Gathering Blue
 |
 second edition cover | |
| Author | Lois Lowry |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Series | The Giver Series |
| Genre | Children's, Dystopian novel |
| Publisher | Houghton Mifflin |
Publication date | 2000 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 215 |
| ISBN | 0-618-05581-9 |
| OCLC | 43728928 |
| [Fic] 21 | |
| LC Class | PZ7.L9673 Gat 2000 |
| Preceded by | The Giver (1993) |
| Followed by | Messenger (2004) |
Gathering Blue is a 2000 children's, social science fiction, dystopian novel by noted children's author Lois Lowry. The book is a companion novel to The Giver (1993), and is followed by Messenger (2004) in The Giver trilogy. It is set in the same future time period, and it treats some of the same themes. The central character, Kira, who has a twisted leg, is orphaned and must learn to survive in a society which normally leaves the weak or disabled exposed to die in the fields. In Gathering Blue, Kira needs a reason for the Council of Edifice to keep her in the village and not take her to the Field (which is certain death at the hands of The Beasts). Kira has a gift for embroidery, and the Council keeps her around to mend and update a beautiful robe that shows the history of their society. In the course of the book, she begins to learn the art of dyeing thread different colors, except for blue, which nobody in her community knows how to make. She also learns more about the truth of her village and the terrible secrets they hold.
Plot
Kira, an orphan with a twisted leg, lives in a world where the weak are cast aside. She fears for her future after her mother dies at the beginning of the book until she is spared by the all-powerful Council of Guardians. Kira is a gifted embroiderer and is assigned a task that no other community member can carry out.Her task is to repair and restore the singer's robe worn by the singer at the yearly gathering. She meets an older dyer Annabell and learns secrets she never knew and becomes friends with a boy named Matt who later lives to be Matty in Messenger. She also meets Thomas and Jo two more artists whose parents have been slain by the Council of Guardians. While her talent keeps her alive and brings certain privileges, Kira soon realizes that she is surrounded by mysteries and secrets. No one must know of her plans to uncover the truth about her world—and to find out what exists beyond it. At the end of the book, Matt returns from the forest with Kira's father, who had been blinded and tossed in the field by Jameison. Kira now has a choice to face should she return to Village with Matt or stay.
External links
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