Dystopia Land discussion

As some of you know this will soon be a movie and Kammera gave me the great idea to make it a group read. So we can all read it before the movie is out.

If you have read it you are welcome to comment, but please use the spoiler tag: Write <spoiler>the spoiler between those two </spoiler>

I'm in, I have read this before, but I should reread it because I don't remember a lot about the book.

I'm in too :-).

I have the audiobook and read the first 4 chapters. I'll post my thoughts so far.

It's an easy read, which I don't mind. I do like the premise of a dystopia that's a 'perfect' world, and I'm curious to see how the story develops.

I don't think this is a spoiler, but better be safe than sorry. (view spoiler)[ I find it odd that in this world, with the community structure and all, those who deliver the baby are called 'birth mother'. In our world, it would be the right term, but in the story it isn't right. They just deliver them, and they're in possibility the lowest class in the community, where families (and thus mothers) are in the highest. (hide spoiler)] Ah well, it's just a small thing, maybe I'm too critical ;-).

Talitha

I started reading it today and I can't stop. I've read half of it so far.

Talitha wrote: "(view spoiler)"

Talitha do you think they should have a different name for their designation? It seems to me no label is meant to degrade a person and therefor this is an appropriate one.

hmm maybe you're right. I'm a little further in the story now and my previous irritation with the name is gone. I guess I wasn't patient enough :-).

Talitha wrote: "hmm maybe you're right. I'm a little further in the story now and my previous irritation with the name is gone. I guess I wasn't patient enough :-)."

How far are you? I stopped at Chapter.11 last night. Will continue today on my way to work. I must say since Jonas [chapter 10 spoiler](view spoiler)[was chosen for memory receiver and his weird vision glitch (hide spoiler)]it's been even more interesting.

I'm currently wondering if the way to transmit [52%, chapter 11 spoiler](view spoiler)[memories is part of a genetical experiment or something that will not be explained, but I'm sure I will know quite soon (hide spoiler)]

I am also wondering, since this book has been a fast read, if the movie will cover only book 1 or do I need to read book 2 (which I might do anyway since I'm hooked now)

I've been wondering about the movie adaption too. But you never know if they're gonna stich to the story. They managed to make 3 movies (or actually 4!) out of the Hobbit, which is a relatively short book too. Well, if I like the rest of the book I think I'll continue with the series as well :-).

(spoiler chapter 9)
I'm at chapter 12 btw! I was actually hoping Jonas (view spoiler)[ had to stop taking the pill at the beginning of his training (hide spoiler)], but maybe later:-).

I finished it. I loved it but I hate the ending.

I will open a SPOILER topic for those of us that have already read the whole book.

Chapter 12
Ok, so I had no idea (view spoiler)[ that they don't have colours. It takes Sameness to a whole new level. And in one of the first chapters when you read most of the people have darker eyes and Jonas' eyes are lighter, I kinda automatically read 'brown' and 'blue'. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 14
(view spoiler)[ Gabriel has the same eyes and can receive memories? I'm really curious to see where this is going. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 16
(view spoiler)[ Ok so, I feel kind of sad for him when he asks his parents if they love him, but YAY! He doesn't take his pill. (hide spoiler)]

Sometimes I feel like the book is a bit too easy, with a just too much repetition in some parts. But I know it's officially a children's book, and other than that it's a very enjoyable read.

Hi, I haven't read it and would like to, partly because I just read the Matched books and noticed a lot of reviewers saying it was a rip off of The Giver. I'm intrigued to know if that is true or not. Plus The Giver movie looks fantastic and I'd rather read the book before I see it.

I think that the idea of freedom to choose is a big topic for young students to ponder and that those choices bring about consequences -good and bad. This book helps kids start to question and THINK about life and what is really important in life.

Do we have the right to kill people, to tell people what to say,do and think? To decide for them what is best for them? A lot of "ifs" come into play as you wrestle with different scenarios. It's great to see when kids discover the same dilemmas that adults do! As Jonas begins discovering his differences and you see how much more human he is becoming, you can't help but feel sorry for this sad little "utopia"

I just remember after I read this book the first time(years and years ago) how frightened I was that this could be a possible and bleak future for us!! Of course, my imagination always gets the best of me!

Talitha wrote: "Chapter 14
[spoilers removed]"

Too bad this was not more developed. I was wondering if all children/babies (view spoiler)[could receive memories (hide spoiler)]


Kammera wrote: "Do we have the right to kill people, to tell people what to say,do and think? To decide for them what is best for them? A lot of "ifs" come into play as you wrestle with different scenarios. It's great to see when kids discover the same dilemmas that adults do! As Jonas begins discovering his differences and you see how much more human he is becoming, you can't help but feel sorry for this sad little "utopia""

I can't imagine how would kids react to the book, to any book in fact. I wonder if any of them could see what Releasing means before it was clearly spelled out in the book?

