It’s no wonder why Hollywood has decided to make this story into a movie. It’s got all the elements that make a good movie:
· Government corruption and abuse
· Drug and alcohol abuse
· Action and Danger
· Pretty people in desperate situations sometimes wearing fabulous clothes
· Exotic-dangerous locations
· A love triangle
· Lethal, funny and eccentric characters
· Some bloody battles
Mix well!
I cannot gush enough about this story. I read all three books in less than a week. I know!! I still managed to feed the family, stay employed and bathe. Someone in my family questioned if I was neglecting my peoples because of the reading frenzy…when they start the series, they’ll get it.
The setting of this story is pivotal to the story. It takes place in what is now the USA. After some apocalyptic tragedies, the land, the people and the governments are broken and hungry. Perfect ingredients for a tyrannical government to step in. Keep them hungry and you will keep them at your mercy! The story takes place anywhere from 80 years from now to 200 years for now. While some of the people live with extreme luxuries and technological advances, some live without doctors and candles. As most corrupted societies go, there is no middle.
The Capitol, which is the central and controlling government, keeps everyone under control by keeping them hungry and week. Your food is rationed, your schooling is only about what your district produces and you have no communications with any of the other districts, 12 in all. No internet or cell phones, the only TV that exists is controlled by the Capitol. Most of what they play is old tapes of how bad it was before they took over and of course The Hunger Games, a yearly game that is televised for the all to see.
Every year 2 people are “randomly” chosen from each district to compete in the Hunger Games. Only one person can win, and if they do they are set up for life: new home, money, travel FOOD! Think of is as Survivor, except you don’t get voted off the island you get killed off the island. You are playing for your life as well as the well being of whoever you left behind at your district. One male and one female, starting from the age 12 are selected to go.
Enter 16 year old Katniss Evergreen, when her 12 year old sister is chosen, she takes her place to spare her sister’s life. Katniss is already a rebel. She’s been breaking the law by hunting illegally since her father died in a mining explosion. Taking care of her sister and her mother, who mentally checked out when her dad died. The other contestant, Peeta, is a little more privileged and softer than Katniss.
The games are in a simulated arena and taped, edited and then played for the citizens of the districts. So, imagine mom watching you from home murdering or being murdered. Everyone is out to kill each other and yet, like Survivor alliances are formed.
Needless to say, Katniss survives…after all there are two more books.
And that’s where it gets really crazy, because just when you think the government is a little crazy by making this game up to control its people, you realize they are a lot crazy. I thought back to the Roman Empire and how they would entertain people by watching slaves and criminals (people who disagreed with government) and thought, originally, oh, that’s been done before!
But this government in order to maintain its citizens in a docile state it does a lot of manipulating, mucho manipulating and they are not above killing people, children whoever.
The story will suck you in but so will the characters, they are all flawed humans that under the most horrible conditions make the worst choices…as we humans do.. I loved the fact that the author did this, it’s not realistic that people always do the right thing and that heroes and heroines are perfect. Even the one prince charming makes does some growing up and becomes less of a prince but a much better person.
This awesome work of fiction (and I hope it stays fiction because this could really happen) is all consuming. I sometimes think I understand (it has some gruesome fights) why schools have banned it, but I also think that it should be required reading. It can be used to teach adults as well as students where we came from, what we are capable of and that we can avoid the harm that we cause each other.
The second book, Catching Fire, while it did more character development I feel was a long explanation of why book 3, Mokingjay, had to happen. I’m not sure that it was completely necessary, but I won’t lie, I still enjoyed the ride. Throughout the series there are many thrilling moments. There are some sluggish moments where Katniss is letting us in on her inner dialogue…a lot.
I love the transformation that most of the characters go through on their journey. Especially, the changes in Peetah. I will admit that I want him to be my boy toy, and if I could have a harem of cute boys he would be the first that I would recruit. His job would be to always say the right thing when I’m having a bad day and to keep all the other boys in line. Not many people may agree with me but I liked him better at the end of the book than at the beginning. Katniss herself goes through some changes but they weren’t very positive, and I loved that Collins took her there! Collins wasn’t afraid to get her heroine dirty and risk her fans not liking her.
I don’t think that there is anything that I have ever read that I could compare this series to, what I can say is that it’s been a while since I felt like calling an author and telling her “good job!”. Sometimes I feel that authors do what they think the fans want them to do as opposed to the direction the story should actually go. Suzanne Collins stayed true to her story and characters. Another thing that I thought was great writing was how she handled the sex with less is more. There is a lot of violence, but I don’t think it’s any worse than the video games or music videos that most teens play/watch. So when I found out that the trilogy made the challenged list I was surprised.
The ending was completely satisfying and sweet without giving me a toothache. It was perfectly underwhelming with people still working on themselves. I can probably dissect each chapter and maybe I will someday, when D finally reads it or if the K’s ever would be willing! I think this is a series that I could revisit again and again, and I’m happy that it’s not dated and my kids will be able to read it and hopefully enjoy it.
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