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I read someone else's review that made a good point: in The Giver , we are connected to the community because Jonas is. Because we are invested in how great it is, we feel real disquiet and betrayal at the truths behind the community. Since Kira is an outcast and has always been treated poorly, we don't really feel any pain at the loss of what we thought was home. It was still a good book. I kept at it, eager to know what would happen in the end.
And I will eventually want to read The Messenger. But I'm not in any hurry. I would have given this book 2. View all 4 comments.
There are similarities, though. Both stories explore themes of physical and emotional pain, individual worth, communal memory, and the role of the governing body of a community -- all, amazingly through the eyes and experiences of children. I really love the main characters, Kira, Thomas, Matt, and Jo. I even feel fond of Matt's resilient dog, Branch. In the midst of the violence and anxiety of their dystopian village, the children remain incredibly calm and reliable; intelligent and thoughtful; gentle, sensitive, and loving.
They seem too "perfect" to be real children but nonetheless each day I looked forward to escaping to their world and hearing of their adventures.
I was deeply moved by the vivid descriptions of surroundings and events, both beautiful and horrible, apparently a trademark of author Lois Lowry. Like The Giver , Gathering Blue has strong spiritual overtones. I was astounded by the symbolism which is woven into the story, much as Kira weaves her colourful threads into the fabric of the community's sacred robe. Kira is a girl with a challenge and a gift, and throughout the story there is a sense of divine presence and purpose in her life.
Although this book has been on my virtual "to-read" shelf ever since I read The Giver a couple of years ago, I am glad that I did not rush to read it sooner. It has come to me following a long fallow time, a trudge through a spiritual wilderness, like blue sky after a storm or cool water on a hot day. Its loving tones, its rich symbolism, and its hope for the future in Kira's world have begun to revitalize me and once again, as often happens during the time of Epiphany, when the days have begun to lengthen, I feel confident that the Inner Light will also return.
View all 6 comments. This started out okay, but I lost interest as it went on. The storyline was about Kira being at risk of being thrown out of the village where she lived after her mother died, and her life thereafter.
There were a lot of plot-points that were entirely too obvious and the slow pace in the secon This started out okay, but I lost interest as it went on.
There were a lot of plot-points that were entirely too obvious and the slow pace in the second half killed this book for me. The ending was okay, although it was clear that the story would be continued. View 1 comment. May 23, Spider the Doof Warrior rated it liked it. The problem with this book is it doesn't seem like it's the same world as The Giver. They had pills that suppressed feelings and passion.
There were no mammals and birds allowed! But the world in this book is gritty and dirty. Parents smack their kids. Men hunt with spears. Women can't read, it's sexist and horrible. Everyone has to punch each other and beat each other up for the slightest thing. T The problem with this book is it doesn't seem like it's the same world as The Giver. They live in mud huts and put children in chicken pens. Despite the fact that her world is dirty and gritty, the stakes just aren't as high for her as they are for Jonas.
She lives in a cushy place with hot water where Jonas was running away from a place of comfort to the unknown.
I don't see how she and Thomas are going to change things, but at least they're safe? Also, I really don't find it believable that Jonas and her marry in the 4th book. Marrying Thomas makes a bit more sense. Some names don't need four syllables. Really, the Giver is better than this book. Also, did M Night rip off this book for the Village? Sep 22, Merphy Napier added it Shelves: five-stars , dystopian.
It aloud me to fully enjoy this new story. Gathering Blue was atmospheric and moving just like The Giver, and while I did enjoy book 1 more, I still highly recommend this one too! After the magnificent The Giver , this was definitely a disappointment! Tenth book read for Reading Challenge 's 25k Readathon. Nov 25, Terris rated it really liked it.
I really enjoyed this Book 2 of The Giver series. It has a little mystery, drama, and sweetness all put together in this one book. And it has enough of a secret at the end that it leaves the reader wanting to get to the next book Messenger to see what happens! Can't wait! Sep 02, Jennifer rated it liked it Shelves: young-adult-genre , dystopia , finished-series , listened-to-audiobook , read I was pretty confused going into this book as I just assumed the story would be picking back up at the point where The Giver ended.
But Gathering Blue is a different story with different characters. But it features a much calmer world than what I've become accustomed in the dystopian genre. It's not bad at all, just different. This story taught me that dreams of darkened alternate futures don't alw Gathering Blue is the second installment in author Lois Lowry 's The Giver Quartet.
This story taught me that dreams of darkened alternate futures don't always have to be filled with dehumanizing technological advancements, man-made disasters, or class-based revolutions My favorite quote: "Take pride in your pain," her mother had always told her.
I try to express only my most honest opinion in a spoiler-free way. Unfortunately, there is still always a risk of slight spoilers despite my best efforts. If you feel something in my review is a spoiler please let me know. Thank you. This book was really pretty good. I was surprised cause it was given a lower rating than The Giver and also many reviews were saying that it wasn't as good, but I thought it was great.
It had a different setting than the first book, but a lot of the underlying issue I try to express only my most honest opinion in a spoiler-free way.
It had a different setting than the first book, but a lot of the underlying issues are still there but in a different form. Where the first book was more futuristic and everything pleasant, this book was more barbaric. And the way they treat the children was just horrible. That was the hardest part of the book to read. I'm curious as to how the next book will go.
I'm hoping it will be another different sort of setting as its interesting to see how the different worlds can go. Although this one didn't explain why it was that way, maybe that's cause it didn't need much of an explanation. Oct 09, Kaora rated it liked it. A quick read, that is a little confusing as it didn't seem to relate to the first book in the series.
