Gathering Blue

I have always loved to read, but after becoming a mother, working in a very demanding profession that requires extended deployments each year, and working towards my master's degree at night, I found myself failing to devote much of my very little free time to reading. Last year, I decided to change that and sought to find recommended series that would draw me in with great characters, a fascinating story line, and intriguing implications about real life. My favorite series of all time has been the Ender's Quartet and I also really enjoyed other Young Adult (YA), Apocalyptic, Utopian,or Futuristic series like the Hunger Games. In all of my searches and the many "Top 10/Top 100" lists that I came across, The Giver Quartet was among the top choices for both teenagers and adults. Before I get into some of the more detailed review (and potentially spoilers), if you only want to know the basics, here it is: The book Gathering Blue follows The Giver very well. It is an easy to read book, as is the entire series, and if you are an avid reader like me, you could finish the entire series within a weekend. Gathering Blue, which appears to lead the reader into a completely different world from The Giver, ends with a twist that ties the two books and the series together. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the plot and would highly recommend this for anyone looking to find a series worth spending time on. Now, for more detail. Like many others who have read Gathering Blue, I consider The Giver one of the truly great books that everyone should read. I had read George Orwell's 1984 in the past, but found that The Giver was an even more powerful story. Gathering Blue does not have quite the impact on the reader as The Giver, but I think part of that may be due simply to the fact that it is in the shadow of The Giver and not read as a a separate story. If this were read on it's own, I think it might be even more highly thought of. That being said, it is difficult to review this book without comparing it to The Giver. The society outlined at the beginning of the book does not appear to be living in such a compelling state of deprivation as what was introduced in The Giver. Kira, the lead character, is endearing as a tough heroine facing an unsympathetic world. She can be related to and she is likeable. The futuristic world that Lois Lowry describes is not unrealistic and does not require the reader to understand a completely foreign world. It could very easily be a version of our own world in the future. For readers who have enjoyed Game of Thrones, Ender's Game, or Dune, this world does not rely heavily upon sci-fi or fantasy ideas. It feels familiar and real, enabling the reader to be transported easily into this brutish and complex survivalist world. Where the Giver was more futuristic, this world in Gathering Blue appears to be more primal. What I like about this world and this story is that it does feel very much like one of many versions of our own earth's future. Kira lives in a community that does not accept her due to her disability, despite her special talent for embroidery. After suffering through tragedy and being forced to face a challenge for her property, Kira is brought into a world that she had no idea existed. I enjoyed that Lowry tied in our own world so well to the book, to include what Kira describes as the song and images which tell the "story of mankind". The story was enjoyable, easy to follow, and draws the reader in. Yet, the favorite part about this book is that it is tied to The Giver at the very end. I won't spoil that ending for you, but I will reassure readers that this book provides an intriguing and heartfelt story that leads right into the third book (Messenger). If you enjoyed The Giver, definitely don't miss out on the rest of the series.

Gathering Blue, the second in the Giver quartet by Lois Lowry, follows the story of Kira, an orphaned girl. In a world where physical differences are shunned and the bearers cast out, Kira finds herself alone and vulnerable when her mother suddenly dies. As her only protector, Kira’s mother valiantly fought for the disabled girl’s right to exist in such a harsh community. Without her, Kira has become a target of certain villagers looking to claim the land where her home once sat, even if it means expelling her from the community. After being called into a hearing with the Council of Guardians to determine her fate, Kira is pleased to learn that her life will be spared due to her special talent. Under the watchful eyes of the Guardians, Kira undertakes the daunting task set before her by the Elders, and in doing so discovers things about herself and her community that she never would have imagined possible. While this is the second book in the Giver quartet, I find if only fair to note that there aren’t any characters from the original novel in this book. Set in the same dystopian future Earth, Kira’s village is less advanced and the residents have life harsher. Where the Giver had an almost futuristic feel to it, through their advancements and gadgets, Gathering Blue has a very medieval feel, where all but the most privileged of residents reside in clay and thatch “cotts” with little to no food. I ended up reading this as part of a Summer reading challenge with my 10-year-old and I honestly can say that I don’t think I ever would have read it otherwise. But now that I have read it, I want to read the remaining two books to see where this all goes. With both Gathering Blue and The Giver, Lois Lowry has created a fictional dystopia that has a hint of real life and modern prejudices and thoughts woven in. No, modern day America does not cast out the infirm, disabled or elderly; but we do have a way of treating them as less of a person unless they have something that we want or a knowledge that we can use. Gathering Blue brings that issue to the forefront in such a way that will cause the reader to think about Kira’s situation and hopefully be kinder to those around them.

Love this set of books from The Giver. They are very interesting and exciting to read. Very hard to put down. My 12 year old grandson had The Giver assigned for school and finished it right away and the finished the 4th book Son in no time. He did know there was a certain order to read them in so I suggest you read The Giver first, then, Gathering Blue, thirdly read Messenger, and lastly Son all by Lois Lowry. The blue Super Summary Study Guide I think is the best study guide to go along with each book. Helps a lot with clarity. Not everyone needs this extra study guide but I found it helpful. At first I thought it was not appropriate for 6th grade and would be better for 7th grade and up but I was wrong, 6th graders are a good place to start with these books.

Gathering Blue follows Kira, an orphaned girl with a physical disability, as she uncovers dark secrets in her rigid, future society. ​ The book blends mystery and social critique, inviting readers to think about community, creativity, and the value of compassion.

Avaliação do objeto: chegou em perfeito estado físico. É exatamente o livro descrito e apresentado nas imagens.

This is a lovely book, it only hints that it's set in the same world as The Giver. I figured by the end that somehow the world at that time is divided into communities, and this is another one. This one is in fact crueler than the society in The Giver. But more straightforward. So being ill or disabled means being left out in a field to die. However some children have gifts, similar to Jonas in The Giver, and those children are removed and looked after to exploit their gifts for the community. Girls and women are oppressed and not allowed an education. There are some great characters in this, Kira, the main character is very interesting and engaging, and I adored Matt, the naughty little boy with the little dog, and there is a very cute little girl who sings. Highly recommend this book.

Wow, was für eine Geschichte, obschon ich nicht ganz verstehe, warum das der 2. Teil der Giver-Trilogie (oder besser Tetralogie) sein soll, denn die Bücher können unabhängig voneinander gelesen werden. Die Story ist sehr spannend, geht einem nahe, ich konnte es kaum weglegen. Den Schluss konnte ich nicht vollständig nachvollziehen, deshalb 4.7 Sterne, aber eine wirklich starke Geschichte. Mehr davon!

This may be aimed at YA but truely it is for all ages. It is thought provoking and the writing is just beautiful to read. The world that Lois Lowry creates is one of true brilliance.