The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is a small, unassuming book that packs an expected punch.

Katniss Everdeen lives in District 12 in a land that used to be known as North America. 12 districts live in the shadow of the Capitol, which rules with an iron fist. As a punishment and reminder of a long ago uprising of the districts, the Capitol demands a tribute of one boy and one girl from each of the 12 districts for the Hunger Games. The 24 children are left in the wilderness to fight to the death while televised nationally. The winner commands fame, fortune, and even wins treasures such as extra food rations, sugar, etc. for their district. To lose is to ensure a messy, public death. The arena is often booby trapped by the Gamekeepers to keep things “interesting”. Further, the tributes can be sponsored, and receive unexpected gifts when they most need it. This leads to some interesting twists and turns throughout the story.

Starvation, whippings, and other extreme punishments are normal in the twelve districts, but Katniss keeps her mother and sister Prim fed by illegally poaching outside of District territory. She lives in what is known as the Seam, or the poor area of District 12. Her skill with the bow and arrow keeps her in the Games, and Collins’ writing and character building keeps me in the book.

I completely relate to Kat’s devotion to her sister, and her willingness to volunteer as tribute when Prim’s name is drawn. Her initial wariness and later acceptance of Peeta, District 12′s male tribute, echo the emotional muddle of a teen’s first love.

Collins’ worldbuilding is weak at first, but once Katniss leaves her district and arrives at the Capitol, the surroundings are described in much more detail and it becomes easier to understand the difference between the downtrodden districts and the luxurious Capitol.

Best of all, at 374 pages, it was a slim volume with an easy, fluid writing style that makes for a fast read–I was able to finish in less than 2 days.

Highly Recommended!