Rated YA-MA discussion
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Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins
Yeah, Collins gets high marks in my book for how unsentimental she made Katniss and the tone of the series in general. With the success of YA series that are almost all sentiment, she could have been tempted to soften things up a bit. But she keeps Katniss sharp and hard and wary until it's okay for her not to be. Katniss is such a great character because of it.
One of my favorite things (I don't recall if it was in Catching Fire or in Mockingjay) was this scene in which Finnick is talking to Katniss and they are discussing the general suspicion that Katniss faked her feelings for Peeta, and Finnick tells her that he knew it wasn't fake when he saw her reaction to Peeta's heart stopping after he runs into that electric boundary. I think that was a brilliant way to illustrate the love Katniss felt for him, even if she didn't realize it at the time. She always needed Peeta. Her first freaking thought when his name is called is, "Anyone but him." It's not even anyone but him or Gale. Just anyone but Peeta. That was the point in the story when I knew that Peeta would be the love interest rather than Gale.
She paid attention to him her whole life. We know that much because she gave Haymitch details about him - just as many as Peeta gave Haymitch about her. I think she loved him ever since he gave her the bread. She probably never considered it because she was a kid. And then when the subject was brought up during the interviews, she probably did everything she could NOT to consider it because of their situation.
And I think that part of her reason for denying any feelings after the first game is because she didn't want to hurt Gale, because she suspected what he felt for her (he hinted at it before the reaping and Katniss sort of freaked out inwardly when he did). Her guilt eats at her when she's imagining Gale seeing her kiss Peeta on the TV. But I think it's more her suspicion of Gale's feelings for her that cause this guilt than any feelings she may have for Gale beyond friendship. She also doesn't react well when Gale kisses her that first time.
What all of that shows me is that it was always Peeta, deep down.
I also think that on top of not wanting to hurt Gale, I think that Katniss WANTED to love Gale like that. In her mind her and Gale made sense; they fit. And it was easier because they already had a relationship and because she cared about him. To admit that she didn't have those feelings for Gale was to basically ruin the relationship that they had and she was terrified of losing him. And Gale just proved those fears when he wouldn't speak to her after the first Hunger Games when the world thought her and Peeta were together.In the end it didn't matter. He made the decision easy for her, she didn't care about losing his friendship. She was free to just be with Peeta.
I just started the audio version of Hunger Games. After reading such good things about the series, I decided that it was time to read it. Since the library had it available for audio, that is what I got. I am in the very beginning and I like the way the reader reads. She does well with voices and I like that she reads at a leisurely pace. So far so good
Oh boy, Enjoy Connie.... Its an amazing journey.
Shell wrote: "Oh boy, Enjoy Connie.... Its an amazing journey."Yep. So far so good. I was delivering last night and got to listen to the first 3 discs. I am delivering again tonight and will be able to listen to more of it. I can't wait. I just want to drive around so I can listen to it. Now if I can only talk my Bingo ladies into listening to it while I drive them to Tampa lol
Sorry I'm late everyone!The Movie Tie-In reread is officially open. Has anyone started the reread? Does anyone have plans for seeing the movie?
I want to see the movie about a week after it comes out. That way some of the crazy dies down.
That's how I usually am, but some movies I have to go to opening night. I'm seeing the midnight show on the 22nd, with my Peetariffic shirt ready to go.
I'm seeing the movie definitely, but might not have time to re-read the book as I'm very busy this month :( I might squeeze in a quick flick through :D
haha, you can still come and chat with us!
I'm hoping to see the movie opening weekend, but yeah, no midnight showing for me either. My boyfriend and I have plans to listen to the second book on tape when we drive to LA next week - should be awesome!
I'm going to the midnight show too! We're buying the tshirts this weekend and I'm also gonna re-read the book.
I am definatelhy going to see the movie but not sure when :( I will have to arrange for a baby sitter which is a hassle ( not that my kids are aweful or anything just not used to mommy and daddy being away)I actually might go alone after they go to bed one night and leave hubby with them. He would be OK with that but I like going with him. I will start my reread this weekend :)
I've already read HG twice now, so I'll probably just skim read it sometime over the next couple of weeks and join in the conversation. I'm excited to see what we'll think of the movie. I hope to go opening weekend but won't go opening night. We'll probably do the latest possible showing on Saturday. Usually at our theater it's the one showing that isn't completely full.
