The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1) in Reading with Style

Nov 02, 2013 Tanya rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2013, ya-reads

I first read this four and a half years ago when it was new. It still holds up after watching the movie a few times and finishing the series. I've read many dystopian series and it feels like many are holding this as what constitutes a good series.
What I noticed more this go-around. First off-the politics. Since I am aware how this is going to end, I may have been looking for this. I did not remember that Peeta seems to be most aware of the Capitol's manipulation. Second-relationships. As I rea ...more

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Jun 29, 2015 Melissa rated it it was amazing

awesome book

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Apr 02, 2012 Lea rated it really liked it

Shelves: dystopia, young-adult

Definitely, this is not a story to be taken lightly. It's nerve-wracking; violent; and most importantly, out and out scary for the reader. I mean, try to comprehend teenagers running rampaged with the sole purpose of taking another's life. Their reasoning is not to fight for their rights (which would be anyway better to negotiate by other means). No, they are doing this because they have been commanded to do so with reprecussions hinted at for disobedience, some of them find glory in this sicken Definitely, this is not a story to be taken lightly. It's nerve-wracking; violent; and most importantly, out and out scary for the reader. I mean, try to comprehend teenagers running rampaged with the sole purpose of taking another's life. Their reasoning is not to fight for their rights (which would be anyway better to negotiate by other means). No, they are doing this because they have been commanded to do so with reprecussions hinted at for disobedience, some of them find glory in this sickening program, and because they'll eventually die if they don't eliminate others. What is especially disturbing is that this event is called a game. When I think of games, I think of soccer, monopoly, capture the flag, etc.- not a mass murder pit. This is now repeating Nero's wonderful antics and upgrading their horror by turning the victims on each other. There are definitely quite a few mentally distraught people in this story.

Now, I read dystopia for numerous reasons. One, the worlds are often more complex and decisions have more weight. It's interesting to see what a desperate person might decide upon doing. Second, just like the past, a look at a possible future can help people avoid a bad scenerio in reality. Third, I want to see how a person might drive themselves and inspire others when all seems lost. These are just a few to note. In summary, it's the unique character, setting, and plot that drives me to look at the world in a different way every time I read dystopia.

The Hunger Games' plot specializes in reality television. Honestly, reality television is definitely not something in my line. I simply don't have any interest in it. However, it's scary to see what it can become- even less interesting and more nuts. This book definitely carries a warning.

For the characters, I can sympathize with some of them to an extent. However, only to an extent. Peeta and Gale show heart and a wish to have a better society- a better world for themselves and those that they love. Katniss won't give in- she won't let anyone tell her that there is a limit to her resources, hope, and integrity. There are many others, who also stand up for those that they care for even at the expense of their lives. These are pretty strong characters for a world that literally strips you of everything you have- your life, class, materials, and personality. Nonetheless, I do not like mercy killing. Protecting yourself is one thing. However, such things should not be done unless necessary. Killing is killing is killing- and that's the truth and always will be.

So, if you can stomach some disturbing concepts and look closely at this book, you can probably come away with a handful of useful information and/or questions to think about. By no means is the book perfect, it has it's flaws. Yet, despite those flaws, it does send a message. On the most basic of levels, we can question: "Do we want such a society?" and answer, "No". Then, digging a little deeper, our next question should be along the line of: "Then what are we going to do about it? What can we do to change the world into a better place and remove every thought of corruption?" If we do this, we truly can be a little wiser, a little more active, and a little stronger. It just sometimes takes seeing the worst to appreciate the best.

Content advisory: many disturbing deaths, some sensual things (view spoiler), tons of drinking by one person particularly, and a possible suicide situation (nothing happens because plan works) ...more

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