"The Hunger Games" Book Review

I recently re-read "The Hunger Games", the first of three books in the three-part series written by Suzanne Collins. Since I've been wanting to write this review for a while and my blog is shamefully lacking the book and movie reviews I've been promising, I thought I'd start out with a review for this action-packed, young-adult novel.

To start out with, I have to confess that this is one of my favourite books of all time. It's one of those reads that has you up all night glued to the pages even though you keep falling asleep. It's full of heart-breaking moments of murder, bravery and love. For a young-adult novel, I also thought the plot to be very deep and well thought-out.

The novel's main character is Katniss Everdeen, a sixteen-year-old girl who has been taking care of her family since the day her father died. She hunts illegally in the woods surrounding District 12, where she lives. The District is one of twelve surrounding the Capitol, where the government of Panem sits. The Districts exist in poverty and oppression, while the citizens of the Capitol live in luxury.

To remind the people of Panem that any rebellion against the Capitol is pointless, the government organises an annual televised show called "The Hunger Games". 2 young people from every district are picked in a "lottery" to compete against each other in a fight to the death. There can only be one victor.

When Katniss's younger sister, Prim, is chosen for the Games, she volunteers to take her place and is then thrown into the world of intrigue and power that is the Capitol. The author explores themes such as manipulation, courage, trust and loyalty in her novel, as well as the moral issues of killing another human being.

Katniss promises her sister to try her best to win the Games and fully intends to do so until her fellow tribute, Peeta Mellark, complicates her situation by declaring his love for her. The Capitol citizens are drawn in by the story of two star-crossed lovers since it is clear that only one of them can survive.

At first, Katniss is portrayed as a very tough, "wood-wise" girl who knows how to handle a weapon. Fiercely protective of her family and her best friend, Gale, she proves to be a brave and smart competitor in the Games. However, Katniss has trouble showing her soft side and is not sure of her feelings for Peeta.

The real tragedy of "The Hunger Games" is seeing so many of the main characters lose their lives. Suzanne Collins introduces several interesting competitors such as Foxface, Thresh and Rue. In my opinion, one of the most genius things about this book is the fact that she doesn't make these characters flat but chooses to give them real back stories, which makes their deaths even more sad. Though the reader only has glimpses of these characters, they are all intriguing in their own way, all deserve - in my eyes at least - to live and to have a better life.

Katniss's character softens somewhat when she allies with twelve-year-old Rue. She feels very protective over the little girl, even sharing a sleeping-bag with her. Their relationship is in sharp contrast to the brutality of the Games and the brief interlude of peace Katniss finds with her companion is shattered by Rue's murder.

This novel really is the story of a sixteen-year old girl who is turned into an adult by the cruel world she lives in. First her father dies in the mines, then she is thrust into the Hunger Games to fight for her survival against her will. Many readers have found Katniss cold and not likeable at all, but I have to wonder: what choice would you have made? Die in the arena when your little sister begged you to return home? Or fight, even if it means killing other people, to come back to your family?

To me, that is the most fascinating aspect of this series: having no choice at all. Katniss's actions are all reactions to what the Capitol brandishes at her. I feel very sorry for this character, who has lost so much and is still brave and loving to her family. Yet the novel also shows the confusion she feels towards Peeta, for fear of survival. In so many ways, Katniss didn't have a choice between loving him and not loving him, so she never has the chance to develop natural feelings.

This first novel shows a remarkably flawed character who fights against all odds for survival and love. Katniss Everdeen is often shown as cowardly, yet she also has to live through extreme situations.

The Hunger Games, to me, was a study of her character, a study of human nature itself. Set in a beautifully imagined, cruel world, Suzanne Collins has created a brilliantly paced, dark read. I loved "The Hunger Games", a novel that really shook me up and kept me thinking long after I'd read the final page.