'The Giver'

So, I've just got done reading The Giver by Lois Lowry. It is a must read, seriously, if you haven't read it, please do. It's a story based far in the future, in a time where social differences are no longer a problem. The people are set in a gated community like setting, where there is no color, religion, & even real feelings. The people don't even understand love or family; they don't even think for themselves. In this 'community' sex is not allowed, your parents are not even your real parents. Each family is assigned a mother, father and two siblings. Once a child becomes twelve they're given their career; they practically become adults. The careers are like birthmother, hence no need for sex. To make a long story short this young boy, Jonas, at the age of twelve is given the career of Receiver. His job is to keep the records of the world so far. There is only one in this community so his job is important to the community. As he begins his training with the former receiver he realizes that the world can't see color, has never witnessed snow, rain, or sunshine because of the controlled climate. They don't understand pain nor sadness nor happiness because of the controlled environment they live in. So the two receivers decide to change that, they feel that living life oblivious isn't right. Jonas plans to leave the community because with his departure all the thoughts and feelings he's now acquired of pain, sorrow, happiness, animals, colors, love, music, and so forth will be released into the community. When he departs things truly become hard for him because he feels actual pain from falling, coldness from rain and snow, and hunger because he can't find food. In the end Jonas is close to dying but then the story ends abrubtly, leaving you wanting an explanation of some sort. "Behind him. across vast distances of space and time, from the place he had left, he thought he heard music too. But perhaps it was only an echo." It never said whether he died or not. It could mean that he died at peace knowing that the he changed the world. But it could also mean that he found what he was looking for. But I guess it depends on the perception of the mind. To me it meant he died knowing that he made a difference like he wanted to, so he died accomplished. 
The Giver drew me in because of the what if it possessed , What if we truly felt no pain, saw no color, and had no true troubles? What if that was all we've ever known? Would that make things better or would it be worse? I think knowing what I know about the world now, if it suddenly turned like that, I wouldn't like it. I wouldn't like not having a choice in the things that I do.
If you've read this, thanks and welcome to my blog!!! I would like to know your thoughts on The Giver if you've read it. :)

-If Only . . .