Have you ever read the book "The Giver" by Lois Lowry?

Question

Has anyone read the entire trilogy? What are your thoughts?

Answer 1

Yes, I've read the trilogy. I don't know that it was her intention intially to write companion books to The Giver. I stumbled on Gathering Blue. It was very interesting and I could picture so much of daily life in the village and feel much of what the main character was going through. Touching and had a few twists - introduced us to some great characters. By this time I knew there was another book (or going to be), so I thought we'd learn more about the robe, the singer and the carver. But messenger moved to another village.

Emotionally, I bought into the third book more. It was my favorite, though I would have to agree there are still unanswered questions. When I find a series or characters I enjoy, I want some history. I wanted to know more about the leader, the trader and the other villages. Symbolism played an important part and I sort of knew what was going on, but I was still asking why.

I read a book that reminds me of this type: The Green Angel, by Alice Hoffman. I would love to see that as part of a series. Talk about imagery...

I ordered Scott Westerfeld's trilogy, as I like this genre - sort of Science Fiction.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

I didn't know The Giver was part of a trilogy (but I have read that book), so I'll have to look into that. But I think if you like The Giver, I would recommend:

Anthem by Ayn Rand
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
and maybe A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

All of them are dystopic novels, or A Wrinkle in Time is for the last half anyways. In school a few years ago I read Anthem and The Giver and we had this big project with both. They're very similar but still unique. I'd definitely recommend Anthem.

Answer 4

I read the entire trilogy. I liked The Giver and Gathering Blue, although I didn't know at teh time they were part of a series. In my opinion, The Messenger was just not as good. It was interesting and it was a good book, but it did not have the same magic that the first 2 books did. It was a little disappionting.
I really did love the first 2 though and you should really read them if you haven't. They are amazing books that really make you think. (they are also excellent for book reports, just the right length and not too complicated!)

Answer 5

I have read it, and I liked it very much. I also like Gathering Blue. Lowry is a good writer, who consistently writes thought-provoking books. I think this genre, young adult science fiction-lite, is what she does best. I will read anything she writes.

If you like The Giver, I would recommend:
Gathering Blue by Lowry
Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix
The Ear, The Eye, and The Arm by Nancy Farmer
Eva by Peter Dickinson
Evan's Voice by Sallie Lowenstein
The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen
The City of Ember by Jeanne Duprau

Cheers.

Answer 6

yes, it was very interesting, the down sides of a real utopia. It was horrible that they kill twins and old people at a certain age. That they dont allow natural thoughts, and cant even see color! and also they never seen any real animals before! Its terrible, and only certain "birth mothers" can give birth! Any woman should have the right to choose! Plus they make fun of the birth mothers. ITs so unreal, i read it a few years ago i was still young and boy did that make the younger version of me think! Wow, I certainly enjoy democracy and all the freedom we have after reading that!

Answer 7

I loved the first one, "Gathering Blue" could have been more explained, and "Messenger" was awesome, but they needed to answer some unanswered questions from "Gathering Blue" in it. I felt like parts were missing, like it wasn't complete. Other than that, it is one of my favorite trilogies.

Answer 8

I have read it at school, and I was unimpressed. The quality of the writing is mediocre.
I found it pretty bland, but it's a good starting point to introduce children to other utopia-themed books.