The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Hunger Games
Book Review: A Brutal Postapocalyptic Adventure
Summary: 4 Stars
Before wrapping The Hunger Games as a Christmas present for my daughter-in-law, I read a few pages of it, and was instantly intrigued. However, the book is labeled on the shelf at Wal-Mart as for "Young Adults," and as a 57-year-old man, I wondered if it could sustain my interest beyond those few pages. Phenomenal sales aren't necessarily an indication of anything, but I love dystopian fiction, and so I sprung for my own copy, thinking there might be something to it. Well, Collins managed to keep it constantly interesting, and I ripped through it. Considering the brutality of the setup, Collins was careful to limit her heroine's capacity to kill in the arena, framing it instead as an innocent extension of her survival instincts, while depicting the villains as relishing participation. By fleshing out her characters in this fashion, you had people you could root for and others you booed against.
Collins begins with a few scenes from Katniss' life in the district, where the reader is supplied with a bit of history and descriptions of the current social strata. Participation in the annual games is mandatory according to a wealthy ruthless elite living in the splendorous Capitol. Contestants are picked from the oppressed and abject districts (a teen-aged boy and girl from each) by a ceremonial lottery, that's ballyhooed on television with lots of fanfare. The contestants are treated like stars, and the pampering and coiffing begin immediately during the train ride, which works also as a press junket, to the city. All of the contestants are formally introduced to the public in a live pageant, with grand entrances in sensational costumes. Once the games begin, the audience watches the event live via cameras placed throughout an arena of thick forest, streams, fields, a plateau, and so on. Over several days, as the games progress and some of the teenagers die, sponsors are lined up for their favorite contestants and bets are placed. Sponsors sometimes provide gifts that might help their favorite contestant, so a contestant has to be a bit savvy. The last contestant standing will return to his or her district relatively wealthy. Here's where conflict comes in for Katniss: The other contestant, Peeta, from her district is a boy she knew nearly all of her young life, and one who'd shown her compassion back home at a very desperate time. To avoid spoiling anymore surprises, I can sum it up by saying that Collins introduces a lot of cool stuff that had me turning the pages. There was a clever twist to the ending, resolving the central conflict in a rewarding way.
There's not a lot of emotional subtlety here, but if you need more depth, there's a level of moral complexity that makes it a worthwhile read. But for the most part, this was a FUN read. It's escapist literature, simply crafted, using the rule Kurt Vonnegut stated was the purpose of a good writer: To make the task of the reader as simple as possible. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I intend to buy the next two books in the trilogy, Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games) and Mockingjay (The Final Book of The Hunger Games), in hardcover editions. And when my grandson -- who's now in the third grade -- shows interest in books like these (right now he's into graphic novels), I'll pass them down to him. The set will make a nice gift and we'll have fun discussing them.
A Cornucopia of reasons to read this book.
Summary: 4 Stars Take the best parts of "Theseus and he Minotaur", "The Running Man", "Uglies," "Brave New World," and a few other dystopian novels, mash 'em up, and you've got The Hunger Games. Few writers can hurtle though a story this intense without overworking certain scenes, giving away the climax, or confusing the reader, but Suzanne Collins balances brutality, social commentary, and the coming of age angle as precisely as her reluctant protagonist. I am halfway through the sequel and it is every bit as good, if not better, so this is a storyline worth your time, and I highly recommend it for readers of all ages.
Book Review: A Different Read
Summary: 5 Stars
Downloaded this book on my kindle by mistake. Started reading and could not put it down. A different kind of read for me, but well worth it. The writing was superb, the descriptions(characters and scenes) actually let your see them, the plot very credible and most importantly unpredictable. With too many books I have read lately, it has been easy to ascertain what is next and most of the time be correct; not so with this one. I found myself rooting for the final team almost out loud. I recommend it for fiction readers who want a new/different spin.Book Review: A Fantastic Suprise!
Summary: 5 Stars
The Hunger Games
Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games)
This is a book I never would have picked up unless a friend insisted. It was a slow start for me but once I got to the third or fourth chapter I could not put it down!! Catching Fire (Second Book) was equally captivating and I can't wait until the third book comes out next month.
I even had my book club members read it and they all LOVED it as well, even those extremely reluctant to do so.
Worth stepping outside my normal genre!
Book Review: A Fight to the Finish
Summary: 5 Stars
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is a science fiction , adventure novel all the way. District Twelve is a small area of land along the Seam, with eleven other districts. Yet it is Katniss Everdeen's, Peeta the bread boy's, and Gale the hunter's "hometown". When Katniss' little sister Primrose, gets picked at a reaping ceremony, Katniss volunteers to take her place. Now Katniss, Peeta, and one boy and one girl from the eleven other districts must fight to the death with one winner and twenty-three newly dead losers.(or so they thought)With an anxious train ride, an awkward capitol city, and shocking yet helpful arena, Katniss must keep herself alive, and ignore her ever-growing love, hatred, and desired protection toward Peeta. At the same time she must forget her other love of Gale. Whoever loves a dramatic love story, and a twisted war book, will learn that you should always remember the ones who mean the most to you. You will experience the thrill of being locked in an arena with no... way... out...