Banned Book Reviews #6
Written by sawaboof.
In a world of black and white, Jonas sees red.
To be more specific, Jonas sees the memory of red, in a world with no memories. In a controlled climate, he can feel cold. He feels desire, which can be cured with a pill. In a perfect world where everyone is the same, he discovers that equality is not a true Utopia, and he leaves, before his community can destroy the Imperfection he has come to love.
In Lois Lowry's The Giver, Jonas lives a sheltered life with his family unit—his mother, father, and younger sister. When Jonas turns 12, he is assigned the job he will hold for the rest of his life. It is then that he discovers the scenery changes he's been randomly noticing are, in fact, flashes of memory of the color red. He is unique in this ability to see colors and, for this reason, his given role in life is to be the community's receiver of memories. He will hold all the memories of the community's past. This proves to be a huge emotional burden for Jonah, and it opens his eyes to the reality of the community's "utopia."
In Jonah's society, those who cannot contribute are released—through euthanasia. Jonah's family unit has recently been caring for an infant, Gabriel. After a year of living with Jonah's family, it is determined that Gabriel—Gabe—needs to be released, because he has failed to learn to sleep soundly through the night.
Wishing to save Gabe's life, and wanting his community to experience "real" life, Jonas takes the imperfect baby and leaves the community. He knows when he leaves, all the memories he has gained through his mentor will be released into the community's population.
I recommend this book to anyone who believes that a world without violence and poverty can be perfect.
This is the idea that founded Jonas' world. The memories Jonas receives through his mentor, the Giver, open his eyes to an imperfect world. This world contained violence, heartache, death, destruction, and sadness. But he saw much more than this. He remembered things he'd never experienced—true love, animals, adventure, happiness, excitement, risk, adventure, snow.
This book focuses on the idea that without sadness, one cannot experience joy. Without despair, hope cannot exist, and compassion has no place in a world that does not suffer.
Those who accept the bad with the good, and embrace the growth and the journey that come from each type of experience, should also read this book.
On a scale of 1 through 5, I give this book the highest rating of five. A story that promotes humanity deserves it.
The Giver
I loved The Giver. Have you read Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World? It was very similar to this book. Good to look into if you are really seeking the postmodern idealism that "a world without violence and poverty can be perfect."
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