Dallas’ Pick: The Giver by Lois Lowry

Lois Lowery did a wonderful job on this classic novel. I have recently read a newer young adult book Matched by Ally Condie that was so similar to this classic novel I was shocked. You can clearly see where Condie got her inspiration from and I can’t say I would blame her. The Giver was a wonderful novel that makes you wonder what it would be like to live in a “perfect” life style. In their world everything is customized to fit your lifestyle and what is best for the overall being of the world. There are no colors that anyone can remember, no songs or poems except for the ones that the government deems appropriate, they even choose what would be best for ALL of your meals. Now I don’t know about you but if I want another serving of macaroni and cheese it will be hard to stop me. The name the giver actually comes from the person who gives the memories of the old world, the world we are used to, to the person who will replace them when they die. Sounds like the perfect system right? It would be, if the new giver, the receiver, didn’t feel wrong for keeping all of the wonderful memories to himself. He wanted to share love, and colors, and the warmth of the sun to everyone so they could feel happiness. Who could blame him there? The receiver will do things he has never imagined doing to make sure that the past doesn’t die with him alone. I recommend reading this book especially if you enjoyed Matched and if you haven’t read either you should check both of them out.