I did manage to snag a free copy of
and the pictures actually show up well on my Nook. I've only read a few pages in it so far, but these were all interesting tidbits :Lionsgate was on board for the PG-13 version of the movie, not something full of blood and guts, but something more thematically driven.
Suzanne Collins had been in on the audition, and she was one of the first people to set Lawrence's mind at ease about the role. She drove it home to Lawrence that it didn't matter if people said she was too old or too blonde to play Katniss.
Suzanne's thoughts on Josh as Peeta : If Josh had been bright purple and had six foot wings and gave that audition, I'd have been like, 'Cast him! We can work around the wings!' He was that good.
Liam and Josh had a great chemistry training on set. They got to be very good friends during the training process.
Elizabeth Banks petitioned for the role of Effie. She says, "I called the everyone I knew the minute I heard they were making a movie of it. It was a dream of mine from the get-go."
Wendy F wrote: "with my Peetariffic shirt ready to go."GR demands pictures!
I think the casting is just about perfect. It's a big part of what makes me excited to go see it.My good friend Amanda has a 'Galetastic' shirt, and mine says 'Peetariffic'. I'll definitely take a picture and post it!
I'll be rereading, or at least skim-reading it. I have very high hopes for this movie.
Ok.. I'm not doing the re-read cos I seriously just 3 wks ago, read this book and I just finished the 3rd one yesterday.. That being said.. I'm lovin this discussion. I have to ask though, I wasnt too happy with their choice for Peeta for the film.. That's not how my mind's eye envisioned him. But I really do hope that who they chose plays his part well. What do you guys think?I so cant wait to see this film :)
Carina wrote: "Who hasn't heard of the Hunger Games right?From what I hear lots of people hated the last book, and even if it wasn't my favorite, I still liked it."
I loved the last book. Although the 1st will always be the best one. I thought the 3rd book was a very realistic close to the series, although there were a few things I didnt like about it. My least fave in the series was the second book.
Chris wrote: I hear a lot of people didn't like the way Katniss acted at the end of the trilogy, but I thought Collins portrayed Katniss's change of heart believably and with admirable restraint. It wouldn't be like Katniss to go all gooey over Peeta. But Gale really did take up the violent side of the rebels and Peeta was, as always, more gentle, and I think Katniss was really ready for that after all she'd been through. Plus, I got the feeling she'd loved Peeta for a long time but couldn't acknowledge that to herself, especially when she had to be so hard for the Games. One of the many things Collins did brilliantly was to have Katniss narrating her own story and telling us things about herself she didn't even realize.
Anyway, I'm seriously ramped for the movie.
Chris, this is exactly how I felt about why Katniss chose Peeta, or why they ended up together. I was always team Peeta from the beginning anyway. Katniss and Gale just didnt seem right as more than friends to me. But I still think that because of how things unfolded in the third book with Katniss & Peeta , how she just wrote him off when they got him back, that ticked me off. And I think Peeta is essentially, just too good for her.
I was excited about Josh for Peeta. I don't think that he looks like how I pictured exactly, but I think he's a really good young actor. And that made me feel that they were casting based off talent and not necessarily looks or popularity. I had the same thoughts of Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss, not how she looked but a really good young actor. So on one hand I was excited by the talent but concerned that they wouldn't look right. All the way up until I saw the pictures. Now, I have very little reservation at all.
Call me crazy but I would have liked a 3 way relationship between Peeta Katniss and Gale. I loved them both and both of them were good for Katniss in different ways and she for them. I never copuld choose who I really wanted her to be with because I loved them both.
I'm going to the midnight show but I will doubt I will have time to do a reread. I'll try though, I can't wait for this movie! Wendy, did you get your shirts made somewhere like cafe press or did you make them yourself? I know the line is out at hot topic!
They are already designed on Cafepress. I just picked the one we liked the most.
