I expected "The Giver" to be a "kid's book." Technically it is, but any adult could appreciate this book. The Giver depicts a future world defined by utter conformity, which reminded me of Orwell's 1984, and had me thinking about this book for a long time. The reading level is certainly accessible to a 4th or 5th grader; but I'd recommend reading or listening to this with your kids so you can discuss and review the content. Nothing objectionable: it's just really deep, with an emphasis on thinking for oneself, with an uplifting message.

My wife has been using this book in her 8th grade language arts curriculum for several years now, but I only recently decided to give it a listen. I wasn't expecting much, but I was pleasantly surprised. For a book that's intended to be read by young adults, it deals with some fairly mature topics but does so as eloquently as possible. Overall, I thought the story was extremely interesting, but it left too many unanswered questions in my opinion. I would have thought this was an abridged version, because I felt this story could have gone much more in depth regarding the giving and receiving, as well as the history of the community. I also would have preferred a less ambiguous ending, but I guess that's part of what makes this book great for classroom discussion and interpretation.

Loved it! Reminded my of being a kid an reading it in school. Just a great book.

At first I was a bit hesitant to listen to this when a friend loan me her cds. I started to listened to the first cd on my way to work (just so I can say I did listen to it)and needless to say I was hooked. The story made me think alot of our own society. It was very provoking to even think that we could be in this kind of situation ourselve. Not all seen to be what they seem. I had to buy my own copy so that I could share it with my grandchildren. Even brought the next two audio books that follow. I just hope that there will be a 4th book in the making. It left me wanting to know what really happened to Matt. Matt went through so much just to end the way it did. I would recommend these books to anyone.

A fable of what humanity might become if those in charge sought a "perfect" world of efficiency, and homogeneity at the price of the human spirit.

My sister recommended this book to me and I love to read childrens' books so I gave it a try and it is a really enjoyable, thought-provoking story. I really liked it and the only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because I found the ending kind of lackluster compared to the build-up of the book.

This books seems to have gotten very popular in the US during the 90s because it is often used by teachers in schools for writing assignments. The story centers on a utopia that has its bad side, but compared to the dystopian stories I've read previously, the community in the Giver actually seems not so bad (especially when compared with the world we have now). My kids all listened to this one with me and I found the story to be perfect for younger ones, pre-teens.

I enjoyed the story and will share it with family and friends. The story although being written for young adults can be used by any person who needs a means of explaining how some people can only see the world in black and white. I actually think the story is better directed towards parents and will think of it often when talking with family and friends about our role of raising adults in a flawed socity.

I found this book in the library one day, and couldn't put it down. The Giver is a fascinating story, and Lowry draws you in. Even though the wold is completely foriegn, you understand it completely, and it doesn't confuse you. Soon after finishing it, I devoured the two sequels. Lowry is a wonderful author, and I completely recomend all of her books, especially this one.

can't help but think the writer was on something when this story was written? Like some edible mushrooms?!? I personally did not think this novel was powerful or provocative (as the new york times claimed). But then again, I also think the human race is capable of many great and stupid things-- just give us enough time and rope and we will figure out how to hang ourselves. So I had a hard time listening to this book. I read fiction because I want fantasy, not a moral wrapped up in a blanky served up as a science fiction book. Ug. But that is just me. Clearly this book is liked by a lot of people.