Book Log: The Giver Quartet

The Giver

Gathering Blue

Messenger

Son

By: Lois Lowry

FIVE out of FIVE stars

my thoughts:

I actually read The Giver in elementary school. It was one of those books that sort of blew my mind. So when I saw it on the shelf within a quartet, I HAD TO READ them all. 

In the series you are taken from one extreme world to the next. In 'The Giver', everything is perfect. You have no need to be 'self' because you have a path and plan set out for you already. You don't even have to pick a career  In 'Gathering Blue', you must fight to stay alive. Any physical limitations assuredly means death. In 'Messenger' you come to a world where you can make choices. These worlds all collide, not literally. When a vessel from 'The Giver' is washed up in another world she starts to have feelings something that was never allowed before. The vessel or Water Claire in 'Son' remembers what her career that was chosen for her was she goes in search but finds she much make a trade. Something that will impact her journey.

In all the books Lowry tries to leave all possibilities open. In the final book, 'Son', everything is written out for you. It's not hard to make that transition because we have been waiting for answers. It is a little different to be handed them though.

All four of the books were great reads. There is an underlying theme of 'you think the world would be a better place if...' but then you get to see it played out. The realization that there is a cost to every decision that is made. Lowry has created a plot of constant good vs evil. 

the run down:

The Giver:
Jonas's world is perfect. Everything is under control. There is no war or fear or pain. There are no choices. Every person is assigned a role in the Community. When Jonas turns twelve, he is singled out to receive special training from The Giver. The Giver alone holds the memories of the true pain and pleasure of life. Now, it is time for Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back.

Gathering Blue:
In her strongest work to date, Lois Lowry once again creates a mysterious but plausible future world. It is a society ruled by savagery and deceit that shuns and discards the weak. Left orphaned and physically flawed, young Kira faces a frightening, uncertain future. Blessed with an almost magical talent that keeps her alive, she struggles with ever broadening responsibilities in her quest for truth, discovering things that will change her life forever.

Messenger:
For the past six years, Matty has lived in Village and flourished under the guidance of Seer, a blind man, known for his special sight. Village was a place that welcomed newcomers, but something sinister has seeped into Village and the people have voted to close it to outsiders. Matty has been invaluable as a messenger. Now he must make one last journey through the treacherous forest with his only weapon, a power he unexpectedly discovers within himself.

Son:
They called her Water Claire. When she washed up on their shore, no one knew that she came from a society where emotions and colors didn’t exist. That she had become a Vessel at age thirteen. That she had carried a Product at age fourteen. That it had been stolen from her body. Claire had a son. But what became of him she never knew. What was his name? Was he even alive?　 She was supposed to forget him, but that was impossible. Now Claire will stop at nothing to find her child, even if it means making an unimaginable sacrifice.
Son thrusts readers once again into the chilling world of the Newbery Medal winning book, The Giver, as well as Gathering Blue and Messenger where a new hero emerges. In this thrilling series finale, the startling and long-awaited conclusion to Lois Lowry’s epic tale culminates in a final clash between good and evil.