Son by Lois Lowry

Son by Lois Lowry

                The Ceremony of Twelve is the most important ceremony for children. At this time they are given their Assignments, their schooling will change and they will begin training for their assigned task. Some will be Nurturers, others will work in the House of Old and some will be assigned to practice Law. There were many assignment to be made throughout the community, all would help the community thrive. Claire, to the disappointment of her parental units, was assigned to be a Birthmother. When her body began to mature she became a Vessel and produced a Product. But something went wrong during the Task and Claire was left with a scar across her belly. The Product, number thirty six, a male was fine but she was decertified and reassigned to the Hatchery, helping provide sustainable fish as a food source for the community. It was here that Claire realized how different she was. She felt a loss and yearning for the Product she carried. She felt a sense of loneliness that no one around her understood. She was the only person she knew that didn’t take the Pill and she believed that might be the reason she felt these emotions. Now all she wants is a relationship with the child she carried but no one would assign her a child, even if it is her own. When a young boy escapes the community, taking her baby with him, she knows she must find him.

                Son is the last book of The Giver Quartet. Though we are familiar with most of the characters mentioned in this novel, Claire is a new addition with an interesting and singular story to tell. The first section of Son takes place at the same time as The Giver. Claire’s position as a birthmother and her friendship with the Nurturer we know as Jonas’ father gives us that information. Which also makes it apparent that the young child she produced is Gabriel, a central character in the first novel as well. Claire’s quest to find her son, intrigues anyone who has read the first novel, who was also curious to what happened to the young child. Claire’s journey becomes one of strength, determination and love. Only her son can fill the emptiness she has felt throughout the year. She is willing to sacrifice anything to find her son.

                This was a necessary novel. Lowry created an amazing story with The Giver and I became extremely invested in what happened to Jonas and Gabriel. I was willing to read all of the books to find out how their story ended. So I did. After reading all of the books all I can say is that this novel couldn’t have been more anti-climactic. I don’t know what I was expecting but this wasn’t it. What started off as an amazing take on a dystopia, turned into a fantasy realm of good vs. evil. This novel was actually interesting when it began but it became predictable and boring. It was an easy, simple read with Lowry’s great writing to carry it along but the plot wasn’t well managed. I give this novel 2 out of 5 stars. I wanted more than what Lowry had to offer with this last novel.