The Gift Moves

by Steve Lyon

The first time Bird Speaks saw Path Down the Moun-tain, he was taken. In her he saw an intensity and passion for her work for which he could only hope. She is a Hand, a weaver of brilliantly colored cloth, and it is Path’s talent with the cloth that has brought her to the Banks, the small town where Bird and his family live. She has come to study under the vigilant eye of her teacher, Heron, one of the best weavers in the land. It is the busiest time of the year for the weavers, who must weave and dye many hundreds of yards of cloth for the Midsummer Day festival, only weeks away. On Midsummer Day the year turns. It is the day you take everything you have and throw it in a huge fire so that you will be empty, ready to be filled by the new year. But Path does not want to empty herself. She hoards a gift that she will not give. It is a secret, a story from her past. As Bird pursues a friendship with Path, she begins to realize that giving the gift of her name and her story might ultimately bring her more than she ever thought possible.

Genres: Juvenile

230 pages, Hardcover

First published April 22, 2004

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly extraordinary science fiction that focuses on people and their motives, not cool tech (though, if you look, there's plenty of that). It's set in the Southeastern U.S. in the far future, at a time when buses are made of termite colonies and batteries grow on trees. In this world, much that is true and beautiful has been lost (for example, young Path Down the Mountain, one of the two protagonists, has no idea what a "chapel" is). But much has also been retained. And people are people, with the same needs for love and meaning that they have always had.

As the book begins, Path is leaving Boon, the sheep herding settlement where she has grown up, to travel to the Banks (the Outer Banks). There, she is destined to serve as a weaver's Hand to Heron, a great artist in cloth - and a very difficult, intense woman. What happens in the month between Path's arrival on the Banks and the midsummer festival will change her life utterly - and not hers alone.

I am blogging about this book right now; it's one of a group of SF and fantasy novels that should be better known than they are. Wise, thoughtful, often beautiful in its language and true to the thoughts and feelings of its two young protagonists, it was worth reading and rereading. Not everyone will love it, but this book would be a gift in itself to the right reader.

(One small caveat: Lyon doesn't go out of his way, as Le Guin does, to present a truly multi-ethnic, multicultural future. Several of his characters are obviously white. But I imagine Path herself as being mixed race, and there's no reason many of the other characters couldn't be, as well.)

[Fionnuala · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

I liked this one; I thought it was sweet and whimsical, and there were a few moments that had me tearing up a little. I do judge books for younger readers based on what I would have liked as a child myself, though (it's only fair -- I don't see the point in judging a children's book by adult standards) and that's why it's sitting at around average. There were no major problems in the book itself, but as a child I probably wouldn't have gone in for it. I actually think I probably appreciate it more as an adult than I would have as a child, because as a child I didn't really go in for softer things. While this book has explores some heavy subjects (mainly child abandonment) I would have probably found it a little too sweet for my liking back then, which sounds strange but I still had a lot of my own issues to work through at that age and I would have probably felt slightly alienated by the relatively happy ending.

Speaking as an adult, though, I did enjoy it and I thought it was quite sweet. Some of the worldbuilding grated on me a little because it was too vague or it was just something I couldn't quite visualise, and while I understand the whole thing with what Heron did at the end I haven't really forgiven her for what she said and did, even if it was for the greater good or what have you. I think that lessened some of the impact of the end for me -- again, I'm not soft enough for this kind of conclusion 😂 It was a fun read, though, and I really was taken by the characters and I especially liked Path and Bird, and I really did enjoy their concept of the Years and how that played into their lives. It was a very interesting take on things.

It was definitely a nice choice for the current time period, where everything sucks quite a lot and touching stories like this are desperately needed.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author: Steve Lyon
Publisher: Laurel Leaf
Date of Publication: 2006
Genre: Fitction

Spring is here and summer solstice is fast approaching. Path down the Mountain is to apprentice with Heron, the renouned weaver. Though Heron is astounding at her craft, she is strict and sharp of tounge. When Path meets Bird Speaks, the bakers boy, will Heron's punishments be enough to keep them apart? Will Path confide her twisted past to the infatuated Bird? Set in a world that is quite unlike ours, but with a farmilliar history, a fasanating story unfolds.
The main characters in this story are Path Down the Mountain and Bird Speaks. Both of them are protagonists. Path is determined to always do her best and never get shown up, but is haunted by ghosts of her past. Distracted by her memories, she needs something to hold onto. What will it be? On the other hand, Bird is actualized, young and itching to get out into the world and broaden his horizons, Bird is unsatisfied in the stuffy bakery that his family owns. Uncertain, but eager to do good, Bird searches for a way to get out into the world.
Some of the supporting characters are Heron, Aster, and Crystal. Heron is tough adn devoted to her life's work. She lives for her profession and belives that everyone shoudl follow her example. Forceful and powerful, she tries to restrain Path's social life and teache her all she knows about cloth. Crytal is her complete opposite. She advises her little brother, Bird, on the ways of the world gently, offering her opinion in a soft voice. While juggling family obligations and the various activites of a teenage girl, she helps to lead this story in the right direction. Aster also doles out advice, whether or not it is wanted. The older apprentice of Heron, she attempts to warn Path away from dangerous words and whims. Eager to escape the tough life under Heron and be free once again, she tries to save Path from the fate she had to endure, but only achives making the already bristling Path even more reckless and snappy.
In this story, the magority of the conflicts are internal. Path struggles to shut down her memories and keep the past hidden, while Bird wars with his urges to get out and to help out. Path has a few personality clashes with Aster, but most of her battles are fought inside of her mind.
Through this story Steve Lyon uses many metaphors and literary tricks to warn us that we shouldn't be afraid to live life to the fullest. He also showed us that we couldn't let the memories of the past or fear of the future ruin what we have right here in the present.
I loved his writing and metaphors and his characters charmed me to no end. This book is in my top two favorites, along with the story Gathering Blue. Both books are similar, in post-present worlds and with main characters with secrets in thier past. There is a touch of romance in them both, but only the crushes of youth; clumsy adoration. They both end very well, leaving the reader satisfied and the story wrapped up, but also with an opening, a promise of a different, maybe better future, for the characters and for thier enviroment. These books are both characters-driven, but also have fascanating plots. You really counldn't wish for better stories.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Huzzah! A book about the future that isn't distopian! The title of the story "The Gift Moves" is also the central theme, which I found compelling, though maybe a little too bright-eyed. I like the idea of gifts not staying forever with a person, constantly cycling. Not *exactly* communist, more buddhist, perhaps? (more philosophical than political?) Though the characters and dialoge seemed a little one-dimensional and stilted, it was still an enjoyable light read.

[Uen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly fascinating book set in a very different sort of society. This book shows what two people do to attract the other and how one girl learns to adapt to a different lifestyle. This book is also a book of a girl's journey to let go of her past and live for the future.

[Elaina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once again, one of those post-apocolyptic books that I seem to gravitate towards. However, I honestly feel as if this one would appeal to a wider audience. To quote Booklist, "Lyons' soulful first novel...projects a civilization returned to a barter-based village culture, structured around a shamanistic religion that borrows more from America's preconquest roots than from sf futurism."

[Margo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poetic, colorful tale of love and moving on. Dystopic? Depends on your POV.

[Starla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think anyone reading this book would enjoy it. The concept ot "The Gift Moves" is the part I found so facinating about the book.
A young girl, Path, and her journey is very moving.

[Charina Del Mar · Rating 5 out of 5]

very humorous book. first book i ever purchased and it's very worth it. i love the story .

[Tess · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice,lyrical,magical