Gathering Blue

Ich weiß nicht genau, was ich mir von den weiteren Teilen des Giver Quartetts vorgestellt habe, aber das irgendwie nicht.Als Fortgang der Handlung aus dem 1. Teil war es ein wenig enttäuschend und hat die Handlung in eine wirklich sehr andere Richtung getrieben.Nichtsdestotrotz war es alleinstehend betrachtet auf jeden Fall eine andere Geschichte und es hat einem auch einen Blick auf die Leben außerhalb der Community aus The Giver gegeben. Auch hier liegt der Fokus wieder stark auf der Message und es wird wieder eine Gesellschaft konstruiert, die zeigt, wie erschreckend das Leben sein kann, wenn man bestimmte Werte verliert oder andere diskriminiert.

So, if you've read "The Giver" and are eager to find out how Jonas and Gabriel make their way to a better future, this is not it. However, what you will find is another story in an utopian setting which has the ability to warm your heart - because for me it did. At first I stayed apprehensive and waited for the two stories to tie in together, but it only took a few pages until I was so immersed in this new storyline that I almost forgot about part one. For me, the new protagonist Kira is even more relatable and interesting because she has feelings, which she can transport to the readers as well. She's grown up in difficult circumstances in another community, but surprisingly gets a chance to enter a seemingly better life. Even though there is not much action, her thoughts and especially her loved ones (two little children, a boy her age, an middle-aged man and an old woman) become so intriguing that I didn't want to put the book down. For me, the story has everything I want from a book: different and heartwarming characters, the creation of a clear mental image of this alternative world, twists and turns (without getting too confusing), room to guess (and be right, but not sure). I really enjoyed "Gathering Blue" and hope that some of you can, too.