Each month Abington Library will feature a favorite book from a faculty, staff member, or student. They will give a brief synopsis of their chosen book. Instructions can be found on the instructions tab or at libguides.asub.edu/VanguardSpotlightBook/Instructions.
Brief Description of The Giver
The Giver by Lois Lowry is a dystopian novel based in a perfectly controlled society. This story displays a very thought-provoking nature that inspires both question and curiosity. Its dystopian nature provides a different view of society as we know it. The story is based on a boy named Jonas who was chosen to be the “receiver of memory”. These memories have long been hidden and suppressed by society, and Jonas must be the one to receive the lost truths and emotions. Once Jonas receives the memories, he begins to question why society has reached this emotionless state. Living in this controlled society, the book explores what roles individuality and freedom play in human lives along with the consequences of taking both of those away.
Why did I choose this book?
I chose this book because this was the first book, I read that provided an idea of what society could look like different from my own. This was the first dystopian novel I had read, and I found it interesting to read something completely different than what I was used to. However, the most important part of this book revolves around the importance of having our own freedom and individuality. Envisioning what society could look like if both were taken away made me appreciative of having them in my life. Our memories help shape our future. We hold the memory of our loved ones close even when they are no longer here with us. We are always told that we learn from our mistakes. At some point, our mistakes become our memory. If we never had those memories, we would simply make the same mistakes. In other words, history would repeat itself. The novel encouraged me to reflect on the value of choice and the importance of memory in shaping our humanity. It remains one of my favorite reads to this day.
The Giver by