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Description edit
Told in three separate story lines, Lois Lowry’s Son combines elements from the first three novels in her Giver Quartet— The Giver (1994 Newbery Medalist), Gathering Blue, and Messenger —into a breathtaking, thought-provoking narrative that wrestles with ideas of human freedom. Thrust... read more
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
Characters edit
- Claire: A young Birthmother.
- Gabe: Claire's baby. The baby that Jonas ran away with.
- Jonas: Used to be Leader; now he is the protector of the books and knowledge. Scholar / librarian. From Claire's village.
- Kira: Married to Jonas, has great skill with embroidery. Is daughter of the seer. Has special powers. One of the main characters in the Book Gathering Blue.
- Einar: A crippled man whom Claire loves.
- Trademaster: An evil being who makes deals.
- Alys: A healer who uses plant medicines.
- Mentor: Bald, hunched, with a red stain birthmark, he once made a trade with Trademaster to be good-looking so he could win a young widow. He becomes taller, his hair regrows, and his birthmark fades, but he becomes selfish and she rejects him. He regrets his decision and slowly returns to his former appearance and is kind and compassionate.
- Tall Andras: Man in love with Claire in the middle portion of the story.
- Nurturer: Unnamed man who is Jonas's father and caretaker of newchildren.
- Dimitri: Claire's supervisor at the Hatchery.
- Old Benedikt: Lives in the seaside village and is an old friend of Alyss.
Quotes edit
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“It had been Jonas, during his time as Leader, who had gently but firmly reminded the villagers that they had all been outsiders once.”
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“As a child, Gabe had yawned and fidgeted when his class was taken, as each school class was, to visit the village museum and learn the history. History was boring, he thought. He was embarrassed when the museum curator, pointing to various artifacts in the "Vehicles of Arrival" exhibit, had gestured to the battered red sled and explained that a brave boy named Jonas had battled a blizzard and fought his way here carrying a dying baby.”
Setting & Locations edit
There are three settings: The Community in the first part; a coastal village separated from the rest of the world by a dangerous sea and high cliffs; and the village where Claire ends up.
- The Community: This is the place Claire grew up. It is also the home of Jonas and Gabe. It is devoid of emotions except for the Giver and the Receiver. Citizens take pills to banish emotions. Everything is pleasant but bland. It never rains. There are occasional raids by airplanes and they have pilots who presumably fight, but no one mentions this. Adults might be assigned a spouse. They can have one boy and one girl who are assigned to them. At the age of Twelve, the children are assigned to their jobs.
First Sentence edit
The young girl cringed when they buckled the eyeless leather mask around the upper half of her face and blinded her.
Table of Contents edit
The book is divided into three parts called Before, The Middle, and Beyond. The chapters in each section are numbered and untitled.
A discussion guide is included at the end of the book.
Series & Lists edit
This is book 4 of 4 in The Giver Quartet. (standard series)
Preceded by Messenger.
This is book 4 of 4 in La trilogie du Passeur. (standard series)
Preceded by Messenger.
Authors & Contributors edit
- Lois Lowry (Author)
First Edition edit
Original Language: English
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Country: USA
Publication Date: October 2, 2012
ISBN: 978-0547887203
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Country: USA
Publication Date: October 2, 2012
ISBN: 978-0547887203
Page Count: 400
Classification edit
- Library of Congress: 050 10 |a PZ7.L9673 |b So 2013 082 00 |a <Fic> |2 23
- Dewey: 082 00 |a <Fic> |2 23
Notes for Parents edit
Reading Level: Young AdultsDiscussions of pregnancy, adolescence.Ages 12 and up
Subjects edit
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