|
RMathiesen said: A Different Way Of Living. This story is set many generations in the future. The world described is in some ways like our own, but in many ways different. Jonas, the hero of the story, lives in a commune where life seems ideal. Each person has his place in the group and knows exactly what is expected of him. What is demanded rarely seems too much. The physical needs of each person are met and nobody goes hungry or homeless. The way people dress, the things they own and the houses they live in have conformity, so nobody is jealous or thinks overly much of themselves. People's mental well-being is looked after by rituals such as the evening "Telling of Feelings" and the morning "Telling of Dreams". In this apparently model world Jonas is eleven and waiting the December ceremony when he, and all his year, will officially become twelve. At that ceremony each child will be allotted a new role, which will be their career for life. As Twelves they will undergo an apprenticeship for that career, though their schooling will also continue. Jonas finds it hard to describe exactly how he feels about the coming ceremony. Will the Elders choose a career that is right for him? What will it be? Will he be a success at the task, or will he fail, as some do?
This is a very interesting and exciting book, which encourages the reader to think about the society in which he or she lives. Is the way our society does things right? In what ways could it be improved? Of course in countries like Israel and Russia people have really experimented with living in communes. Were they successes and in what ways were they failures?
The first half of the story rolls along at a leisurely but stimulating pace as we get to know Jonas' family, friends and world. In the second half the pace quickens as we are confronted with some emotional facts about the way the commune really works. These truths lead to exciting developments and a very well written climax.
Jonas is described well as a character and he comes across as a quite ordinary boy who in many ways is much like us. The book demonstrates how ordinary people, when they act on their conviction, can become 'heroes' without really meaning to. The character of the old man, called The Giver, is also drawn quite well. In his personality we see someone who has born much pain, has thought much about what is right, and yet who in many ways is powerless to make changes for the good. Right answers are not always easy to come upon.
This book can be read by children eleven and up, though I must point out that it covers issues which may be disturbing to the less mature. This would be a fine book for a school report as it contains much to be discussed and is at the same time a delight to read. This book is a winner of the American Library Association's Newberry Medal.
tags: I'm reading, I recommend, communes |
