The Hunger Games

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On March 23rd, the highly anticipated movie, “The Hunger Games”, will hit theaters.  I must admit that I knew nothing of the books before the movie was announced–––but I have since read the first and second books, am currently reading the last, and am now eagerly awaiting the movie?

This movie has been marketed in a way which seems to suggest it is nothing more than the next “Twilight”, nothing more than attempt to fill in the space left by the ending of one franchise, and I fear that some will not give the series a chance because of this.  While I cannot speak for a movie which I have not seen yet, I can vouch for the book, and hope that the movie holds true to the amazing tale which Suzanne Collins presents in the book.

While both “The Hunger Games” and “Twilight” are “Young Adult” books, both feature a female lead, and both have a prominent love triangle, this is where the similarity ends.  ”The Hunger Games”, is dark and relentless in its tale of children forced to take part in a game to the death, televised for what’s left of the world to watch; a world ruled by the all-powerful Capitol.

Suzan Collins launches you into a world where one’s life is cherished, yet everyone has become ok with the idea of others’ deaths and, if necessary, they are prepared to take the life of another.  It is a world which seems devoid of hope and love.  A world where children are taken from their families, placed in an arena, and forced to violently pursue and murder one another.

Suzan Collins successfully achieves making you feel the weight of the violence, the brutality of what the kids are put through, the hopeless feeling of everyday life within the world of the book, and creating within the reader a hatred for the Capitol which is on par with the main character.  However, Collins does so without crossing a line of being grotesque.  Though there is no denying the violent nature of the book, Collins masterfully expresses the true horror and brutality through the psychological impact it is having on the main character, rather than relying on graphic descriptions of the violence itself.

“The Hunger Games”, is not simply the next “Twilight”, but a powerful story of life, survival, discovering hope, and the ever present possibility of Revolution.  The main character, Katniss Everdeen, is a complex character, taking the reader through her deep, and wide, range of thoughts and emotions, as she searches for where she fits in a world filled with such horror; and the reader experiences Katniss’ doubts over her motives for the choices she makes, and her inner struggle as she is reluctantly pushed toward being a hero.

I would highly recommend giving the book a try, and I will be in line to see the movie as soon as possible.  I can’t yet speak for the movie, but I do believe that the book will surprise you.  It is one which is hard to put down, and the only disappointment is that it must reach an end (though take comfort in knowing you still have books two and three to read).

I know that these books have been around a while, and that I am late to jump on the bandwagon, but if you haven’t given these books a try, strongly consider joining us.

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