Book of the Film ~ The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

 

Until September 2011, I had never heard of The Hunger Games Trilogy, but when on the recommendation of a friend, and it must be said a vastly reduced kindle price, I decided to give it a go...

I wasn't surprised to find that it was a fast paced and gutsy novel, my friend told me it was one to watch out for, but what did astonish me was the ease of writing, and how the dystopian world of Panem, was brought to life in such a vivid, and truly terrifying way.

At the time of reading the novel,  I was caught up in the annual UK excitement of watching auditions for the X-factor, and what really struck a chord, was the similarities between The Hunger Games, and this talent competition.. Alright, I know Simon Cowell wouldn't make his contestants fight to the death on live TV, but the destructive tactics of the television talent show, emphasised the pressure put upon these young people to "perform", and the voyeuristic element of The Hunger Games is encapsulated when watching an X factor live show.

The Hunger Games, the movie had it's European Premier at the O2 in London yesterday, and is set to break all box office records. Initially, categorised in the same group of young adult movies, as Twilight and Harry Potter, this story is about as different from those two books, as chalk is to cheese.

If you haven't read the book - give yourself a treat - and then go see the movie - it's on general release from 23 March 2012.

Catching Fire and Mockingjay complete the trilogy of books.




This is my initial review of  The Hunger Games from 29 September 2011.

 The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
jaffa's rating 5paws

Set sometime in the future, in the dystopian society of Panem, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take her sister's place when she is selected to represent her district in the annual Hunger Games. Katniss is pitted against other youngsters who must use their wit and cunning in order to survive.

The premise of the book should be off putting - young people selected to fight to the death on live television isn't something I would normally choose to read, however, this book captures your imagination from the opening page and carries you along in a tidal stream of events.

Whilst reading the book I was reminded forcibly of Reality TV shows like X-factor and American Idol, and whilst we don't encourage young people to fight to the death on live television, we do as a society  "enjoy" and actively encourage the cut-throat world of competitive combat live on our TV screens.

Maybe this book should act as a salutary warning.

If you enjoyed The Hunger Games and you like reading books about dystopian societies , I also highly  recommend:

Never Let me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro