The Giver

This classic dystopian novel and Newbery Award winner by Lois Lowry made it to the top of my "to read" pile on vacation because we have the movie on Netflix that we are going to watch and I had forgotten too much of the book. A perfectly wrought story about where we end up on the road of good intentions--as my former colleague Arthur used to say. It is indeed a sort of hell where there are no colors, no real emotions, no relief in the landscape of gray. Only one person sees beyond this existence and carries the memories of the entire human race throughout history. It is a nearly unbearable burden because these memories include moments of joy and beauty but also moments of the most terrible misery and brutality. As Jonas turns 12, he is chosen to be the new Receiver and holder of these memories.  When Jonas learns the terrible secret of how society is being controlled to avoid problems, he and the Giver come up with a desperate plan to give these memories back to the people. There are 3 sequels to this novel and I am tempted to read them, and certainly looking forward to the movie.