Chapter 7 Group

My group has decided to read and discuss The Giver. It is a science fiction book about a Utopian society that strips the people there of all the beautiful things/events in the world in order to help them avoid any kind of pain. They euthanize people who do not meet their standards. The author poses the question (thematically): What is more valuable, freedom of choice or protection from pain? It really gives the reader a great deal to think about. It is one of my very favorite books (of all time). I usually do not like science fiction all that much as a genre, but this one really breaks the mold for me. I feel like it is very philosophical and even hits on some existentialist themes.