Kira has just lost her mother and the only thing standing between her and the cruel women of the village. She is crippled, and in their eyes she is just another mouth to feed.
One that contributes nothing. But she does have one skill, one that may save her life. This world is very different from the one I entered with the first book in the series.
People are dirty. They fight for food, keep their A quick read, that is a little confusing as it didn't seem to relate to the first book in the series. They fight for food, keep their toddlers in pens with the fowl and live in huts. It was not what I was expecting at all. The treatment of kids in this book was sad for me.
People in the town were selfish, and got what they wanted even at the expense of their children. The slapping and kicking was also shocking to me. However, I enjoyed the main character, Kira. Despite her naivety I really liked seeing through her eyes. I'm intrigued to see what happens to her, and how these worlds combine.
View all 8 comments. We get to experience another enclave in this mysterious world, created in the first book of the series; The Giver.
Another settlement of higher council stiffs, lording over those less fortunate. When special gifts are displayed, those gifted are chosen stolen to serve; and everything and everyone around them is expendable. A few twists in the story, but the ending was not satisfactory. Why choose that route?? Why not peace?? I am not saying th 4 Stars Well, I must say this was pretty good. I am not saying the ending was as heart-breaking as The Giver, but not sure if it will work. Not under the circumstances dealt.
View all 3 comments. There she meets Thomas and little Jo, who have too incredible talents. But plot speaking, it lost me a little from its middle till the end. The finale too was very predictable and nothing too exciting happened throughout our story. The setting and idea got immediately my attention but unfortunately it faded while continuing with the read.
Sep 17, Aredhel rated it really liked it Shelves: audiobooks , read-in , dystopia , young-adult. Presenting a new kind of a dystopian society, it introduces the reader to a new kind of a society: it's not as progressive and sophisticated as those ones described in many dystopian books. In this book Lois Lowry strayed off the beaten path and it made the book even more interesting to read. It was artistically written - really, not only dealt the narration with artistic issues throughout the bo "Gathering Blue" is a refreshing dystopian novel with an engrossing plot and well-rounded characters.
It was artistically written - really, not only dealt the narration with artistic issues throughout the book, but it itself had outstanding artistic power over the reader.
It's not as great as "The Giver" which is the first part of the trilogy , but good nonetheless. A little bit weaker, but still very enjoyable. It was interesting, but didn't hold my attention much, especially compared to The Giver.
To be completely honest, it felt like half a book, and the first half only. It was unresolved and, to use a pun in line with the subject matter, had several loose threads.
Besides that, Kira was rather boring as a protagonist. Even when she learned horrible things about her world, she remained content to stay and be a part of the system.
I loved Matt and Thomas though. In Gathering Blue , she intricately weaves a society wrought with poverty, where savagery, greed, and deceit prevail, and the weak are mercilessly shunned and discarded. Kira, born physically flawed, is destined for abandonment in the Field of Leaving.
By the fierce protection and love of her mother, she marginally escapes this heartless custom. Seemingly kind, the Guardians remove her from her rundown home to live under their protection at the Council Edifice, where she is expected to use her skills to do their bidding. Separated from her home with only the mysterious Guardian Jamison for supervision, Kira's loneliness is abated when friendships blossom with the other artists in residence.
Thomas, a young carver who works on the intricate symbols engraved on the Singer's staff, and Jo, a three-year girl with the voice of an angel being trained as the next Singer. But, she lacks the knowledge to create the missing color blue. With the help of a mischievous boy named Matt and his little companion dog Branch, Kira at last finds the plant that will allow her to create the blue dye.
And with this knowledge, she also discovers a far greater secret about her family, the forbidden truth at the heart of the Ruin Song, and the courage to transform the future in her art and creativity. Feb 13, H rated it it was ok Shelves: middle-grade. Is it just me, or is this book missing an ending? I understand cliffhangers and I understand open endings, but this books ends without anything being resolved whatsoever.
In this, I have no idea how anything is fixed or changed. It lists all the problems and stacks them up nicely, but there's no continuing step. It's easy enough to imagine up change for that place, since it is so orderly and peaceful and the people are so passive. But this is a community of violence, oppression, and cruelty. That Kira discovers some deep dark secrets and resolves to make things better, and leaving it at that, doesn't cut it, not for me. It's too unbelievable, considering the lack of respect she commands from pretty much everyone but Thomas and Matt.
Why would people who leave their neighbors and children to die in the Field, and want to leave her there to die already, and who have a history of killing anyone that gets in their way, listen to anything she has to say or even care?
That, I can't figure my way around. It just feels like lazy writing, which is not what I think of when I think of Lowry's books. Maybe there's some deeper meaning or hints or something, but I didn't see it. Dec 10, When looking at it separate, it is a 4 star book. Well written, well established, and brings you into this world that is different, thinks different and comes to different conclusions than you are used to As a book two in a quartet, I am hellish confused I hope it will be explained in the books to come but right now I am just confused Dystopian YA book where a girl is sewing a robe for a big event in her village.
Fantasy, futuristic book. Pages : Carton Quantity : Age s : 12,13,14,15, Grade s : Her mother had been dead now for four days, and Kira could tell that the last of the spirit was drifting away. She thought that she could feel its leavetaking, the way one could feel a small whisper of breeze at night.
This had been her mother, the warm and vital woman whose name had been Katrina. Then after the brief and unexpected sickness, it had become the body of Katrina, still containing the lingering spirit. After four sunsets and sunrises, the spirit too was gone. It was simply a body. Diggers would come and sprinkle a layer of soil over the flesh, but even so it would be eaten by the clawing, hungry creatures that came at night.
Then the bones would scatter, rot, and crumble to become part of the earth.
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