Lois Lowry

Gathering Blue

Although Gathering Blue is the second in a quartet by Lois Lowry, I found it unnecessary to have read the first. In fact, unlike a bazillion other people, I haven't read The Giver (Newbery Award winner). Will I read it? Not sure but I am interested in reading Messenger and Son. I find it interesting that the interview with Lois Lowry at the end of the edition I read mentioned her wanting to write a third book in The Giver setting using the character Matt but no concrete plans. Yet the advertisement for Son states "the startling and long-awaited conclusion." Indeed, one of my biggest complaints with Gathering Blue is that the lead character is about to get into a big conflict but that's it, the end. Does The Giver end abruptly as well? Regardless, I enjoyed the book. My favorite aspect of Gathering Blue is the conciseness (none of that "this is what she is doing and why" at every moment, letting the reader think it out) and the fascinating information given about dying fibers.
Brief synopsis: Post-apocalyptic world where the weak are discarded, crippled girl becomes important and learns strange secrets about her society.