The Giver

By: Lois Lowry

Narrated by: Ron Rifkin

Length: 4 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

December is the time of the annual Ceremony at which each twelve-year-old receives a life assignment determined by the Elders. Jonas watches his friend Fiona named Caretaker of the Old and his cheerful pal Asher labeled the Assistant Director of Recreation. But Jonas has been chosen for something special. When his selection leads him to an unnamed man, the man called only the Giver, he begins to sense the dark secrets that underlie the fragile perfection of his world.

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.

©1993 Lois Lowry (P)1993 Random House, Inc., Listening Library, An Imprint Of Random House Audio Publishing Group

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)

Mostly good

I love this story and i've read it every year since I was about 8 years old. Figured I'd get the audio book to listen as a bedtime story. The narrator is fine, but the weird musical overlay between chapters is super weird and distracting. Wish there was a way to get rid of them.

Interesting story

This was an interesting story with engaging narration. My only complaint is the annoying music that is played throughout. Instead of adding to the story, it is a definite distraction.

Great book, applicable to today’s current events

I loved the book. The music is a bit strange and distracting but otherwise fantastic. It is a cross between Handmaids Tale and A Wrinkle in Time. Very meaningful for today’s current political strife as we become complacent to the government. I highly recommend this book

RON NO PLEASE NO MORE

Mr. Rifkin was an AWFUL narrator, I mean really bad. Despite this, i was still able to enjoy the book a wile lot. I just wish I had a different first experience with this book, but a great book nonetheless.

not a fan of

weird pauses and odd placement of music. the story is a very open ended with still so many questions unanswered. ugh!

I am the gu gu goo goob lib gu lu

Off off off eeeee eeee e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e we ee ee weee

Good book but the music was annoying

The contents of the book were amazing and a great look into philosophy and an amazing read. However the music in certain parts of the reading were rather annoying.

Voice actor gave it life!

This narrator really knows how to convey the emotions of this book!! Much thanks to you sir!!

What a book

This book is what’s started my love for books and my hunger for knowledge e

Good story bad performance

The story was good but the experience was difficult to endure. The readers voice was screeching and the constant swallowing and lip smacking was extremely distracting and annoying.