The Giver by Lois Lowry

audio book

I am surprised that I have never read this book before as a child. For a young adult book, it has a lot of adult themes. The book is about a society that has taken away choices and uniqueness in order to protect its member. The people do not see color and do not hear music. They must take pills in order to prevent "stirrings." At each age of their lives they hit a new milestone. For example at 8 the kids get a new grown up coat and at nine they get a bike. At 10 they lose their childish haircuts and at 12 they are told what they will do for the rest of their lives. They are named at 1 and given to parents. The adults must apply for a spouse which is chosen for them and kids. When the kids grow up they parents become single again and when they get old they go to a special house where they are taken care of. They are safe and protected, but also do not feel emotions such as love. However, they do feel happiness and sadness, Jonas has been given the job as keeper of memories where he learns about colors and music and love. He learns what it really means to be "released" from the society. He decides that it is better to feel pain and love then to live a life without pain and sadness and without love. The book has a lot of religious and political undertones about choice and if we are better off given to make our own choices. Also, is it better to feel the deepest sadness and loss in order to feel the wonders of love or is it better to go through life without pain, but without love? Also, is it better to all be the same without jealousy and competition or is it better to be unique and celebrate our differences?