Gathering Blue
Reader's Review The second book in The Giver quartet - this one also takes place in the future after a catastrophic event. Whereas in the first book, society was lacking emotion, pain and any ...
Reader’s Review
The second book in The Giver quartet – this one also takes place in the future after a catastrophic event. Whereas in the first book, society was lacking emotion, pain and any conflict, this one is the complete opposite – a barbaric society full of violence, jealousy, brutality, filth and pain. The message however is one of hope, sacrifice and the power of a young person to change th future of society for the better. Note that the story is quite dark at parts, and the loss of the main character’s parents is distressing to read.
To look out for
- Islamic Values: Parents are very cruel to their children. Mothers slap and throw stones at their children. Husbands and wives quarrel often.
- Violence: The book begins with Kira at the graveside of her mother. She mourns the loss of her only family member. The burial is described in graphic detail. Their house is burned down. Violent women try to keep her from her home, threatening to kill her. Later Kira learns her father was stabbed, blinded and left to die. His wounds are described. Men fight violently. Disabled or unwanted people are left in the fields to be eaten by beasts.
