Starting the discussion

[paul]

So I guess I'd like to start this disucssion by finding out who has read the book and who plans to read the book.

If you have read it or plan to read it, go ahead and respond to this thread, so we can get an idea of who is planning on participating in this discussion.

Happy Reading!

-Paul

[christina]

I read it this summer, but I will reread it again. It will be interesting to see how it is on a second read.

[Jo]

I am going to read it. I'll start today. I wanted to reread The Giver really quick first (which I did).
Joanna

[Bex]

I just read The Giver and Gathering Blue and last night started to read messenger.

I really enjoyed reading all three books. They are all easy reads but quite enjoyable. I think there are good messages for "humanity" to read.

I believe that "blue" is more than just a color. I can't quite put my finger on it but it has something to do with love or purity or beauty.

I completely missed the part where the blue eyed boy is spoken of at the end of the book and had to have it pointed out to me.

I was sad when the story ended because I wanted to know what happened to Matty and Kira and why Kira chose not to go with her father but stay in the village where she grew up. Hopefully Messenger will answer those questions.

I guess I've also been so used to reading books where all the loose ends are wrapped up. I don't like having to figure it out on my own and use my brain.

There's got to be something to the detail of the stitches and wood carvings.

I think maybe I should re-read the book. Maybe I sped through it and didn't catch all the innuendos.

I really enjoyed it though and can't wait to finish Messenger. Lois is an excellent writer and I'm looking forward to reading some of her other books.

Anyone else read Gathering Blue yet???

[paul]

I've been a lousy discussion leader on this book. It has been a crazy month around here.

I read the book a couple of months ago, but I wanted to re-read it before I discussed it in too great of detail here. But I guess if I wait for that, we'll be discussing A Christmas Carol...

I thought that Gathering Blue was an interesting book. I think the first book, The Giver was the best book in the series, and I think this was a close second (with the third book a distant third).

I rate this book lower than The Giver because I thought that The Giver has higher literary value, and was higher quality writing. However, Gathering Blue is intersting to me when it is contrasted with The Giver. The stories seem to have similar overall themes, but get to them from opposite directions.

In both books you have a description of an extreme society. On one hand you have an extremely utopian society, and on the other an extremely "backward" society (if that is the right word). In both books you have a young main character that has been set apart from the rest of the society, and has been given a specific mission to perform. Both books deal with emotions. In one you have the extreme lack of emotions, and in the other you have an overabundance of emotion. In the end, I think that the take-home message from both books is similar.

I'd be interested in hearing what other people thought before I say too much more...

[Bex]

Wow Paul, great insights. I'm learning to evaluate a book instead of just reading it for entertainment.

I appreciate your thoughts and comments. I can definitely see where you're coming from. Thank you.

Bex

[christina]

I believe that "blue" is more than just a color. I can't quite put my finger on it but it has something to do with love or purity or beauty.

I am intrigued by this idea. I assumed that blue was peace: something rare, usually something seen in the past.

But I liked the idea that blue represented something which enriches everything else when present. Love? Family? Other ideas?

[christina]

I rate this book lower than The Giver because I thought that The Giver has higher literary value, and was higher quality writing. However, Gathering Blue is intersting to me when it is contrasted with The Giver. The stories seem to have similar overall themes, but get to them from opposite directions.

I completely agree with the rating. I thought The Giver was a much better book. But I did like Gathering Blue for it's contrast.

So what is the message? That moderation is the answer? Somehow there has got to be more to it than that the extremes are bad. What is the theme?