This book is usually recommended for upper elementary students because of the mature themes like release/ wars/ sexual desires that are repressed and the discussions that this book brings about. I personally think 6th grade on up. (12ish)

There are so many topics that you can discuss from this slim novel. that's why it makes such an amazing literature circle book. Never lacking on diverse opinions on this one!

Not many students get that releasing part. It's rewarding as a teacher to steer kids in the questioning mode and see how they start to zero in on this. to watch the discovery of what this means is learning to dig deep in the text and find meaning and lessons.

I just purchased the eBook and have started reading. Didn't know this was a discussion topic book. Total (happy) coincidence.

Liana wrote: "I just purchased the eBook and have started reading. Didn't know this was a discussion topic book. Total (happy) coincidence."

Yes, you are welcome to comment with your progress. I would like to read the second book soon.

Laura wrote: "Hi, I haven't read it and would like to, partly because I just read the Matched books and noticed a lot of reviewers saying it was a rip off of The Giver..."

Hmm, I don't see that at all.

Kammera wrote: "I think that the idea of freedom to choose is a big topic for young students to ponder..."

Spot on. A key element of becoming an adult is learning to question what you are told, and developing the ability to know when and why you should reject it. I know the YA post-apoc genre is over-saturated, but I do think this is why early teens find it such an appealing genre. Particularly these days when so much information we are fed is obviously bullshit.

I read this book, like a month ago, since I heard amazing things about it. It is a really good book, but I'm not so sure about the movie, though. But I'm still looking forward to it. Are they going to make only The Giver or are they going to make the rest of the books?

I just finished Allegiant and I decided to start The Giver next since I love comparing books to their movies in my own amateur way. I think I can go through 179 pages in two days so thank you for adding this book to your reading list making me aware of it and its upcoming movie :)

Kardelen wrote: "I just finished Allegiant and I decided to start The Giver next since I love comparing books to their movies in my own amateur way. I think I can go through 179 pages in..."


It is a very easy and fast read. You will be able to read in two days. I'm quite sure the movie will be very different. I should make a separate topic the book vs the movie for the people that have seen both. Will post the link later :)

Ellie [The Empress] wrote: "Will post the link later :)"

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

So I just finished the book, and I watched the trailer of the movie on youtube, and well, I can see just from the trailer that they are totally not the same. So I wonder if the movie is not only based on The Giver but also includes Gathering Blue maybe? Does anyone know anything about it?

I don't think they'll include Gathering Blue since the second book is a story set in another world, and doesn't continue with Jonas' story.

The actor playing Jonas is 24, so I think they'll portray him as a 15 year old or something.

It seems the film makers have leaped on the success of Divergent. I think they will enhanced and expand on parts of the story that correlate with Divergent. So they'll be more fireworks and explosions. (view spoiler)[They'll be a darker all knowing mischief when it comes to those in authority. Jonas's burgeoning sexual awareness will become an entire romantic sub-plot. (hide spoiler)] In other words the movie will be a sensationalised version of 'The Giver' which caters to the current teen market, as opposed to the teen market of the nineties ... That's my opinion anyway, but I haven't seen the film - just watched the trailer.

Talitha wrote: "I don't think they'll include Gathering Blue since the second book is a story set in another world, and doesn't continue with Jonas' story.

The actor playing Jonas is 24, so I think they'll portra..."

Well I am halfway through Gathering Blue (view spoiler)[ and I was sad to see that it wasn't about Jonas or his world anymore. (hide spoiler)] So I guess they really went off the book for the movie. We'll see soon.

Read the first 3 so far! i have loved them all. now to read the last book

Hi Jennifer, could you tell me if they're all separate stories, or do they come together in a way?

They sort of come together. Sorry, I am not Jennifer

Well the factions (or whatever you want to call them) never literally come together, but the books definitely do intertwine. The last book really does make all the stories come together.

Almost a year late :(
I have studied this book at school, and enjoyed it very much!
I loved it how the apple looked "Strange" but the characters couldn't understand - how different or strange? Cool!
The ending was very poetic.
I've seen the movie by now - I think, they've ruined all the philosophical and allegoric part of the book :(

I know this thread is dead but I wanted to talk a little bit about it.
It's a really good book. I read it for school and it was a nice experience, considering that most of our school books aren't YA or dystopias.
I just wish it had more description. That's really important for dystopias and I think the book lacked it. Besides that, the beginning is kinda slow. I also didn't read the sequels.