I'm getting a Peeta t-shirt made for me and a matching bra & panty set ;) LOL! I will have to show u guys pics when they're done.Wendy I havent seen the pics for the film just 3 previews for the movie. I'm in agreement with you as far as the talent, which was why I wasnt upset about the choices for the roles just a little disappointed upon seeing Peeta. But like you, in the beginning, I felt they wouldnt really "look" right playing the role. The only person I thought they made a great choice immediately upon seeing him was Gale.
this movie is only book 1 right? Do they have anything in the works for the entire trillogy?
Funny, because Gale is the only one I'm kind of 'eh' about. He wasn't at all what I pictured, and I've never seen anything with him in it, so I can't judge based on his ability. I'm sure he'll be fine though.This movie is only book 1, but I'm pretty sure the entire trilogy is going to be produced. Especially after the hype for this one.
Nhya, what does your shirt look like?
This is making me wish I hadn't just re-read Hunger Games (either November or December, not sure which). I don't know that I can justify re-reading again with all the books that are currently leering at me. But can I hang out in this thread anyways?
Wendy, my shirt is a plain white tight T (Boob hugger) LOLit will have on the front across the chest "PEETA" with a heart above and below his name. In red out lined in black. Below that, it will say "Do You Love Him.. Real or not real?" On the back, it will say "Real...I LOVE PEETA.."
My undie set will just have "PEETA" across the back of the panties and a "P" on each cup in the front.
~*~Princess Nhya~*~ wrote: "Wendy, my shirt is a plain white tight T (Boob hugger) LOLit will have on the front across the chest "PEETA" with a heart above and below his name. In red out lined in black. Below that, it will s..."
Those sound awesome!!
Thanks Shera. I cant wait til they're done :)
Well yeah...but is she going to start flashing what's underneath while at the movie? Because that's what I think she should do, since she went to all that trouble to have the stuff made so she can wear it to the movie. :p
Yes!! Just walk up there and flash everyone as the movie just starts!!
I would laugh so hard if she actually did it.
If she does we need pictures at the very least. Though I'd say a video would be the best.
LMBO!!! Y'all crazy.. Although I will be showing all the little chicas who is Peeta's woman with my shirt LOL! Those girls are gonna hate me *snickers*I may take pics for my portfolio with the panty and bra set though ;)
You're going to have a ball.
Oh yeah baby & try not to get my butt kicked in the process! LOL
Let's hope the Peeta fans aren't that insane.
lmao! I almost got a tshirt that said 'Real or Not Real' until a friend pointed out that people are going to think I'm asking them to look at my tits!
Wendy F wrote: "lmao! I almost got a tshirt that said 'Real or Not Real' until a friend pointed out that people are going to think I'm asking them to look at my tits!"I really thought you wanted people to ponder about you breasts!! ^_-
Is this where we are discussing our thoughts on the re read or just our thoughts about the upcomming movie? I started re reading The Hunger Game yesterday and already have had a couple of insights that I either missed the firstime I read or forgot about it altogether. I love the Tee Shirt discussion but am also itching to discuss the story.
What did you pick up your second time around?
We're definitely discussing the book! I was going to re-read, but since I've read the book twice now (the second time fairly recently), I'll probably stick with my copy of the movie companion instead, which gives insights to how the movie and book line up. As I find interesting tidbits, I've been adding them here.Go ahead and post your thoughts. This is absolutely the place to discuss the book! We'll probably see a lot of traffic after the movie, since I'm sure we'll all be drawing comparisons between the book and movie.
Rated YA-MA
Books mentioned in this topic
The Hunger Games (other topics)The Hunger Games: Official Illustrated Movie Companion (other topics)
Half-Blood (other topics)
The Hunger Games: Official Illustrated Movie Companion (other topics)
Gone (other topics)
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Sure the girly in me wanted her to have that moment where she went 'no, I love peeta', but I can also recognize that it would have been completely out of character for Katniss.
I think that it happened exactly how it should. I think that Katniss was always drawn to Peeta's gentleness. He was her boy with the bread, and even though it was never said in a blantent way he knew how she felt about him.