Name of a book. Distopian society. Everyone is the same ("gray"). One kid is nominated as a "keeper" of info

Question

A friend told me about this book and I have the sudden urge to find out more about it and don't feel like waiting until I talk to this friend again.

She described it as a world where everyone is the same and jobs are handed out. One kid receives the job of like a "keeper"of information to keep it passed along the generations.

I do not know the the title or the author or anything else. It was short, one word, two max. I believe it started with a 'W'.

We saw the book in a bookstore. On the version that I saw there was a bigger old guy with a long beard in the foreground while the background was black. I believe the title was on the top.

Thanks for the help and I do realize this description probably describes a lot of books.

Answer 1

The book your describing is the Giver by Lois Lowry. It's the first in a series of three. It's a really good story & it's really interesting hearing the story from Jonas's point of view. There are things the people take for granted. It's not until the Giver explains them to him do we realize how much society has changed from what we call normal. Here's an excerpt from her web site http://www.loislowry.com/books.html that gives a description of the books.

Enjoy!

THE GIVER At the age of twelve, Jonas, a young boy from a seemingly utopian, futuristic world, is singled out to receive special training from The Giver, who alone holds the memories of the true joys and pain of life.

GATHERING BLUE In this speculation on the nature of the future of human society, life in Kira's community is nasty, brutish, and, for the ill or disabled, short.

MESSENGER In this novel that unites characters from "The Giver" and "Gathering Blue," Matty, a young member of a utopian community that values honesty, conceals an emerging healing power that he cannot explain or understand.

Answer 2

This actually sounds a lot like The Giver by Lois Something or other. She also wrote Finding Blue, if that helps.
In the giver everyone is exactly the same and they are geneticly engineered. They are given their job assignments when they are 13. The main character is told that he will be the keeper of the memories. "The giver", who is the former keeper, gives him the memories of everything from sailboats, to family, to colors.

Answer 3

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Almost 100% sure.

Answer 4

If that sounds interesting to you, read The Ones Who Walked Away from Omelas - a short story by Ursula Le Guin. You may be able to find it online. Amazing story about a Dystopian society. Or try the Lottery in Babylon by Jorge Luis Borges. That is online too. GREAT stories. True gems. C.

Answer 5

The Giver by Loos Lowry.
It is really cool! The maincharacter was picked to be the next giver. he began to see color, and memories such as boats gliding on water to young men dying side my side during the civil war were passed onto him. I won't tell you any more since the book is amazing, and it hasalways been on my top 5 fav list.
Happy reading!
GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!
K.K.

Answer 6

that is either The Chrysalids by John Wyndham ..or as everyone is suggesting the giver..

I love both books.!! another similar and equally good book is Brave New World