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In the post-apocalyptic world of the country of Panem, where the countries of North America once existed, a highly advanced metropolis, the Capitol, holds absolute power over the poorer districts of the nation. The former thirteenth district had acted out in rebellion, so the Hunger Games, an annual event, was created as a punishment. The Hunger Games requires two tributes: one boy and one girl, aged twelve to eighteen, from each of the twelve remaining districts surrounding the Capitol to compete in a televised. They fight in an outdoor arena controlled by the Capitol. The contestants are chosen randomly against the potential contestants’ will. The last boy or girl alive wins.
The story follows sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen from District 12 who volunteers to take her sister’s place in the seventy-fourth Hunger Games. She leaves behind her widowed mother, her little sister, Primrose, and her best friend, Gale. Also chosen from District 12 is Peeta Mellark, the baker’s son who had secretly helped Katniss’s family in the past when they were starving. Katniss and Peeta quickly assume the role of “star-crossed lovers” in subtle hopes of altering the rules of the game. Katniss cleverly plays along with the manipulative tricks of the Hunger Games; she relies on her well-practiced hunting and survival skills and openly expresses her disgust towards the Capitol, and never once lets them have complete control over her. She makes some friends and allies along the way, although in the end, it all comes down to one simple choice made by “the Girl on Fire.”
I have been a fan of The Hunger Games for quite a long time. I read it around the time the second book in the trilogy was published in 2009. I will admit, at first I did not think I would enjoy this novel. I had never read any futuristic/post-apocalyptic books before, and I really wasn’t sure what to expect. But after I finished the book in less than a few days, my opinion changed. And now, almost three years later, I can say that The Hunger Games novels hold a special place in my heart.
While exploring very prevalent issues such as poverty, starvation, oppression, and war, The Hunger Games also develops an abundance of strong main characters. I think Katniss and Peeta should be viewed as role models. Katniss is tough, clever, and rebellious. She doesn’t let the Capitol control her and fights for what she thinks is right. Peeta is loyal, trustworthy and strong. He always stands by Katniss’s side, yet knows how to think and fight for himself too. Both of their personalities go greatly together and create wonderful main characters.
This whole series definitely appeals to a wide variety of readers. I think anyone of any age or gender will enjoy this book. It is fast paced and addictive, has a futuristic element, violence, fighting and action, yet also contains a little romance. It is the perfect mix. The journey of reading The Hunger Games is a poignant one. It is filled with disbelief, joy, anger, and suspense – all within 384 pages.
Furthermore, I am very pleased with who was chosen to play Katniss, Peeta and Gale for the movie. When I first heard rumors that a movie was in the process of production, I couldn’t picture who could possibly play any of the characters from this novel. Now, though, I think Jennifer Lawrence (also in X-Men: First Class) looks exactly how I had pictured Katniss while reading the book. And at first, I didn’t really like Josh Hutcherson for the role of Peeta. He had been in movies like The Bridge to Terabithia, Journey to the Center of the Earth, and Zathura. But after watching the trailer a couple times and seeing some movie clips on TV, I think he will do the character justice. Gale is played by Liam Hemsworth, who was in The Last Song along with Miley Cyrus. Other characters include Woody Harrelson as Hatmitch Abernathy, Willow Shields as Primrose, and Amandla Stenberg as Rue.
The action-packed Hunger Games trilogy is completed with the books Catching Fire and Mockingjay, which are just as good as the first one. The Hunger Games movie is in theaters on March 23.