The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1) in YA and Beyond

Apr 21, 2011 Josh Barkey rated it liked it

Every once in a while I try to read a little pop fiction, just to see what's making the masses lose their collective heads. So, after a friend raved about this book and one of my students asked my advice on the best way to sneak onto a movie set (they're shooting the film adaptation of The Hunger Games in Charlotte this summer), I decided to give it a whirl, a whirl made extra-easy by the fact that days later I found it on sale on a thrift-store bookshelf for a grand total of fifty cents. It was Every once in a while I try to read a little pop fiction, just to see what's making the masses lose their collective heads. So, after a friend raved about this book and one of my students asked my advice on the best way to sneak onto a movie set (they're shooting the film adaptation of The Hunger Games in Charlotte this summer), I decided to give it a whirl, a whirl made extra-easy by the fact that days later I found it on sale on a thrift-store bookshelf for a grand total of fifty cents. It was worth it, too.

Unlike that Harry Potter thing and especially the Twilight thing, I actually found this book fairly readable. It's pop fiction, sure, but not badly-written pop fiction, which is always a nice surprise. Still, there are a few less-than-noble reasons why, I think, people like it so much. First and foremost, there's the fact that the heroine is described repeatedly as being both unbelievably good looking, and also blissfully unaware that every man who ever meets her wants to jump her bones. People like that kind of heroine. They also like it when she can unfailingly shoot squirrels through the eyeballs with a bow and arrow.

The premise of the book is grotesque: take a bunch of kids, put them in an arena, and make them fight to the death. I guess this is another reason why it is so popular - we're really not all that far removed from Ancient Rome, with their grisly coliseum "games." I have no idea how they're going to make this into a movie and preserve the PG-13 rating they'll need so that the raving teeny-boppers can make it a box office smash, because it really and truly is grotesque.

That is why, I think, this book is best read as some sort of allegorical critique of modern society. Like "Lord of the Flies," only flipped, because in this one the dominant society is actively forcing the children to become monsters, something they (sort of) resist. Still, you get a sense that Collins has researched her primitive world well - that she really knows a little something about what it takes to survive in the American wilderness. Although it is a dystopia, her love of wild things and dislike/distrust of the plasticity of modern, consumer society and what it tries to do to children is commendable.

It's an engaging story - a real page-turner - and the sort of thing that makes a welcome break from the three other, more academic books that I am currently reading.

I guess the only question now is, where do I sign up to be an extra? ...more

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Jul 20, 2018 birar rose rated it did not like it

i dislike this book and all the others im sorry but i hate the idea of children like this book about children kill another for grown-up fun and pre-teen and teen see nothing wrong with the books

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Mar 02, 2011 Lori Goldstein rated it it was amazing

It's just a fast-paced, well-told story. Great read. Holds up on a second read, which I just did. ...more

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Aug 31, 2010 Jen Halligan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

Oh my. I just finished this book and now I want to go out and buy the second one. Now. I don't think I can wait till it comes in a the library. I couldn't put it down, and stayed up into the wee morning hours reading the past 2 nights.

I was appalled at first by the premise of the book - how the government puts on a game show where kids are chosen as tributes by drawing names out of a bowl. The tributes are then put in an arena and forced to hunt each other down and be the last survivor on live ...more

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Mar 09, 2010 Brittany (finally graduated and can once again read for fun) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2010, if-you-don-t-own-it-you-should, ya-my-first-love

Definitely a new favorite, Book #1 in The Hunger Games series will leave you coming back for more. The characters are well developed and likable, the plot is easy to understand, and the battle that ensues is excellent and full of action. I would recommend this book for adults and YA readers alike. Younger readers beware due to strong violence. Bottom line: Collins weaves a brilliant world with interesting characters and a straightforward commentary on today's society and where that could take us ...more

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Oct 09, 2010 Christie rated it really liked it

Shelves: library, series, ya

At first I was not sure what I thought of this book. But it seemed that every time I thought of putting it down Suzanne dropped a bomb that had me aching for more. You were able to relate to the characters and you felt for them in their situation. You laughed, cried, wanted to help or hurt others along with the characters in the book. You felt love and heart break...begging the question what will happen next...now that the truth is out. Can't wait for the second...which just came in form the lib ...more

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May 17, 2010 Falling for Books (Tia) rated it it was amazing

I really liked this book. It was unlike any other book I have read before. It kept me entertained the whole way through. I look forward to reading Catching Fire.

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Jan 15, 2011 Sarah rated it it was amazing

Oh my gosh, this book really is amazing. I've been wanting to read it for a while but I was afraid it wouldn't meet my expectations. Boy, was I wrong! I think I like Katniss even more than I liked Tally from Uglies. I'm excited tio read the other two books. :) ...more

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Oct 11, 2010 Janet rated it it was amazing

Shelves: young-adult

Quick, amazing read. I could not put this book down, or wait to read the next 2 books in the series. I fell in love the Katniss and really wanted her to survive. This book also made me think about our society and how it is like the world Katniss lives in at times.

Very powerful book. One everyone should read.

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Oct 11, 2010 Darcie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: rate-5, 2012-read, kindle

Awesome!! Can't wait to read the next one!! I read this in the read-a-thon and it was the perfect book to read because I couldn't put it down!

Loved it the 2nd time as much as the first!!

Original Read: Oct 2010
Re-Read: March 2012 ...more

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