In honour of this week's DVD release
of The Hunger Games I thought we should take a look at the book
of The Hunger Games I thought we should take a look at the book
that started this latest pop culture phenomenon.
Summary (from Goodreads):
Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone out to make sure you don't live to see the morning? In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.
Review:
I had put off reading the Hunger Games for many reasons (mainly the hype) but in the end I'm glad I read it. I think this is the kind of book that stays with you, in your head, for quite some time. When you least expect it, you're thinking about it again. The scariest thing is that it's only a slight exaggeration of North American society today. It's not difficult to envision a crazy 'reality' show just like this showing up on our TVs in the very near future.
I enjoyed the writing, it was very visual without being overly descriptive, somehow Young Adult fiction books always seem to do this exceptionally well. The fact that I finished it within two days tells you that, first of all, it's an easy read, and secondly, it's a fast moving story that you don't want to put down.
Don't let all the hype or the Young Adult label deter you. Even for someone like me who doesn't normally read this genre I really enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to watching the movie and reading the next two books.
(For a snapshot on how completely out of touch parts of our society have become, check out this article from the New York Times, critiquing the costumes from the film. I'm not sure these people even get that they're the ones who are being made fun of the most in the film.)
going until the end of August!
May the odds be ever in your favour!
I destroyed these books. Consuming all three within a week. Thank goodness they were all released when I read the series, waiting for the next installment would have been slightly torturous. Its a book that crosses age and sex barriers because even the rough and gruff linemen in the shop I work have read it and loved it.
ReplyDeleteI have probably reread the series no less than five times, I just love the characters and their development.
May the odds be ever in your favor!
I have also read all 3 books (in about a week and a half!). I LOVED the first book, liked the 2nd, but was not really satisfied by the end of the 3 book series. I wont spoil it for anyone, but just seeing if anyone else feels the same about the end of the overall story? It was still a page turner, I just wish the series ended differently....
ReplyDeleteI loved those books, I red them al in about a week, excepecially the second one, I finished it in about an hour.
ReplyDeleteBut I do agree with Veronica, The ending is a little bit dissapointing. but however the books are great. I also saw the movie, but I am more a fan of books,
excuse me for my englisch if it is not correct, I'm Nederlands
Greets, Nadia.
Ps. I have following your blog for a few months now, And I am a big fan! keep up the good work.
I just bought the books on Kindle because they were on sale this week. I've been putting it off mainly because I didn't know how interested I was and its a ripoff for Battle Royale, the Japanese movie. We'll see tho, I bought them all just incase I really like them and they turn into repeats. Haven't seen the movie yet either!
ReplyDelete