Dystopian · Young adult
The Giver
Bestseller: about 12 million copies (estimate)In a seemingly perfect community where everything is controlled, twelve-year-old Jonas is chosen to carry the society's memories of the past from an old man, and begins to see what has been given up.
Facts last checked 2026-10-16
- First published
- 1993
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Short
- Pages
- 205
- Format
- Book 1 of 4 in The Giver
Read this if you want a short, thought-provoking dystopia that works well for younger or newer readers.
Skip this if you want detailed worldbuilding or an action-heavy ending; the story is quiet and ambiguous.
The feel
Content warnings
Also reported by Hardcover readers:
Quick answers about The Giver
- What is The Giver about?
- In a seemingly perfect community where everything is controlled, twelve-year-old Jonas is chosen to carry the society's memories of the past from an old man, and begins to see what has been given up.
- Who should read The Giver?
- Read it if you want a short, thought-provoking dystopia that works well for younger or newer readers. Skip it if you want detailed worldbuilding or an action-heavy ending; the story is quiet and ambiguous.
- How long and how fast is The Giver?
- It is a medium-paced, short read of about 205 pages, first published in 1993.
- Does The Giver have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Death, Child death.
- Can I borrow The Giver for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends The Giver; the borrow button above searches it for you.
- What should I read after The Giver?
- Readers who liked it often move on to Fahrenheit 451, Never Let Me Go, The Hunger Games.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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