20 February, 2012

#BookReview :: Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins #YoungAdult #Dystopia




The Hunger Games is the first book in a trilogy. It is followed by "Catching Fire" and "Mockingjay".

The background is set in post-apocalyptic USA --  only USA doesn't exist any more. Instead, a new nation called Panem, has taken its place. There are twelve districts in Panem and each district solely is dedicated to different requirement. For instance, District twelve is in charge of mining, another in agriculture, another in military, so on. They are ruled by the Capitol under strict rules and regulations. Their whole life, in some way or the other, is under control of the Capitol.

Each year the capitol hosts "The Hunger Games" where each district has to send in a boy and a girl, between the age of twelve and eighteen as 'tribute'. The twenty four participants are then taken to the Capitol and trained  in the art of survival. The game in itself is something like "The Survivor" -- only the eliminations are in way of death! Katniss Everdeen, is a sixteen year old girl from district twelve and our protagonist. When her sister Primrose Everdeen (Prim for short) is selected as a Tribute, she volunteers to be the tribute in order to save her twelve year old sister. The other Tribute is Peeta Mellark, the Bakers son of district twelve.


The story then revolves around the Hunger Games, Katniss and Peeta. We are shown glimpses of life at the Capitol, the bureaucratic section of Panem and of the other districts through their Tributes. The Games itself is designed to test everyone's survival skills. Only the toughest and the shrewdest can survive. But as the story progresses, the readers realise that the Capitol has ulterior motives behind holding the Games every year. What Motives? You have to read the book for it.


Katniss Everdeen, is our protagonist. But I have to admit it - I don't like her much. She is stubborn and very slow at picking up things. Whether at the games or in her life at district twelve, she wants things to be done her way and often fails to understand that some of the people around her loves her and are doing things for her well being. She is also very much confused about her own feelings and is damn impulsive. Her only redeeming quality is that she truly loves and cares for her family, specially her sister Prim.


Peter Mellark is our hero of the story. Though he is meant to a support system to Katniss, his character emerges as strong and confident. As a reader you will not be able to help but feel his triumphs, disappointments and every other emotion that he feels. He turns out to be the strength of not only Katniss but also the whole story.


Gail Hawthorne is an eighteen year old from district twelve. He is Katniss's friend. Common heartbreak and situation had brought them together. Together they have learned to survive under the Capitol's cruel rule. They have a strong bond between them and with each other's family. Gail doesn't have much role in the first book, but slowly develops from the second part.


The authors style of narrating the story is simply great. It keeps you hooked onto the story and keeps you wondering - whats next!






19 comments:

  1. The Hunger Games is my first book love. Though I understand why some people find Katniss unlikable, I love her for being so realistic and flawed. :D

    ReplyDelete
  2. I adored this book... I just couldn't put it down! Unfortunately I missed the movie at the cinema but pre-ordered the DVD months ago. I'm so excited now because I just an email from Amazon UK saying that it's on its way!! YAY!! Can't wait!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I completely loved this book. It was one of the few that match my expectations after all the good reviews. I literally couldn't put this thing down. I read it in one sitting, spending the whole night awake and then in the morning I started Catching Fire. That excited I was about this book. About Katniss, I don't know, I get what you say she's like really REALLY slow at picking up things, like Peeta's feelings. It's like you scream at her in frustration because she could not see what's in front of her even if her life is depending on it (which it is, at the end).
    But aside from that, I think is a good character I could relate with her and her stubbornness.
    Great review, thanks for sharing your thoughts.

    ReplyDelete
  4. i really liked this book-haven't seen the movie yet but hope to soon. It's pretty fast paced and it great for YA and adults!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am really sure that this is my type of book - I thought I might try the movie first and see how that went

    ReplyDelete
  6. I loved both the books and the movie! I can't wait until Catching Fire comes out in theaters to see if it was done as well as the first.

    By the way, I'm a new follower but I just wanted to say I really love your blog so far and the design of it. :D

    ReplyDelete
  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank You For Telling Me About The Book
    Hunger Games By Suzanne Collins.
    I Would Like To Read This Then Watch The Movie.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I've read The Hunger Games Trilogy and found it to be one of my most favorite sci-fi, post-apocalypse themed novels. I wish it was more than a trilogy though. The plot is so addictive. The end came too soon for me!

    As for the movie adaptation, I loved it. It came pretty close to the bok, plus some of the characters in the movie were actually fans of the trilogy. If I'm not mistaken, they were Elizabeth Banks (as Effie Trinket) and Isablle Fuhrman (as Clove).

    ReplyDelete
  10. I found that while I enjoyed reading the books I was not able to sit through the movie. Thoughts?

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thank you so much for your informative and insightful review. I have herd so much about The Hunger Games (both the books and the film), but sadly have not read or seen either and so i really did want to know more about it.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I both loved the book and the movie. I really don't understand why most of us disagrees on what they did with the movie. I thought they did it good. I know that there are some left out scenes and characters, it didn't affect the whole thing.

    ReplyDelete
  13. This was the first dystopian novel I've read and it got me totally hooked. I think whats really great about it is that it appeals to a vast audience and initiates intelligent conversation about issues that really matter.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great review! I agree with some of your comments about Katniss but in the end, her bravery and loyalty to her family and friends made me like her! I loved all of the books in this series and they got me hooked on dystopians.

    Suz Reads

    ReplyDelete
  15. This book caught me completely off guard! I read it on a whim and couldn't stop until I finished all three. I am excited that so many young adult books are becoming movies; I think it's a great way to get our young people reading.
    Dede

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hunger Games just blew me away.. i count stop reading it and it started my love of dystopian novels.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Loved this book. Thanks for the review!

    ReplyDelete
  18. i have this on my to read list. i saw the movie but i am firm believer that book will usually trump the movie!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh, I better watch out to not get annoyed with Katniss' stubbornness. :D I just bought the box set and will start on the first book soo. I am so far behind! I watched the movie but I did not like it. I hope the book's better. :)

    ReplyDelete