The Unique Magic in "Messenger"

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Image result for messenger book
I recently read the book "The Messenger" by Lois Lowry. This book is the third installment in the 
"The Giver" series.

The book is about an adolescent boy named Matty, who lives in a dystopian future society called "Village". In this village people are always kind and friendly to one another, and they don't hold back any secrets; almost the perfect ideal society. They let in refugees from other places where violence,theft , and lies are all part of the life there. However, things are starting to change. People start trading away parts of themselves in order to gain something they desire to the Trademaster. Because of this, people are becoming mean and greedy. They want to close off the always-open borders of Village, and not let anyone else in. Matty and his mentor, Seer, seek to find out how to stop this and get rid of this plague of unkindness spreading through the city.

Personally, I found this book really exciting, unique, and fun, and I think you should read it too. A reason for this is it's unique magical and fantastical element, like "Forest". Forest is a forest that surrounds Village, and decides who is allowed to pass through it, and who cannot. Forest is practically a living creature, as it can take the lives of people who he does not want in it by wrapping his roots and branches around his victim. This next passage describes what happened to a person who Forest did not want travelling through it: "It looked as if first the vines grabbed him by the neck and pulled tight. Poor Gatherer. He had grabbed at them to pull loose but then they curled around his hands as well."(11). But, he does let one person go through, and that is Matty. The plot thickens as this trading seems to affect Forest and makes it harder for Matty to get through when Matty must deliver messages to other towns, and escort visitors to Village.

Another example of magic is the Trademaster and trading a part of one’ssoul. I find this part especially unique and an interesting idea. I think that the idea of trading part of your soul for something you want is sort of creepy and an unsettling idea. I wonder why one would make such a decision. It made me wonder if we would trade part of our souls in today's society, and how it would affect us today.

I found "Messenger" by Lois Lowry fairly entertaining, and fun. It also raised a couple questions in my head and made me apply these concepts to real life. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick and fun read.
-Teo

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