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)

Very unique and different.

I enjoyed the story and it was a fun, unique take on sort of apocalyptic style of story, the ending however....yikes!

Super fun read

It was a book that was short enough that you could get through it pretty quickly. I was worried it wouldn’t be different enough from the movie to be worth the read, but I think if you liked the movie, you should give the book a try

Good book, rough presentation

I hadn’t read this book since I was a kid, forgot how much I enjoyed the story. The narration wasn’t very good in this version though and there was odd music placement throughout the reading that was distracting and didn’t add any value.

Ending could have been more precise

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.

it was beautiful 😍💓

I can't stop crying 😭😭 it was beautiful 🌻☀⛅🌟⭐I'm going to watch the movie now

Didn't really do it for me

I had higher expectations. Perhaps too high. I hated the ending. Just seemed too simplistic, too predictable. I ended it feeling cheated a bit.

Very good childrens' story

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.

ending sucks

it was a really good story that draws you in but the ending will leave you frustrated

Fantastic - even the second time around

Read this book many years ago to my son when he was young. It is every bit as wonderful this time around as well. The themes are timeless and quite timely for us today. The brilliance of Lois' work continues in the other books in this series: Gathering Blue, Messenger and finally Son. They are well worth the read (or a listen), no matter what your age.

Interesting Listen

I listened to this book to help my niece with a character study for school. Really enjoyed it! Amazing the differences a 13 year old and a 42 year old pick up. A good book to read and discuss with a 13-16 year old.