This book had an impact on me even though I hadn't read it. My son read it in class and talked about the book with me just enough for me to see how a person could do great evil, and think they were doing great good, by trying to eliminate all the causes of cultural and racial clashes. It reminded me of the history here in North America, of forcing native children away from their parents and into schools where they were punished for everything that made them part of their culture, and forced to learn the language and wear the clothing of the dominant culture. I wrote my Villain in my novel, Duffy Barkley is not a Dog, to be Smelter, a man who hated war and tried to bring peace by eliminating differences by force. Then I moved on to write other books and forgot the Giver until we were at a friend's home. The daughter had stage managed a college production of the Giver and Lois Lowrey had attended. We decided to rent the movie and watch it. From there I realized I still hadn't read this book. So I found an old used paperback and bought it, but it had crumbly, old paste holding in a book plate. When I loosened the paper and peeled it out, I was startled to realize it was autographed by the author. Not bad for a quarter.
That was a fun little discovery! It does sound like a very meaningful book. I find there is a lot of joy in learning about different cultures- and it's surprising when you discover the similarities too! Happy reading!
@olivetreeann@mittens@alia_801 it isn't as much that it is about how aboriginals were treated as that it is that concept taken to the extreme, a futuristic world where no one remembers differences, weather, hills, colors have all been flattened out and only the receiver of memories keeps the memories in case they need that knowledge in an emergency.
