Monday 6 August 2012

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins


Title: The Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Page Count: 374
Publication Date: October 31st 2008

Synopsis:

Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone out to make sure you don't live to see the morning? In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

What I Thought:

Through the eyes of 16 year old Katniss Everdeen, we learn about a land called Panem – formerly known as North America. A country set in a dystopian world in the not-too-distant future where we learn how the past and future generations have failed to be civil.

One boy; one girl, selected at random from each of the twelve districts are pitted against each other in arenas to fight to the death until there’s only one left standing. An event created purely for the enjoyment of the Capitol... and to keep the districts in their place.

The drama, the brutality, the romance, what’s not to like? There isn’t much that Collins failed to write. If anything there is moderate lack of humour, not entirely lost from the book but when it is present most of it can hardly be described as anything except sombre. Although considering the serious storyline a touch of light-hearted humour here and there might go amiss as we delve further into the story. We are instantly launched into Katniss’ life as she find out how her sister Prim will be their district’s female tribute that year in the Hunger Games. Knowing that the twelve year old was effectively being sent to her death due to her small, wiry stature and wouldn’t stand a chance Katniss steps up to the challenge.

This is everything you could ask for in a book, seriously if you haven’t read it, what are you waiting for.

Rating: 5/5

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