On My Mind: The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this book, and can't wait to listen to the next in the series. I enjoyed the book-on-tape's reader, so that was a plus, and makes me willing to wait longer to get the CDs for the second. (I do have several other books I'm reading in print, so that makes the wait bearable.)

The story is set in a future, dystopian America, where each year each province must send 2 of its youth to participate in "the hunger games" -- a brutal competition of 24 teenagers, with only one survivor. The book centers around Katniss, a 16-year-old girl who volunteers to go when her 12-year-old sister's name is drawn. Katniss is skilled with a bow and arrow, always having had to hunt (illegally) to provide her family with enough food. The boy chosen is Peeta, the baker's son, who has always had his eye on Katniss. She can never trust his love, however, because she feels it may just be a ruse to win the audience to his side. She also had a close guy friend at home, Gale, and can't fully give her heart because of her connection to him.

There's definitely some gore and brutality here, though less than I expected having heard others mention in. It is YA lit, after all, so I'm glad it wasn't worse. But the story isn't only about the fight to the end. It also goes through the whole ceremonial procedure -- part talent show, part beauty pageant -- lots and lots of drama and showmanship to please the audience. You think of Bradbury's societies, where drama and media have overtaken reality.

The story also made me think of "The Lottery", a short story by Shirley Jackson. And Lord of the Flies, for the characters' quick devolution to murder. I thought about making it an independent reading option, along with The Giver, Fahrenheit 451, and Ella Minnow Pea, since all have to do with dystopian societies where individual rights are subsumed to the society's wishes.

But I also liked the romance. I wanted Katniss to trust Peeta!! I hear that she doesn't do much better in the next book. But I've also read that the next book is a fantastic sequel -- at least as good as the first. I hope so!

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