Messenger (novel)
This article consists almost entirely of a plot summary. (July 2018) |
LC Class PZ7.L9673 Me 2004 | | |
Preceded by | Gathering Blue | |
---|---|---|
Followed by | Son |
Messenger is a 2004
Set in an isolated community known simply as Village, the novel focuses on a boy, Matty, who serves as message-bearer through the ominous and lethal Forest that surrounds the community.
Plot
Messenger is set about seven years after The Giver (1993) and Gathering Blue (2000).[1] It is set in Village, a simple community which is inclusive of all who seek refuge within it. Matty now lives in Village with Kira's father, Christopher. Christopher is known in Village as Seer—his true name, which everyone in Village is given when they reach maturity. The Giver's Jonas is revealed to have survived and become Village's Leader.[1]
Matty acts as a messenger, being the only person able to traverse the surrounding Forest safely. Others receive Warnings from Forest, indicating that they will not be able to travel there again without being harmed. Matty discovered that he has a supernatural "gift" where he can heal living things by touching them, at the cost of depleting himself.
The peaceful townspeople have gradually become selfish after Trademaster's arrival. Taking control of a market gathering known as Trade Mart, Trademaster offers any trade—from attractiveness to Gaming Machines—in exchange for one's best qualities. Unwilling to share their resources, the townspeople vote to close Village's borders. Those who have never attended Trade Mart, such as Leader and Seer, disagree. Leader says that the wall cannot go up until three weeks have passed.
Leader assigns Matty to post notices of Village's border closure throughout Forest. Seer also asks him to bring Kira to Village before the wall is built. He retrieves Kira but they are assaulted by Forest and end up on the brink of death. Leader senses their plight with his gift, but is similarly trapped by Forest. Matty uses his gift to heal them and restore Forest and Village's natural order at the cost of his own life. Naming Matty "Healer", Kira and Leader start towards Village.
Reception
Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews and Common Sense Media's Matt Berman praised the thought-provoking themes and simple yet "beautifully textured" prose.[2][3][4]
In
Messenger was nominated in the 2008 Young Hoosier Book Award.[7]
Like The Giver, Messenger was banned in the Frisco Independent School District in Texas.[8]
References
- ^ Tor.com. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
- ^ a b "Messenger". Publishers Weekly. Vol. 251, no. 7. February 16, 2004. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
- ^ "Messenger". Kirkus Reviews. Vol. 72, no. 7. April 1, 2004. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ a b Berman, Matt (2015). "Messenger: The Giver, Book 3". Common Sense Media. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
- The ALAN Review. 33 (1): 62–67.
- ^ Jung, E. Alex (August 15, 2014). "Here's What Happens in the Other Three Giver Books". Vulture. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ "2008 Young Hoosier Book Award". FictionDB. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
- ^ Carter, Simone (October 5, 2023). "Updated List: Every Texas School District Book Ban in the 2022-23 School Year". Dallas Observer. Retrieved October 29, 2023.