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bill_chamberlin 's review for:
Son
by Lois Lowry
The longest of the four Giver-related titles, this was well worth reading. It definitely held my interest. I am left, though, with a number of questions about the larger world of Community, Village, Seaside and the people of Gathering Blue/Messenger.
The three-part development of Claire's narrative, and its hearkening back to The Giver was an interesting way to deliver a parallel storyline that came back around. The second section, though, seemed like the timeline was strung out a little too long. On the other hand, the development of that culture/people/community I found quite interesting.
I was a little disappointed with the ending. It just seems like it came up short given the circumstances that were being faced, and how the forces at work had been presented through the other books.
One odd observation overall, now that the quartet is finished: I think it is curious that none of the communities or cultures described (with the possible exception of Village) had an explicit sense of religion, despite having to deal with the presence and consequences of evil. I suppose the Handbinding/marriage rite in Seaside, and the harvest festivals/dances in Village could be interpreted that way. I'm not offended either way; perhaps its a facet of the narrative world of The Giver with which Lowry chose not to contend (or I didn't recognize it if she did). Simply a curious afterthought/reflection on my part.
The three-part development of Claire's narrative, and its hearkening back to The Giver was an interesting way to deliver a parallel storyline that came back around. The second section, though, seemed like the timeline was strung out a little too long. On the other hand, the development of that culture/people/community I found quite interesting.
I was a little disappointed with the ending. It just seems like it came up short given the circumstances that were being faced, and how the forces at work had been presented through the other books.
One odd observation overall, now that the quartet is finished: I think it is curious that none of the communities or cultures described (with the possible exception of Village) had an explicit sense of religion, despite having to deal with the presence and consequences of evil. I suppose the Handbinding/marriage rite in Seaside, and the harvest festivals/dances in Village could be interpreted that way. I'm not offended either way; perhaps its a facet of the narrative world of The Giver with which Lowry chose not to contend (or I didn't recognize it if she did). Simply a curious afterthought/reflection on my part.