Book Review: Son by Lois Lowry

Son by Lois Lowry
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Publication date: October 2012
Pages: 400
Source: Purchased
For: Fun
Series: The Giver, Book 4

Claire didn't always live in her small community - she washed up on their shore years ago. She hasn't shared much of her past with anyone, but she still holds a burning desire to find her son - a boy that she gave birth to and wasn't supposed to even remember. She'll do the impossible to find him again, even facing a danger that few have attempted before.

Things I Liked:
I'm amazed at how beautifully Lowry wrapped up the stories in this series.  I love the societies she's imagined and the uniquely detailed and yet still not entirely clear way she's described them.  Despite the fact that thinking hard about how a world without color doesn't seem possible, it feels real.  Claire's journey was fascinating, watching the choices she makes and the things she discovers about herself and her society felt natural.  It's a testament to how well Lowry writes that a story without very much actual action can capture your attention so completely.  I never got bored, despite its rather slow-moving pace.  It's full of questions and thoughtful looks at our future and our choices.  Great ending to this quieter dystopian series.

Things I Didn't Like:
I have to admit, I'm not sure how much teens and kids will relate to a story about a mother who will do anything to find her lost child.  The feelings and motivations seem very much adult, despite Claire's very young age.  

Read-alikes:
Read The Giver, Gathering Blue, and Messenger by Lois Lowry first
Reminded me of the Matched trilogy by Ally Condie

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none
that I recall

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->
not precisely described, but some action

Overall rating: ****

Which do you prefer - quieter, more thoughtful or action-packed dystopian literature?

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