Young Adult Fiction for Adults discussion

Is there anyone who has read the entire series The Giver, Gathering Blue, Messenger? I'm undecided about getting the entire paperback box set or just the first book. A lot of people are recommending 'The Giver,' but I hardly ever hear anything the later books in the series. What do you think?

There was more then one?!

I only read the Giver. I was not blown away, but gave it 3 stars. I think a lot of people read it in school so they have a fondness for it, but it was not out yet when I was in school. :)

I read it when i was older too, not in school. I thought it was good and thought provoking, if a bit dry.

Yeah I did not like the giver, that was 7th grade, but it just fusterated me. I really could not enjoy the book because of the people's beliefs

I read The Giver back in 4th or 5th grade and I loved it. I then read the entire trilogy in 2006 and I still loved them. I know not everyone liked it when we read it in school though.

Didn't read it but from all the negative reviews I've read, I don't want to even try it. Sounds to be a pretty messed-up and depressive book, and not in the good way. I can't read something where everything is either black or white for all the characters.

It is very black and white Cecilia. In general I have found it is hard for me to really love middle grade books,(like the Giver), now that I am an (old)adult.

Between the give and brave new world I've learned I can't do futuristic un-uptoias, I get too fuserated to actually enjoy the book

I wouldn't call Gathering Blue a sequel to The Giver at all! But it is actually a far better read. :)

The Giver was the first book I read that was "thought-provoking" for me so it has a special place in my heart. I read it in 7th grade and liked it a lot at the time. Before that I just read for entertainment (stuff like R.L. Stine...) so it was a nice change to think about what I was reading and to read something that a little deeper. I guess it kinda changed my life because it switched me over to reading a much wider variety of literature - the kind that has depth. It's been 15 years since then...wow, time flies when you have good books to read!

Very interesting and contrasting viewpoints. Thank you very much for sharing your opinions. I do like thought-provoking books, and Orwell's 1984 is one of my favorite books of all time, so I think I'll like the series :)

I just finished The Giver a few days ago and it was definitely thought provoking and a little more than disturbing. I really enjoyed it, though. I didn't know this was a series.

We read The Giver in my 7th grade English class. I wasn't a big fan of it. It was definitely disturbing and memorable, but I didn't feel much of an attachment to the main character or anyone else in the book. I know they were all supposed to be emotionless, but for me it just made it hard to relate to.

I read The Giver last year. It was thought provoking and just inconceivably amazing. Gathering Blue and Messenger were very good too, but not as good.

And in case anyone is interested, there will be a fourth book in this series. It will be about (view spoiler)[the baby that Jonas rescues in the first book, except he'll be older. (hide spoiler)] I'm not sure of the release date, but I've talked to Lowry in person so I can confirm that it's not a hoax.

Here's my recent review of the series:

http://yasff.blogspot.com/2011/01/thu...

I agree 100% with Emily's thoughts about The Giver and all three books in this series. That's exactly how I feel about them. On the whole, I definitely recommend all three books, but especially The Giver.

Emily: You've met and spoken with Lois Lowry?? How cool!! In what circumstance? And do you know approximately when the 4th book will come out? I'm so excited to hear there'll be another one!!!

Rachelle wrote: "I agree 100% with Emily's thoughts about The Giver and all three books in this series. That's exactly how I feel about them. On the whole, I definitely recommend all three books, but es..."

I spoke to her for a couple minutes because I was a volunteer at the book signing. I don't know exactly when the 4th book will be out, but she said that she just finished the first draft, so it might be a while.

How awesome!! Thanks for the info!

Yes, thanks for the info about the fourth book - I didn't even know there was a second and third. Personally, I always thought what made The Giver such a great book was Jonas. He's just such a well-done character - so kind and yet flawed like all humans are. You're always rooting for him and I love that. Based on Emily's mention of the fourth - I sort of think I might read that one next because it follows right along with the end of The Giver.

Not sure if Gathering Blue and Messenger do. Do they?

Hi Candice,

Gathering Blue and Messenger are pretty much stand-alone stories that are companions to The Giver, more than sequels to it. Though Messenger follows the story of Gathering Blue more so than either of them's relationship to The Giver. Hope that answers your question!

Yes it does. Thanks Rachelle!

But Jonas is an important character in Messenger...so he's not completely out of the picture.

Emily wrote: "But Jonas is an important character in Messenger...so he's not completely out of the picture."

Okay Emily, thanks! I'll get on reading them all then.

The Giver is one of my all time favorite books so when I found out that there were companions to it I just had to read them. I was not thrilled with Gathering Blue what-so-ever but I don't feel like I wasted my time on it or anything. I bought it at a used bookstore so that was a plus. Messenger was quite a bit better but still nothing compared to The Giver. I think they are worth reading but I'd probably just get them from the library.

I agree that none of the companions were as good as The Giver.

Thanks for the library tip, Julie!

I've only read The Giver. Loved it. I have Gathering Blue but have yet to read it.

I started The Giver last year but finished it recently! I LOVE THE BOOK!

It's a kind of book that will leave you a longing feeling in your chest. I haven't read the companions but I sure do hope they were good. I want to know what happens next to Jonas.

Oh man, I LOVED The Giver. It was such a thoughtful read that really opens your eyes to new concepts. Are the next two books worth reading?

doh...I didn't realize this was a trilogy, either. How exciting. Enjoyed the first. Putting the other two on my TBR. Thanks for the post, TinTin. :D

I didn't realize it was a trilogy until I added it here. Since the rest aren't really continuations to the original story I didn't really care to read them but after reading these comments I'm pretty tempted. Especially after hearing about the 4th.

I read the trilogy a couple of months ago and really enjoyed them! Glad to hear there's a 4th coming!