Messenger is a 2004 dystopian fantasy novel by Lois Lowry, the third in a quartet that began with The Giver (1993) and continued with Gathering Blue (2000). It centers on Matty, a troubled young boy entrusted to the care of Seer, a blind prophet, in a community known as Village. Village, initially a refuge for the damaged and displaced, gradually becomes corrupted by the desire for perfection and exclusivity, culminating in the erection of a border wall and the development of a market where individuals can trade their inherent flaws for desired attributes.
The novel explores complex themes of self-acceptance, community, responsibility, and the insidious nature of prejudice. It highlights the dangers of prioritizing superficial beauty and conformity over genuine human connection and compassion. Lowry’s work within the quartet, which concludes with Son (2012), provides a poignant commentary on societal structures, power dynamics, and the enduring struggle between individual identity and collective good. Messenger’s significance lies in its examination of moral dilemmas within a seemingly utopian setting, prompting reflection on the choices individuals make and the consequences that ripple through their communities.
