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The Giver by Lois Lowry MAG

By Bapalapa2 ELITE, Brooklyn, New York
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Bapalapa2 ELITE, Brooklyn, New York
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After reading The Giver, I was left confused and disappointed. It seemed as if it would be interesting, but you can't judge a book by its cover. The contents were dull and predictable. Quite honestly, I wouldn't recommend it to any reader seeking a fine piece of literature. It just doesn't suffice.

The Giver is about a young boy named Jonas. He resides in a futuristic society in which each citizen is assigned a job, a spouse, and children. The children are born to mothers who will never get to see them. Trying not to give anymore away, I will only say that Jonas is assigned an important job and is challenged with the release of an innocent child. Jonas is left with the option of leaving his home, job, and family to save the child, or facing the harsh reality of his community and job, and enduring the release of the child.

This book was dreadful. I became more and more dissatisfied with each page. It was a waste of time and hardly made sense. I'll admit, there were a few interesting lines, but far too few to continue reading after the first chapter. Although I finished it, I regret doing so. It was, by far, the worst book I've ever picked up. It proved to be mediocre, no better than what the average person could conceive. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

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This article has 588 comments.

queennels17 PLATINUM said...
on Jun. 22 2011 at 10:38 pm
queennels17 PLATINUM, Wellington, Florida
21 articles 8 photos 25 comments

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I disagree a lot actually!!!!! This book was amazing i've read it about 5 times and i was still amazed at how an author can come up with a story like this. But i respect your opinion. 
anna_banana BRONZE said...
on Jun. 22 2011 at 9:30 pm
anna_banana BRONZE, Wilmington, Delaware
4 articles 1 photo 27 comments

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I guess so. And I have to respect that opinon I guess... 
firelord SILVER said...
on Jun. 22 2011 at 8:40 pm
firelord SILVER, Queensbury, New York
8 articles 0 photos 22 comments

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"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I- I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference." -Robert Frost

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I read The Giver a couple of times, and thought is t was good. You have to just understand what it's going for. I can't explain it, maybe some just like it better than others :)
anna_banana BRONZE said...
on Jun. 22 2011 at 4:44 pm
anna_banana BRONZE, Wilmington, Delaware
4 articles 1 photo 27 comments

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I also disagreed. i read this for summer reading for school, and LOVED it. in fact, it opened up my intrest in dystopias and dystopian is now my favorite genre. i was a beautiful book, even though i took a while to get into. does anyone know if there's a sequel?
DreamingOurWorld GOLD said...
on Jun. 22 2011 at 1:42 pm
DreamingOurWorld GOLD, Irvine, California
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Your review was very short. Maybe you could expand a little bit? I read the book and I loved it. You never really gave us reasons for why it was so bad. Maybe then, I could understand your point of view, but until then, I really don't understand why you don't like The Giver. It was a beautiful book, and I fell in love with it the first time I picked it up.
RiverSong BRONZE said...
on Jun. 22 2011 at 10:45 am
RiverSong BRONZE, Baltimore, Maryland
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And after reading Gathering Blue, read The Messenger.  It explains what happened to Jonas even further.  I happen to love all three of the books.
_NoAir_ BRONZE said...
on Jun. 15 2011 at 6:25 pm
_NoAir_ BRONZE, Toronto, Other
4 articles 1 photo 463 comments

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There are as many ways to live as there are people in this world. Each one deserves a closer look.<br /> <br /> <br /> &ndash;Golly (Harriet The Spy)

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It is a deep, unique and amazing book- that is the problem. It is confusing unless you invest every word deeply. Then, you can understand the true meaning. I respect your opinion, of course. We all are, but just a thought. Nice revieeeeew!   =D
willowwriter GOLD said...
on Jun. 14 2011 at 10:47 am
willowwriter GOLD, Rogers, Arkansas
13 articles 0 photos 23 comments

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&quot;no matter who you are, where you come from, or where you are going, you are always loved&quot;

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I for one adore The Giver. It has a message that you must look deep to find
Bumbleshree said...
on Jun. 13 2011 at 8:08 pm
Think of it like this- every book has an ending. Lois Lowry went out of the box and one day you'll appreciate it.
Hippiealien SILVER said...
on Jun. 13 2011 at 1:34 pm
Hippiealien SILVER, Fair Oaks, California
7 articles 5 photos 43 comments

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this book was great,and not at all predictable. Sure,it would be nice to know the end lol but I did enjoy it and it was a interesting story plot.
rubyrainstorm SILVER said...
on Jun. 8 2011 at 8:51 pm
rubyrainstorm SILVER, Closter, New Jersey
7 articles 0 photos 275 comments

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Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.<br /> -Buddha.

