Book: The Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins
Year: 2008
Publisher: Scholastic
From past posts it is obvious that I tend to read books that aren’t necessarily on the bestseller lists. Kind of against book-trending norms, I have realized that I usually stay away from the “book of the moment” (with the exception of Harry Potter – which I honestly tried for years to not cave into, but I lost the battle in the end).
This was a similar situation with the recent book trending everywhere I looked:
The Hunger Games. I had heard about it and seen it in the bookstore, but never thought much of it. I assumed it was another
Twilight, which I managed to avoid over the last few years. After a professor mentioned reading
The Hunger Games over the holidays and seeing the trailer online, I gave into the craze and I LOVED IT.
The first book in the series was original and unique. Set in the future state of North America, the nation of Panem consists of the Capitol and twelve distinct districts. After facing a revolt 74 years prior, the Capitol set up a form of entertainment to keep the districts oppressed. Each district would put forth one male and female between the ages of 12-18 to compete against other districts each year. With 24 tributes, they are forced to fight to the death against each other until one emerges as the victor. This is of course broadcasted across the nation on live television.
After her sister’s name was pulled to compete for District 12, the main character, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She sacrifices herself by knowing she will likely meet a certain death. The male tribute from their district is Peeta. The two tributes are both sixteen and have only had run-ins with each other briefly. They are quickly shipped to the Capitol to start the process of the competition. There are opening ceremonies, interviews, training, and skills competitions before they even enter the arena.
Without giving too much of the plot away, the two tributes from District 12 are forced to act like a pair instead of competitors. This shakes Katniss because she knows they might both end up dead or worse, they might end up having to kill each other. When they enter the arena to battle, all the rules for Katniss are thrown out. It becomes just as difficult for the tributes mentally as it is physically. Though most of them have lived in hardship and through starvation, it is difficult for the tributes to anticipate their reaction to killing another human being.
Though I have read many dystopian societies, the element of the Games has really set this book apart and is relevant to society today. If you haven’t experienced
The Hunger Games, I would recommend it. Or if you are not much of a reader, the movie hits theatres on March 23rd and it stars Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson.
