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The Giver
- Narrated by: Ron Rifkin
- Length: 4 hrs and 49 mins
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The Giver
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Summary
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.
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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)
What listeners say about The Giver
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 16-03-23
Mehhh
Quite boring and uneventful. Interesting concept however. Had to read this for school and since I’m not really into dystopian literature I suppose I have some sort of bias.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 06-09-23
fantastic dystopian tale!
imagine a world, centuries "post disaster", where a different kind of society emerges. Highly structured, where every citizen's role in life is strictly defined and there is no choice, no colour, no autonomy and no strong emotions. This has been done for the sake of safety and harmony, so there will be no more war.
But what has happened to all the memories of times past? They have been preserved in the Giver, whose role is to pass them on to a new Receiver every generation. Jonas has been selected to be the new Receiver of Memory. But his new role contains many horrible surprises, and as his eyes are opened, he is impelled to change the way his society is run.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 29-12-23
How it was told
The teller of the story giving the story a new way to experience the story by making it sound more alive like it was almost real
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Fineandandy
- 23-12-22
Chillingly believable
Gripped. Transported. Inspired. Chilled. A world depicted in convincing detail. Held me throughout thanks to it's execution enthrallingly delivered.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Book Queen
- 22-01-24
Annoying music detracts from the narration
A good story ruined by irritating intrusions of random music being played throughout with neither rhyme nor reason to its placing.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 09-03-23
Good story but annoying voice
The story is very gripping and interesting but the narrator’s voice is rather annoying but overall it was really enjoyable.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Zelda
- 30-09-23
Great intro - dystopian fiction for young adults
I came across this book while looking for books suitable for young adult and adult readers for TESOL teachers and I would highly recommend it. I really enjoy dystopian literature as there is so much food for thought, but much of it is so dark and violent that it is difficult to share with new readers. This is really a wonderful book as the language is simple enough for new readers but the ideas allow for philosophical debate on a number of levels.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Natty
- 21-12-23
Dystopian Concept
Great concept I which it had gone in longer. I felt attended when we were only just getting started.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Angela M
- 26-01-23
Griping story
The story was excellent - such a unique idea.
The storytelling let this down. While the narrator was great for the most part, why near the end of each chapter is there music playing, music that almost drowns out the narrator? And not sure why the narrator ends each chapter saying the last few words extra slowly.
Remove the unnecessary music and this would be a 5!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Faye Oxley
- 12-01-23
creepy and brilliant
I loved this. Perfect reading, and the story was captivating. I could not stop listening to it. I think this will stay with me for a long time.
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