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I disagree with "The Giver SUCKS 093." Even though you are entitled to your opinion, please do not speak of lois Lowry in such a demeaning way. I happen to think the Giver was an amazing book. Please respect that.
rubyrainstorm SILVER said...
on Jun. 8 2011 at 8:49 pm
rubyrainstorm SILVER, Closter, New Jersey
7 articles 0 photos 275 comments

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Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.<br /> -Buddha.

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Agreed  
rubyrainstorm SILVER said...
on Jun. 8 2011 at 8:48 pm
rubyrainstorm SILVER, Closter, New Jersey
7 articles 0 photos 275 comments

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Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.<br /> -Buddha.

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OMG LOOOVE LOVE LOVE TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD!
rubyrainstorm SILVER said...
on Jun. 8 2011 at 8:48 pm
rubyrainstorm SILVER, Closter, New Jersey
7 articles 0 photos 275 comments

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Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.<br /> -Buddha.

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As for where Jonas went, read Gathering Blue. It kinda answers that question.
rubyrainstorm SILVER said...
on Jun. 8 2011 at 8:47 pm
rubyrainstorm SILVER, Closter, New Jersey
7 articles 0 photos 275 comments

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Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.<br /> -Buddha.

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Its almost impossible to predict that that would happen...so either you're psychic, or you're lying...I totally disagree, I read this book over 3 years ago, and I still love it and continue rereading it. I was enticed by how appealing the world Jonas lived in was...and if you're unsatisfied with the ending and have questions about it, read Gathering Blue. It kind of answers where Jonas went.
Kwigggggg BRONZE said...
on Jun. 7 2011 at 9:50 pm
Kwigggggg BRONZE, Newmarket, Other
3 articles 0 photos 19 comments

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Everything will be okay in the end. If it&#039;s not okay, it&#039;s not the end.

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I dissagree with you, the book was in no way predictible, and the ending was ambiguious. It left me thinking about it for days the first time I read it 4 years ago, and I read it again this year and fell in love with it all over again. It is a beautifully written novel and has so many greater implications within it. I think that every time I read it, I will take something different from it, and it's sure to be one of my favourites for years!
K.M.S.Shear BRONZE said...
on Jun. 3 2011 at 8:49 am
K.M.S.Shear BRONZE, Cherokee, Iowa
2 articles 0 photos 57 comments

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&quot;Some people think writing is a waist of their time. For me it&rsquo;s a way to draw an image of myself through the painting of words.&quot;

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I loved it.
BandGeek BRONZE said...
on Jun. 2 2011 at 11:51 am
BandGeek BRONZE, Lyman, Maine
4 articles 0 photos 10 comments
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I loved this book too! And I read it about three years ago! I'm thinking about reading it again now....:)
Fangstorm_The_Vampire GOLD said...
on Jun. 1 2011 at 11:55 am
Fangstorm_The_Vampire GOLD, Tehachapi, California
15 articles 1 photo 49 comments

Favorite Quote:
It&#039;s a bird!<br /> It&#039;s a midget!<br /> NO. it&#039;s...... EDWARD ELRIC.

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Yeah I read this when I was ten. It is a great book, and now I am twelve, and still appreciate it.
Alyssalicious BRONZE said...
on May. 31 2011 at 6:04 pm
Alyssalicious BRONZE, Whittier, California
3 articles 13 photos 7 comments

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&quot;Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are one.&quot;<br /> ~JK Rowling

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I agree! It was a good introduction for me into classic literature for an eighth grade Honors English class. I didn't appreciate it when I was younger, but now that I understand the symbolism and political connections, it was a really good book, even though the ending was short.