I initially shied away from Suzanne Collin’s Hunger Games. I lumped this book into the Harry Potter/Twilight dystopian young
adult craze that seems to be sweeping the literary scene and since I considered
myself too old, too mature, and too sophisticated to enjoy this novel, it
failed to make it onto my to-read pile.
And then I just so happened to drop this book, along with a
dozen other random titles into my bag at the local used book sale. When I was looking for something easy
and fun to read, I picked up Hunger Games;
and now I hunger for more.
The ease of the language coupled with a suspenseful plot
created a book I did not and could not put down. The premise is simple: killed or be killed. Or at least that is the directive given
by the Capitol in its yearly ritual known as the Hunger games. Of course, what YA novel doesn’t
include a love triangle? Collin’s
doesn’t disappoint. Our female
protagonist, Katniss possesses killer instinct and loyalty. And despite the mandate of the
Games, a certain amount of empathy pervades Katniss’s actions. Peeta and Gale complete the triangle as
the love interests of Katniss.
While Gale stands by Katniss in the everyday fight for survival, Peeta
fights for Katniss and her acknowledgment of him. I’ll leave you with that.
Besides an enjoyable read, this novel also invokes questions
about social norms. Why does
society have such a savage desire to witness outright murder? Of course in the Hunger Games, this savagery
appears more conspicuous when our real human characters we’ve grown to love
fight each other. But is it
any better if we watch it on TV? I
appreciate Katniss’s view on this matter and wonder if this is Collin’s way of
making a statement.
And now to watch the movie. . . .and read the rest of the
series. Stay tuned!
