this book had on me in grade school. It taught me not to take any details for granted. "
— Dantina, 2/19/2012 -
" it had a really good story behind it. "
— Jasmine, 5/24/2011 -
" Its a sad book but it was worth reading i hope he survived at the end "
— Xiteckz, 5/23/2011 -
" It was very good! I couldn put it down!!! "
— Christin, 5/23/2011 -
" I just finished this book for about the 6th time. It is so good and everytime i read it i discover something new. A wondderful story that really gets my students EXCITED. they love it, i love it. The language is beautiful and the characters are heartbreaking...so good. <br/> "
— Stacy, 5/22/2011 -
" One of the most beautiful books of YA literature. "
— Celeste, 5/22/2011 -
" I thought this book was good and I felt how the character felt. I liked the way the author had described the color red that the boy had seen. "
— Courtney, 5/22/2011 -
" Although being forced to read it. How wonderful of a book this is shined through (though I'm sure it would have been better on my own). "
— Deuxization, 5/22/2011 -
" Thought it was a very easy read and found it very fascinating, it is a type of society that may seem lame to some but when broken down, for the most part its a functional easy happy society. "
— Steven, 5/22/2011 -
" I read this in school. <br/>This book had strange parts in it, but it was good. <br/>This book is science fiction, cause it happens in the future. "
— Creativejuyoung, 5/21/2011 -
" at first i didn't want to read it but it turned out to be a really good book<br/> "
— Ruby, 5/21/2011 -
" Brevin wanted me to read it because they had read it in English and he liked it - I did not like the ending - too ambiguous! "
— Elena, 5/21/2011
About Lois Lowry
Lois Lowry is the author of more than forty books for children and young adults, including the bestselling Giver Quartet and the popular Anastasia Krupnik series. She has received many honors, among them the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award, the California Young Reader Medal, and the Mark Twain Award. She received Newbery Medals for two of her novels, Number the Stars and The Giver.
About Ron Rifkin
Ron Rifkin was born on October 31, 1939 in New York City as Saul M. Rifkin. He is an actor, known for his roles in Alias, L.A. Confidential, and The Negotiator. He has been married to Iva Rifkin since 1966.