I love this book, it is so amazing. It’s a science fiction novel meant for young adults, but I would recommend it to anybody!
Hunger Games is very much a social commentary. Suzanne Collins has stated that part of the story is based on the TV show Survivor. Ever since then I have not been able to watch any reality TV without thinking about this book. Even watching the Olympics, with the opening ceremonies remind me of the opening ceremonies of the Hunger Games.
Yes, it is another post apocalyptic, revolutionary novel. It’s another great post apocalyptic, revolutionary novel. It will have you captivated within pages. I fell in love with the independent, smart, and quiet lead character Katniss in moments. Her name comes from the name of a plant, one that her dad used to gather in order to feed their family. Katniss’s family lives in one of the 12 remaining districts ruled by the Capitol. In her district, they are the coal miners, and one of the poorest of the 12 districts.
Katniss lives only with her mother and little sister, Primrose. Her father was killed in a mining accident a few years before. Her mother fell into a deep depression, and Katniss was left to feed herself and her family. In order to get extra food for her family, Katniss breaks the law to hunt in the grounds outside of the fences that keep the boundaries of her community. She could be killed for going outside the fence, but her and her best friend Gale take that risk for their families every day. Why? Because if they don’t their families will die.
This takes place where the United States once stood. Katniss’s district is in the Appalachian Mountains, while the Capitol is in the Rockies. A revolution had happened 74 years prior where the original 13 districts rose up against the capital. The capitol was able to squash the rebellion by dropping a nuclear bomb on District 13. To remind the remaining districts to never revolt again, the Capitol has the Hunger Games. The Hunger Games occur every year. Each district must give two of their children, ages 12 to 18, to play in the Hunger Games. These 2 children are chosen by a drawing called the Reaping.
The reaping and the games that follow engulfed my life while I read the book. I thought a lot about the capitol and how their vanity and greed played a part in how I see many people behave around me. I thought about it while I wasn’t reading it, I found situations that related to the hunger games, and even watching tv was impossible without thinking about it. I sound obsessed! But truthfully I think it’s such a great book, that you will find yourself obsessed as well.
It’s a great book for you to read, it’s a great book for your children to read. It’s appropriate for kids and teenagers while still approaching a very grown up topic, but it is also just a story on many levels without the agenda or message taking up the focus of the book. I found Suzanne Collins to be enormously talented. The next book we’ll review is the sequal to Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and I hope you’ll read both and get in line with me to wait for the next release of Mocking Jay this summer on August 24.
A+
Limited Sexual to No Sexual Content: some kissing
Limited to No Foul Language
Moderate Violence: limited description
Some Drinking, No Drugs or Smoking
Age Recommendation: 12+
This book was amazing. Having read it upon recommendation from Amy, i picked it up and never put it down, in fact, put other books I was reading in rotation on hold to read it. Cleared this book in a single day. Excellent recommendation, excellent book!
I see the rating mavens gave this an age 12+ rating, but as for me and my kids, we’ll go with 8+ on the bedtime story-reading scale (in fact, most books are okay for younger audiences when there is an adult reading them who can act as censor when necessary, but more importantly who can act as a mediator for more difficult themes and ideas).
I decided to read this novel based upon this review. I generally like science fiction stories, especially those involving the genius of kids, and this seemed like a good fit. I was completely satisfied! Katniss has the wonderful quality of thinking beyond her years, of showing adult calculation with God-given wisdom and love of humanity. She herself has not partaken of the crimes against humanity that are being thoroughly described by author Suzanne Collins except as a defender. For those who passively think that nothing is worth fighting for, that war is silly, and that any social outcome is better than actually fighting for your rights and liberty itself, this story demonstrates that Katniss accepts her lot and drinks the bitter cup. But she fights for her mother and sisters and undeveloped love and a host of other societal rabble that has shown kindness to her it times past. But then, what would I know about that. I just turned 63 and realize there are too few real Katnisses in today’s generation. In short, I loved the book.
Wall Waterfall…
[...]below you’ll find the link to some sites that we think you should visit[...]…