The Giver is a great work of science fiction, not because it's set in the future, but because it envisages how our society could use technology and examines the social and personal implications in a way that helps us understand ourselves better. In this case it looks at the cost of convenience and conformity from the perspective of a young boy coming of age. The ending seems a little abrupt and feels a bit out of kilter with the rest of the story, but its ambiguity lends it poignancy that a more traditional approach is unlikely to achieve. Over all, a great, quick read that packs a startling number of concepts into such a small space. Sadly, I doubt a movie adaptation can do it justice.