The Giver

Book 2 of 2018 was "The Giver" by Lois Lowry. It was published in 1993.

One of my earlier chapter book memories is reading "The Giver." I remember finding it unsettling and beautiful. I remember feeling like it caused a bit of a shift in my axis of my thinking. It's a brilliant book, and as much fun as it was to read as an 11-year-old, it's also very powerful to read as an adult.

Jonas is such a compelling character as is the Giver.

The book raises such important questions about what it means to be community...who writes the rules...who questions the rules...perception...memory....growing up....death....pain...beauty.

One of my favorite passages is toward the end. Jonas and Giver are working on a plan, and Jonas doesn't want to be separated from him.

"Giver," Jonas suggested, "you and I don't need to care about the rest of them." 

The Giver looked at him with a questioning smile. Jonas hung his head. Of course they needed to care. It was the meaning of everything. 

For whatever reason, those lines have been rumbling through my mind these last few days...the idea of caring, even when its painful and requires sacrifice, being the meaning of everything.

Such a good book! Have you read it?