The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)

by Suzanne Collins

[girlinthepages]

I finally gave in and read this book, hearing everyone rave and recommend them, even people who did not normally enjoy reading. I decided to give the series a chance, reading with an open mind, yet my expectations were still inflated from all of the hype surrounding the series.

***May contain mild spoilers***

It was a quick read. Not overly long or overly sophisticated. There is a clear dystopian post-apocalyptic society feel to the book (and the fact that it takes place "in what used to be North America") yet I was disappointed that this was not elaborated upon though, not even a reference to an explosion, or a light, etc. The set up of their society with the 12 Districts, each of which specializes in an industry, is actually quite interesting and the world of the Capitol seems like an almost caricature-like version of our modern world today. Instances like this provide a deeper layer of meaning for readers who are reading between the lines, and allow for the book to appeal to a more sophisticated audience. Such as the whole premise of the Hunger Games is so much more than a competition. I found Haymitch's character as one of the most complex: written off as a previous victor of the games gone to seed, a bum and an alcoholic, it's clear that he has been unable to mentally leave the arena after all these years, that winning the games may actually be the crueler fate rather than dying, because then you are forced to live the rest of your life with the weight of what went on, and there's no escaping it. A way the Capitol manages to still win and oppress even over the "victor" of the competition that is supposed to remind the Districts that they are at the Capitol's mercy.

I didn't care much for the romance aspect of the story. As the series progresses it is clear that love triangles are going to arrive and play a major role, yet I felt that in the first book it was rather shallow and contrived (and I do know that this was partly due to intent) but I feel like Peeta's character was not given enough depth for me to take a real interest in his supposed "feelings" for Katniss. Gale seemed to be given much more depth in the few beginning chapters than Peeta was the whole book- and frankly it annoyed me that he was pretty much helpless in the arena. I'm all for heroines not needing a man to save them and what not but it does become annoying for the roles to be so dramatically reversed that the heroine always have to do the saving.

The game scenes themselves were interesting, graphic yes but what else is to be expected on the premise of which the book is based on? I felt an instant liking and connection with some characters, like Rue, which was a nice change from the either depth less or frustratingly impassive and only obligatory feeling of camaraderie with the main character, Katniss.

While the first book was not my favorite, I am actually excited more for the prospect of the second book and the rest of the series, which set up for much deeper themes such as corrupt governments, questioning authority, political turmoil, human rights violations, and all kinds of oppressions. I feel that while not my favorite book, the second and third will raise my opinions from the very real and intense issues that are going to arise: in my opinion the last few pages in the book were the best, setting up a premise for a more intellectual plotline and conflicts as opposed to the brutality of the games. As Katniss says, the most dangerous part of the games have just begun.

All in all I can see where this book appeals to those who are not usually readers, easily captivating entertainment. But there are also deeper themes that boil in an undercurrent of the series waiting to be discovered by the serious reader, the intellectually driven. All in all, I'd say pick up the book but expect to have to look for the true worth of the book in the deeper themes at the end, which show promise for the rest of the series.

May the odds ever be in your favor.