I read this in the late 90's, so I don't remember specifics, but I believe I liked it. It was suggested to me by an ex bf while we were in the "being civil to each other" phase, so I don't remember if I really liked it, or just pretended. I have it in my library still, so I know I didn't hate it! In general, I do pretty well with YA books. I am finding that as I age, I don't care to have to dig too deep to find the message!
Lol. I do like a lot of contemporary YA fiction, it’s great for not having to dig too deep for the message - I appreciate that too! I find the contemporary YA stuff tends to be a lot more action packed than some of the older work I’ve read, and I definitely prefer that style. Tho I’m glad to have read The Giver, it’s always interesting to experience a book that’s obviously had an impact on so many readers at a young age. 😊
Cheers, Debs 😊 Indeed, we’re all going to enjoy different things! I do wish I’d read this when I was younger tho, I think I’d have got more out of it. I’m going see if I can get my niece to read it (she’s 13) and see what her verdict is!
I definitely found the book predictable! It absolutely has value tho, in terms of getting youngsters to consider and discuss some important ideas. I can’t speak to the quality of the movie as I haven’t seen it.
I reread the whole Giver quartet this year with a reading buddy. We felt quite differently about it; I think Lowry goes quite dark with plot and human nature through the four books. They are all alternate societies with some connecting threads, all with their flaws. And interestingly, the rest are more fantasy than science fiction.
Oh that’s interesting to hear - if they move into darker territory I might be inclined to give another one a try at some point. A move into fantasy intrigues me too - despite not having had much luck with adult fantasy so far, I have enjoyed a fair bit of YA fantasy. Hmmm… I will keep my eyes peeled for the second in the series in used bookshops perhaps! 👍
Well, aren't you just the contrarion with my YA suggestions! I'm not going to look it up right now, but it feels like you had a similar complaint of "flatness" about The White Mountains. I must ponder and see if I can come up with any more exciting YA SF suggestions. Of course, you know, I tend to prefer that flatness in fiction, so that may be the core of the issue. Happy weekend!
Lol, I don’t mean to be! Whilst I didn’t get on with White Mountains or The Giver in terms of style, it’s not that I think they’re bad. And you recommended Grasshopper Jungle, which was fabulous, so that’s one YA recommendation you absolutely nailed for me. There’s straightforward writing, which I like too, and then there’s flatness. Or what I’d called blandness. The Giver and WM both tripped into the bland for me in terms of style. I think it’s probably something to do with when they were written and also that I’ve been reading them for the first time as an adult - they don’t work as well perhaps. Still glad to have read them tho, and it’s not like you’ve been off on many recommendations for me! You’ve nailed a ton of the adult SF plus more outside that genre. 😀👍
I read this in the late 90's, so I don't remember specifics, but I believe I liked it. It was suggested to me by an ex bf while we were in the "being civil to each other" phase, so I don't remember if I really liked it, or just pretended. I have it in my library still, so I know I didn't hate it! In general, I do pretty well with YA books. I am finding that as I age, I don't care to have to dig too deep to find the message!
Lol. I do like a lot of contemporary YA fiction, it’s great for not having to dig too deep for the message - I appreciate that too! I find the contemporary YA stuff tends to be a lot more action packed than some of the older work I’ve read, and I definitely prefer that style. Tho I’m glad to have read The Giver, it’s always interesting to experience a book that’s obviously had an impact on so many readers at a young age. 😊
Great review Alex!
Cheers, man! Thanks for watching 👍
Great review, very honest and balanced. No book is for everyone 😊
Cheers, Debs 😊 Indeed, we’re all going to enjoy different things! I do wish I’d read this when I was younger tho, I think I’d have got more out of it. I’m going see if I can get my niece to read it (she’s 13) and see what her verdict is!
I'd never heard of this when the movie came out, and it just looked kind of new agey and predictible.
I definitely found the book predictable! It absolutely has value tho, in terms of getting youngsters to consider and discuss some important ideas. I can’t speak to the quality of the movie as I haven’t seen it.
I reread the whole Giver quartet this year with a reading buddy. We felt quite differently about it; I think Lowry goes quite dark with plot and human nature through the four books. They are all alternate societies with some connecting threads, all with their flaws. And interestingly, the rest are more fantasy than science fiction.
Oh that’s interesting to hear - if they move into darker territory I might be inclined to give another one a try at some point. A move into fantasy intrigues me too - despite not having had much luck with adult fantasy so far, I have enjoyed a fair bit of YA fantasy. Hmmm… I will keep my eyes peeled for the second in the series in used bookshops perhaps! 👍
Well, aren't you just the contrarion with my YA suggestions! I'm not going to look it up right now, but it feels like you had a similar complaint of "flatness" about The White Mountains. I must ponder and see if I can come up with any more exciting YA SF suggestions. Of course, you know, I tend to prefer that flatness in fiction, so that may be the core of the issue. Happy weekend!
Lol, I don’t mean to be! Whilst I didn’t get on with White Mountains or The Giver in terms of style, it’s not that I think they’re bad. And you recommended Grasshopper Jungle, which was fabulous, so that’s one YA recommendation you absolutely nailed for me.
There’s straightforward writing, which I like too, and then there’s flatness. Or what I’d called blandness. The Giver and WM both tripped into the bland for me in terms of style. I think it’s probably something to do with when they were written and also that I’ve been reading them for the first time as an adult - they don’t work as well perhaps. Still glad to have read them tho, and it’s not like you’ve been off on many recommendations for me! You’ve nailed a ton of the adult SF plus more outside that genre. 😀👍