Once you read The Hunger Games, you have to talk to someone about
it, because the emotions it causes are enormous and you must release them. That
simple human quality, the need to let go of our emotions to someone, hopefully
someone who will encourage and uplift us, is what has made The Hunger Games trilogy
such a popular series among teens and adults. Collins was able to tap into this
human quality and then also write it into the heroine, Katniss Everdeen.
There are a million reviews on this book, so if you are reading
mine, I feel privileged.
Oh and this book discussion (yes discussion, not book review, you
can find millions of reviews on the web) will include spoilers, so if you
haven't read this book (go read it!) and don't want to know what happens (how
could you not already know?) then stop reading.
Alright here goes...
About a quarter of the way through this book I thought Collins has
to be crazy, I mean truly insane, like she might need medical attention. How could
someone create such an extreme sci-fi world that puts innocent children into a
habitat where they have to kill each other kids? And just in case that wasn’t enough,
she created creatures and bio-weapons to help the killings along! Then I
started thinking about Rome and the Colosseum, where they slaughtered children
as entertainment. So at that point I looked online for other reviews and found
an interesting one that discussed Collins' reasons for writing these books (check it out here), where she
mentions watching coverage of the war and flipping back to reality TV.
So I started to see that Collins wrote a series that brought back
important stories in history to make a point to a new generation – genius! That
is why this book (and the other two books in the series) will continue to be
read for years, maybe decades or more to come.
Since we are limited to only Katniss' view (an amazing feat, to
write such a compelling story through a first person narrative) I feel that is
where some of the anger over the books comes. We (fiction readers) are so used
to some kind of third-person view to a story; a way into each character so we
can feel like we are watching it all from a stage. But since Katniss is our
storyteller, we are limited to her knowledge, and as the book goes on we see
just how limited her knowledge is. I wanted to know more, so for this book I
kept reading because I was walking this trial with her.
Some of the most compelling parts of the story came once Katniss
was in the Capitol for training - when she first encountered the other tributes
and watched them prepare for the Games. This is when the reality of the
situation for our heroine really started to tug on my heartstrings. I am
willing to bet these feelings were a direct result of the fact that Katniss
also started to see the magnitude of the life and death situation she was in.
For me, another heart-touching moment was with Rue. Yes, the
murder of Rue was ruthless and heart wrenching, but for me, the scene where
Katniss and Rue are in the trees staying warm through the night hit deep.
Katniss mentions how it reminds her of Prim. It was just a real moment, a human
reaction. Here Katniss is fighting for her life and yet her emotions take her
back home to a place where she is safe.
Another point, one that Collins wanted to make clearly, is the
power of the media in our culture today. Once Katniss and Peeta are preparing
for the Games, it becomes clear that the people of the Capitol see the Games as
pure entertainment because that is how it is packaged for them (remember they
don’t have a tribute fighting for his or her life; they are just watching a
reality TV show). Although Katniss seems to take a while to catch on to the
power of the media, Peeta catches on quickly. Near the end of the book the
readers realize he has a talent of speaking in a way that attracts an audience,
and that fact is not lost on President Snow and Panem’s media.
Photo credit |
If you feel you would like to share your
feelings, thoughts, emotions, please feel free, I would love to hear from
others who have read The Hunger Games, whether you liked it or not. All
opinions on the book- oh and the new movie!- are welcomed!
11 coment�rios
I haven't read this one, but maybe I'll need to check it out. You make it sound interesting. By the way, I love your header/picture of the open book. God bless, Gail
ReplyDeleteThanks Gail - you should check it out - super quick read, as a mother of two I finished it in three days. After you read it, come back and let me know what you think!
DeleteI completely agree with you, once you read it, you just have to talk about it!!! I finished the trilogy a week and a half ago, and it has been eating away at my mind :). I wrote a review here if you are interested: http://purposefulwife.blogspot.com/2012/03/literary-analysis-hunger-games.html
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post :).
Rachel - your post was great- It is a great lesson for many to learn. Anything especially eating away at you that you didn't get to put in your post? Are you planning on seeing the movie?
DeleteThanks for this post Marissa! I completely enjoyed these books and can't wait to see the movie (tomorrow!!). I totally agree with your analysis of the book. I found them to be so thought provoking and deep.
ReplyDeleteI did get sucked into a "discussion" yesterday on Facebook. I should never have commented lol ;). Someone posted about how they were excited to watch the movie (a Christian) and then someone commented about how dark it is that the whole thing is based on kids killing kids. I responded and just said a couple sentences trying to clarify that the focus of the book is NOT on kids killing kids but rather the evil of that and how the trilogy is all about trying to STOP kids killing kids...Well the whole discussion turned mean from there and I was personally attacked a couple times from those simple statements. Whew, I never did go in and comment any more other than that 1 comment. It got CRAZY. I can't believe how mean people get on Social Media when they are not talking straight to your face and will never meet you. CHRISTIANS, mind you. Whew, it was crazy. Anyway, I love your review because I loved the books and I am excited to see the movie ;)
Thanks for sharing!
Yeah I am always amazed at how attached people get to their emotions surrounding books, especially well written ones. It's too bad you were verbally attacked on that discussion stream - people are more likely to speak their mind without thinking of others on social media and such.
DeleteAfter you see the movie I'd love to hear your take on it - how it compares to the book.
I'm really wanting to read these (trying to make myself wait to see the movie).
ReplyDeleteBut as you know...
That shouldn't be too difficult because we'll have to wait for the dvd "since we don't believe in babysitters" and all :)
I love reading too...and it was fun to read your "about" paragraph. My degree is in English (though it's not always easy to tell) and my Masters is in education and I taught high school English and Speech. Fun to find a kindred. :)
Blessings,
Kara @ The Chuppies
Kara- I get waiting for the movie now, because I'm a little nervous about going to the movie because I have such a specific look for both of the main characters (Katniss & Peeta) and the actors just don't seem to fit that. However I've had friends say they are good in their roles, so we'll see.
ReplyDeleteThe babysitter thing rings home, so I won't be able to see it for another week at least.
That is cool that we have the same educational/career background - seem to be able to find a bunch of this kind online, just not in person.
I have to admit--I haven't read this one. My degree is in Literature, and I am really bothered by the fact that our country is so enamored with young adult books. The recent bestsellers which have swept our nation (twilight, harry potter, and Hunger Games), are all geared toward 4th-7th grade or so. Just don't know what to make of that! lol.
ReplyDeleteI've seen a lot about the movie though and a part of me wants to go see it, while the other part is just too disturbed by the premise. I find it difficult to even have someone to root for in such circumstance. I guess I'm too serious when it comes to certain things, but I just find the whole situation heartbreaking, regardless of who wins and not sure if I could get past that.
Crystal - I get you on the young adult lit trend - I also carry a degree in English/Literature. I originally read the books for the purpose of teaching it to a jr high class. And yes the premise is a heavy one - I don't think we are supposed to want a side to win in this series, but you would have to read the whole trilogy for that to make sense. One point I think is important with this group of books compared to Twilight and Harry Potter, is the writing is done well, and the topic is not childish at all. Maybe seeing the movie would decide for you if you want to read these or not.
DeleteI ran across an interesting article that coincides with what we spoke about in regards to parental exposure to these books.
ReplyDeletehttp://pjmedia.com/lifestyle/2012/04/09/will-hunger-games-violence-scar-your-child%E2%80%99s-psyche/
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