The Giver Books in Order: How to read Lois Lowry’s dystopian series?
The Giver Quartet is a young adult series of four novels written by American writer Lois Lowry. The story takes place in what appears to be a utopian society but really is a dystopia. Pain and suffering have been eradicated from this world, and there are no worries anymore as the philosophy of “Sameness”, which eliminates wants or needs from human existence, has been installed and has strived.
The Giver is the alias of the Receiver of Memory, a man who has to bear the memories of the past the community turned away from. Described as an aging Elder, he is one of the most important figures in this society, due to his responsibilities, but holds almost no power. When the story begins, the young Jonas has been chosen to be the new Receiver of Memory, and he discovers that his community is deprived of color, music, and more.
How to read The Giver Series in Order?
Read The Giver Quartet in Publication Order
Each book in The Giver Quartet is written in a way you don’t have to read any of the others to understand the story. That said, there is some loose connection between the books, making it relevant to read them in their publication order. Gathering Book takes place in the same universe but is written more as a stand-alone or companion book to The Giver. The Messenger is directly connected to Gathering Blue, and Son connects all four books to the same universe.
- The Giver (1993) – Twelve-year-old Jonas lives in a seemingly ideal world. Not until he is given his life assignment as the Receiver does he begin to understand the dark secrets behind his fragile community. Gradually Jonas learns that power lies in feelings. But when his own power is put to the test-when he must try to save someone he loves-he may not be ready. Is it too soon? Or too late? The book has been adapted as a graphic novel.
- Gathering Blue (2000) – Set in the same future time period and universe than The Giver. Left orphaned and physically flawed, young Kira faces a frightening, uncertain future. Blessed with an almost magical talent that keeps her alive, she struggles with ever broadening responsibilities in her quest for truth, discovering things that will change her life forever.
- Messenger (2004) – Takes place six years after Gathering Blue. Strange changes are taking place in Village. Once a utopian community that prided itself on its welcome to new strangers, Village will soon be closed to all outsiders. As one of the few people able to travel through the dangerous Forest, Matty must deliver the message of Village’s closing and try to convince Seer’s daughter to return with him before it’s too late. But Forest has become hostile to Matty as well, and he must risk everything to fight his way through it, armed only with an emerging power he cannot yet explain or understand.
- Son (2012) – They called her Water Claire. When she washed up on their shore, no one knew that she came from a society where emotions and colors didn’t exist. That she had become a Vessel at age thirteen. That she had carried a Product at age fourteen. That it had been stolen from her body. Claire had a son. She was supposed to forget him, but that was impossible. Now Claire will stop at nothing to find her child, even if it means making an unimaginable sacrifice.
The Giver Quartet in Chronological Order
Liam Murray at Goodreads offered different reading orders for the series, with some options closer to a chronological order. What follows is one of them. Don’t hesitate to tell us in the comments if you agree!
- Son, part 1 (Before)
- The Giver
- Gathering Blue
- Messenger
- Son, part 2 (Between)
- Son, part 3 (Beyond)
If you like our article about The Giver reading order, you could be interested in reading the Time Quintet by Madeleine L’Engle or The Ender’s Game series by Orson Scott Card.
