The Giver

By: Lois Lowry

Narrated by: Ron Rifkin

Length: 4 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

December is the time of the annual Ceremony at which each twelve-year-old receives a life assignment determined by the Elders. Jonas watches his friend Fiona named Caretaker of the Old and his cheerful pal Asher labeled the Assistant Director of Recreation. But Jonas has been chosen for something special. When his selection leads him to an unnamed man, the man called only the Giver, he begins to sense the dark secrets that underlie the fragile perfection of his world.

Told with deceptive simplicity, this is the provocative story of a boy who experiences something incredible and undertakes something impossible. In the telling it questions every value we have taken for granted and reexamines our most deeply held beliefs.

©1993 Lois Lowry (P)1993 Random House, Inc., Listening Library, An Imprint Of Random House Audio Publishing Group

Critic reviews

Newbery Medal Winner, 1994

"This is a compelling prospect for family listening. Initially Rifkin's voice seems too regional to portray the characters of this utopian/dystopian world, but he convincingly conveys the anticipation of the coming-of-age ceremony of Jonas and his friends. As the meaning of Jonas’ selection as “Receiver of Memory” unfolds, Rifkin’s characterizations become more powerful. Although the story drives the presentation, Rifkin’s juxtaposition of the young boy and the old Giver has tremendous effect. His voice for the Giver becomes increasingly weary and strained while Jonas' gains strength. Sharing this audiobook in a family or a classroom offers a valuable opportunity to respond to and discuss Lowry’s moving novel." (AudioFile magazine)

"A powerful and provocative novel." (The New York Times)
"Lowry is once again in top form...unwinding a tale fit for the most adventurous readers." (Publishers Weekly)
"The author makes real abstract concepts, such as the meaning of a life in which there are virtually no choices to be made and no experiences with deep feelings. This tightly plotted story and its believable characters will stay with readers for a long time." (School Library Journal)

The Giver - The Nanny Society to Extremes

Story: I got the book since I was going to see the movie. I found the book much more interesting since the movie did not make it clear the impact of the Giver / Receiver's function in the society; that they took away the bad memories and held them. I am interested to see how the other books will work out.

Reader: The reader was excellent and I saw no flaws.

annoying music

Interesting story, narrator was okay. Better than in the sample.

Disturbing background music made listening difficult in chapter transitions.

Fantastic Book, Great Reader, Corny Music

I really enjoyed this book. It's actually become one of my favourites. Though I find issues with how it was presented here. The reader does a fine job, so no issues there, but there are a number of theatrical musical flourishes to add emphasis to more tense or wonderous parts of the book. contextually, I suppose they were placed at the appropriate time for that sort of thing, but I find it to be extremely corny. But this is a preference thing. I can still bear it, and you may find it a welcome addition to the atmosphere. To me though, I feel that this could have done well without.

a snow slide of emotions

this book is beautiful. the reader captures the emotions and the magical moments perfectly written by a genius.

Okay Book, Great Story

This book is okay, The Book started off boring but came to an exciting finish. Thanks so much for this book.

Great Story

I remember reading this when I was in school. There is so much more in this book than I remember. My 10 year old son loved it. He liked it much, he asked me if there were any more books in the series. FYI, there are three sequels to The Giver. We plan on listening to them soon. Happy listening!

good

reader: great with narration. good with adult dialog voices. didn't care much for child dialog voices, got a bit extreme.

story: well written, except ending. pace of revelations about the story's world and plot very good, again except ending... revealed slowly without being gimmicky. ending was gimmicky though, and repetitive and pace of story slowed way down. Still a very good book despite not loving the ending. would recommend it for both adults and YA.

other: music interjections were annoying, both distracting and bad music.

An amazing story

I have always loved the book the giver and with audible I am able to listen to one of my favorite books. The giver is a very compelling story that is interesting to all readers.

Exceptional

A classics classic. A must read and a true masterpiece. Everyone should hear this story.

Weird musical overlays

I have always loved this book but this was my first time listening to it. The narration was fine but at certain "important" points, there were loud and intrusive musical overlays that I did not enjoy. If those were removed, I'd like it much better.