Gathering Blue
Second edition cover
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| Author | Lois Lowry |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Giver Quartet |
| Genre | Young adult fiction |
| Publisher | Houghton Mifflin |
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Publication date
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2000 |
| Media type | Print (hardback & paperback) |
| Pages | 215 |
| ISBN | |
| OCLC | 43728928 |
| [Fic] 21 | |
| LC Class | PZ7.L9673 Gat 2000 |
| Preceded by | The Giver |
| Followed by | Messenger |
Gathering Blue is a young adult-social science novel, written by Lois Lowry and released in the year 2000. It is a companion book to The Giver (1993) being set in the same future time period and universe, treating some of the same themes, and is followed by Messenger (2004), and Son (2012) in The Giver Quartet.
The central character, Kira, who has a deformed leg, is orphaned and must learn to survive in a society that normally leaves the weak or disabled exposed to die in the fields. 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.
The central character, Kira, who has a deformed leg, is recently orphaned (her mother abruptly dying from unknown sickness, and her father years past dying while on a hunt with the Hunters, being killed by The Beasts) and must learn to survive in a society that normally leaves the weak or disabled exposed to die in the fields.
In Gathering Blue, Kira needs a reason for the Council to keep her in the village and not take her to the Field (which is certain death at the hands of The Beasts). A member of the Council named Jamison defends Kira during the trial, much to Kira's surprise. He convinces the Council that Kira has a gift for embroidery. She is found worthy of life in their society in the trial and is asked with the task of repairing the singers robe.
She is taught how to further solidify this talent from a much older woman named Annabella. Annabella continues to teach Kira how to create dyes for different shades and hues for her threadwork. To Kira's dismay, she learns that there is no ability to create the color blue for the threads she will be using. Eventually, to Kira's surprise, Annabella tells her that with her own years and knowledge, she knows much of the society's history, even going so far as to say that there really are no Beasts, as the society teaches. Kira doesn't know what to think of this, nor what Annabella really means by it.
Along the way, she becomes closer friends with a younger boy named Matt, and also makes a new friend in her neighborhood at her new home: Thomas. Thomas is a boy around Kira's age, who is also an orphan. Thomas has lived there since he was very young, because of his abilities. It is learned that he is the woodworker who maintains and improves the Singer's staff, which in turn helps the Singer remember the history of the society as he sings the lengthy song. Together they help each other bring out the best in their talents, preparing for The Gathering. Jamison, the Guardian who fought for her life in the trial, becomes somewhat of a mentor in her new home. He is kind and instructive, yet also very kind but stern.
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