It's weird reading a book when you know from almost the very start how it's going to pan out. You know, simply because it's written in first person by...moreIt's weird reading a book when you know from almost the very start how it's going to pan out. You know, simply because it's written in first person by one of the characters, that she is going to be ok, in a game where apparently only one person survives. So potentially this book could have been very boring, knowing the ending already all the way through, but it's not. In fact, at times, it does get riveting, because you don't know in advance how Katniss overcomes her obstacles, especially given that she seems to be quite different from the other competitors, or "tributes".
I didn't sympathise with Katniss much. Didn't like her much either. She had a lot of guts, and was mighty skilled with her bow and arrow, and she was mature beyond her years from having to feed her family and take care of her little sister when their mother broke down. So she had all these good qualities but even so, I just didn't like her. Mind you, apart from Rue, I don't think I liked any of the characters. However what impressed me most about her, and what kept me going in the book, was her desire to rebel against the Capital, against the Hunger Games. This was somewhat satisfied at the end but nowhere near what I was after, so looks like I'm going to have to read the two sequels to get my rebellion action. And I will.
But the thing about the book that struck me as intelligent and meaningful was its comment about society. There are so many parallels about how we live in western society in the 21st century.
For starters, the people running the Hunger Games could have been any TV producer / Hollywood types. They are so desperate to make money in the entertainment industry, they're happy to exploit disadvantaged people (ie the starving teenagers from the Districts) and put them into lavish costumes, feed them lavish feasts and then award them with money to last them a lifetime if they win, just to entertain the masses. Already I'm comparing this to Big Brother, Idol, and any reality show.
Even more so I'm thinking of shows like Hoarders, Embarrassing Bodies and Snog Marry Avoid and many others where you get people who are somewhat mentally ill, physically sick, and obsessive types getting themselves on TV for some kind of monetary benefit, and of course the producers of these shows who make their living out of them.
Even further, I then think about real-life disasters, like when there's a car crash or somebody drowns, or flooding, fires and other natural disasters, and there's always some idiot who stands there filming it rather than helping out with a rescue, just so their footage can get paid for and used on the TV. And its the masses like us who absolutely devour that sort of footage. These victims don't get a say, they don't even get paid for it, but they're being exploited and people are making money out of their situations. Same goes for other mass media including newspapers. It's not the media owners who are the only exploiters, it's the consumers of media, ie us, who watch it and apparently can never get enough of it.
This is really a story about positive thinking, the joy of nature and the outdoors, and what happens when you neglect children. Although after finishi...moreThis is really a story about positive thinking, the joy of nature and the outdoors, and what happens when you neglect children. Although after finishing it I'm really inspired to go and do a bit of weeding in the garden!
Loved the charm of the story, but four stars because it didn't grip me and you kinda know where it's going.(less)
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