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)

This book will capture your attention!

From page one, this book captured my undivided attention. So well written, brilliantly voiced, and opened my mind. Thank you!

Awesome book

Read it when I was a kid several years ago. It's better than I even remember listening to it now. Very easy yet engaging book that has kept me occupied through my concussion.

One of the best books ever

I loved this book alot. It was so interesting. and I loved the storyline.

Very good

I had a wonderful time listening and reading this book. I should have read it sooner! my only issue with it is that near the end i didnt really understand what Jonas and The Giver planned to do. I'll read it a second time to grasp it though. :)

Great Story, Delivery could be better...

The story was wonderful, however the music during parts of the book, was mostly annoying and unnecessary, and many times didn’t fit the feel of what was going on. I’d prefer to hear the story without the music. The Narrator was ok. I just hated when he squeaked trying to sound like an upset or crying kid, it wasn’t realistic and again very distracting and annoying. Other than that it was △⃒⃘ good book.

The reader is beyond exceptional

I was so impressed with this reader's ability to impersonate all the different characters in the book. It was a fascinating journey listening to him. I will miss him!

Superb Voice Acting for My Favorite BookofAllTime!

I first read The Giver in middle school, at Jonas's age, for English class and it transformed how I see the world, instantly becoming my favorite book.

I don't reread books, but it's been in the back of my head for decades.

Now with a 7 and a 5 year old in the backseat of the car, I had the privilege and honor to share this journey with them on our daily rides to and from school for about a week. Ron Rifkin's performance blew me away. He added so much more color and depth to the characters, to the story. His performance made me feel the joy and the pain so much more vividly. He took me right into the story, and I got lost in the story much more than I could have in a movie, because Great Acting + My Imagination = Perfection. (The random music didn't add much, but was not annoying, easily ignored due to Rifkin's superb performance.)

I love the story much more now, having experienced a lot more joy, pain, and love in life. Wow!! What a story! (And what a performance!)

Thank you Lois Lowry. Thank you Ron Rifkin.

Omg

BRO THIS WAS THE BEST BOOK EVER OH MY GOSH, 100% RECOMMEND!!! loved it

One of my favorite books.

I absolutely loved this book when I was young. And I love this story to this very day. Narration was good. Superb audio book to listen to. This story is a perfect allegory into the ancient Greeks 'Nowhere'.

Good book, annoying music

Book is fantastic! However, the music was really annoying and distracting. The reader was fine though. Overall, I would still recommend it.