Is The Giver Book 2 A Direct Sequel To The Original Story?

In 'The Giver' series, Book 2, 'Gathering Blue', isn’t a direct sequel to the original story. It’s more of a companion novel, set in a different community with new characters. While it explores similar themes of control and individuality, it doesn’t continue Jonas’s story directly. Instead, it introduces Kira, a young girl with a physical disability, who uncovers secrets about her society. The connection between the two books becomes clearer in the later installments, but 'Gathering Blue' stands on its own, offering a fresh perspective on the dystopian world Lois Lowry created.

When I first read 'Gathering Blue', I was surprised it didn’t pick up where 'The Giver' left off. Instead, it’s set in a completely different society, focusing on Kira, a girl who’s an outcast because of her leg deformity. The book dives into themes of art, power, and survival, which feel familiar but are explored in a new context.

What’s interesting is how Lowry subtly ties the two books together. There’s no direct mention of Jonas or his community, but the underlying ideas about societal control and the importance of memory are still there. It’s not until later books, like 'Messenger' and 'Son', that the connections become more explicit.

For me, 'Gathering Blue' works because it doesn’t rely on the first book’s success. It’s a standalone story that enriches the overall series, showing how different societies can grapple with similar issues in unique ways.

I’ve always seen 'Gathering Blue' as a parallel story rather than a direct sequel. It’s set in a different community, and the characters are entirely new, which initially threw me off. But as I got deeper into the book, I realized it’s part of a larger tapestry.

The themes of oppression and the search for truth are still present, but they’re explored through Kira’s journey as an artist. Her society values craftsmanship, but there’s a dark undercurrent of control, much like in 'The Giver'. The book doesn’t directly continue Jonas’s story, but it expands the world Lowry created, showing how different communities handle similar challenges.

What I appreciate is how 'Gathering Blue' stands on its own while still contributing to the series. It’s a testament to Lowry’s skill that she can create such distinct yet interconnected stories.