The Hunger Games

Out of the ashes of what was once North America, a new society has risen: Panem. The Capitol rules the twelve districts of Panem with an iron fist, reminding them brutally of their failed uprising. The districts of Panem vary widely in level of affluence, but regardless of affluence, each year, two teenagers, one boy and one girl, are chosen randomly from each district to participate in the Hunger Games, a gladiator-inspired event in which the tributes fight to the death.  

Of the twelve districts of Panem, District Twelve is the farthest from the Capitol, and poverty and starvation always loom. Katniss Everdeen, who lives in District Twelve with her mother and sister, has learned to hunt and gather outside the electric wires surrounding their district. Her hunting is illegal but is one of the means by which her family avoids starvation. When Katniss is chosen to participate in the Hunger Games, she is taken on journey of preparation, during which she meets a spectrum of interesting characters and experiences the level of wealth and prosperity that those living in the Capitol enjoy daily.

Capitol residents are exempt from participating in the Hunger Games. Instead, they look forward to it as the biggest thrill of the year. The Hunger Games are also required viewing for the rest of Panem. Reading about the excitement of those living in the Capitol for the Hunger Games raises questions about reality TV shows. What appeals to us about reality TV shows? How should we feel when we watch people humiliated, brought to tears, or physically harmed on TV? How desensitized does realty TV make us?

Katniss is a steely character whose soft side is only brought out by her little sister Prim. Through the Hunger Games, she is confronted with unexpected self-revelation: stirrings of questions about the Capitol, questions about herself, and of romance. Don’t let Katniss’s obvious character growth fool you, however. This book is action-packed, leaving readers with barely enough time to draw breath between plot twists.

Suzanne Collins tackles tough issues in The Hunger Games, such as severe poverty, starvation, oppression, and the intricacies and horrors of war. Though parts of the book are brutal (hardly avoidable, given the subject), Collins handles the scenes of violence with taste. A delightful melding of action, adventure, sci-fi, mythology, and romance ensure that this book will appeal to a wide variety of readers. Though this novel is definitely geared toward teens, adults will find enjoy this book and find much to mull over after they finish reading.

In the wake of The Hunger Games movie coming out, if you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend reading the book (first if possible)!