September 04, 2011

Review - "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

Genre: YA, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

This is the first book of the Hunger Games trilogy. It introduces sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives in a post-apocalyptic world in the country of Panem where North America once existed. This is where a government working in a central city called the Capitol holds power. 

In the book, the Hunger Games are an annual televised event where the Capitol chooses one boy and one girl from each of 12 districts to fight to the death. The Hunger Games exist to demonstrate that not even children are beyond the reach of the Capitol's jurisdiction. 

Katniss, from what was once Appalachia, offers to take the place of her sister in the Hunger Games, but after this ultimate sacrifice, she is entirely focused on survival at any cost. It is her teammate, Peeta, who recognizes the importance of holding on to one's humanity in such inhuman circumstances. 

I don't want to spoil for those of you you haven't read the series, so I will not get into details of what's happening in the games. Children fight and they die. Some are good, some are bad and a few are even worse. You will not be able to put this one down for sure..


A film teaser based on the book - yes, I do look forward to this movie!



My evaluation

No way around this - the book is brutal! Young people that are forced to kill each other to survive cannot be anything else. Despite of all the suffering, Collins manages the unbelievable - to write an enthralling story which is very alive with people who cares for each other. It's a book about fighting to death, but it is also a story about love, compassion and thoughtfulness. 

You should definately read this book! The language is lovely, the main character Katniss is a strong, honest and resourceful girl, the surroundings are brutal - yes, but described with care. The violence is neither exaggerated nor disregarded. This is a strong story that got me thinking. How far can a human person go to survive without destroing himself in the process?


My rating


of 5 - and strong one too!


Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 482 KB
Print Length: 384 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0439023483
Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks; 1st edition (September 1, 2009)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
Language: English
ASIN: B002MQYOFW




 Pic of the day: Sea weed from one of the Norwegian fjords

 

1 comment:

  1. You have a great blog going here! I'm now a follower!
    C

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...