The Giver

Oh no, not another young adult dystopia novel! Lois Lowry's classic and popular story was written in 1993, however - way before trend. It could be seen as the young adult novel that started the ball rolling, in fact, and has so many elements that stay with you after reading.
It has all the usual requirements of the genre: strict rules and regulations, assigned roles within the community, selection ceremonies and callous leaders. It is not until Jonas on his twelfth birthday is selected to be the next Receiver of Memory that it starts to become clear just how bad things have got in this alternative society.
There are illustrations in my version by Paul Cox and they feel totally wrong for the tone of the novel. It even becomes a bit dubious, when the young Receiver has to lie shirtless on the bed and the Giver, a smiling old man, puts his hands on his back.

The Giver is a benign figure, however, who is the holder of all the current and past population's memories. He passes them on to Jonas through touch and Jonas experiences the memories for the first time - family Xmas', sledging in the snow but also war, pain and suffering. He holds these to protect the rest of the people but it is a heavy burden and The Giver's previous chosen incumbent (his daughter) committed suicide.




It raises the importance of memories and of sharing these with others - without them people are blameless in their actions as they know no previous guilt or harm done. It is particularly strong where it is revealed that weak or unresponsive babies are murdered and that Jonas' father is responsible in his role as a Nurturer - all the while talking in that way adults do to babies as he drops them down a chute.
It also touches on the taking of pills to reduce feelings and feel no pain; that numbing the senses brings a great loss of experience to life be it good or bad.
I was a bit unsure of the sledge ride at the end - was it a happy ending or was it was a dreamlike state induced by cold, hunger and impending death?
So, as you can tell, its a pretty grim and advanced story for children! 

Official movie website


The Movie

I think this film was sadly overlooked what with all the other YA films out there, but it is very well done. I'd recommend giving it a watch! As in the book, the world is revealed to be in black and white and only becomes gradually technicolour by different palettes, as Jonas is given memories. It reminded me of the same technique used in Pleasantville, as the 50s children became more influenced by the 1990s children in their TV world.
Another great use of technique and imagery were the transfers of memory, flashing through all the good and bad things in our world and making it seem quite relevant to current issues. The dodgy means of transferring has been altered to clasping hands, however, which was probably a good thing.
The film makers have aimed to make the plot more for an older audience, as Jonas is aged more around 15 or 16. This means a love interest can be introduced with Fiona and additional breaking of rules by encouraging her to feel love.

A longer chase is also added, where he is pursued by his former best friend (a bit formulaic which reminded me of Logan's Run, as did the celebration of the older generation going to Elsewhere).
Jeff Bridges plays the Giver with a rebellious mischief, wanting to overturn the callous regime after his daughter's suicide. The other actors play there parts well - sadly the multi-talented Meryl Streep has the po-faced unemotional role of the Chief Elder, which hardly uses her to her best ability.