In the world where Jonas lives, there is no great pain, no hunger, no wars. And there are no independent decisions: for each member of the commune, a suitable profession, husband or wife, and even children are chosen. Jonas is worried, because very soon his future occupation will be announced. Who will he become? Will he like the assigned profession? But, as it turns out, the Elders have assigned Jonas a special role. He becomes the next Receiver of Memories. The boy meets an old man who keeps the memory of the real world, and Jonas's life is turned upside down...