Hunger Games
by Suzanne Collins
This summer I read Scott Westerfeld’s Pretties/Uglies series and loved the fresh-take on storytelling in Young Adult novels. One member of our bookclub has been campaigning for Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games for a few months, and I wanted to quickly read it so I could get on to my Christmas break books! Perhaps it was my rush, or my glut of Westerfeld this summer, but these critically acclaimed YA novels didn’t make me immediately order the next in the series, as I did after reading The Uglies.
That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy the novel–I stayed up late trying to finish it last night, and did so this morning with my coffee. Another futuristic science fiction novel, the story line had many similarities to Westerfeld’s books: an individualistic, rebellious teen girl fights the constraints of a dystopian society. Katniss Everdeen offers herself up to take the place of her cherished little sister, Prim, when the youngster is chosen ala The Lottery to be a “tribute” (or participant) in the country’s Hunger Games. The games, apparently, were instituted some fifty years previously to control the populace with fear and intimidation. Each year, two tributes are chosen from each District and fight to the death in a wilderness arena. Katniss can’t bear the thought of the tender, naive Prim enduring such depravity and, even though their District has won only once, feels she stands something of a chance due to her experience as a hunter.
[spoiler alert]
What follows is a weeks’ long cat-and-mouse game between the twenty-four tributes. Of course, since Kat is the novel’s heroine, she does well in eluding the other participants. And since this is a young adult novel, there is the requisite love story between Kat and her District partner Peeta Mellark.. It is apparent that Peeta has been a long-time admirer of Kat’s, although she is oblivious to his affections. When their trainer suggests that they will stand a better chance of winning sponsorships and audience support if they act as star-crossed lovers, Katniss plays along. Or does she?
The cliff hanger must be a convention of YA series, and this one is no exception. And while I’m tempted to find out what happens to Kat and Peeta after they arrive home to Victory Village, this time I’m full, thank you very much.
Next up: Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier
This is my symphony 