The Hunger Games

No matter what your age, there is something special about young adult fiction. In general they are quick reads and often there is more immediacy to the story, a sense that you will just explode if you don’t find out what happens next. I read the Twilight series over the course of several weeks and I have gone to see each of the movies in the theater but I kind of hate that I loved these books. The writing is not great and the female character is not someone I would want any teenage girl to admire. If you liked Twilight but wished Stephanie Meyer knew how to write and you didn’t kind of hate Bella, you will love The Hunger Games. Even if you couldn’t ever be bothered to read Twilight and think you are too cool for young adult books, I still think you will love The Hunger Games.

The Hunger Games is a story about a postapocalyptic society that rises from the ashes of North America. It is ruled by a central power, the Capital, and made of twelve subject districts that provide everything the capital needs to live a life of luxury. Meanwhile, in the districts people live on the brink of starvation. Many years before there was a rebellion where the districts tried to overthrow the capital. As punishment for this uprising, each district must send two tributes (teenagers between 12 and 18) to the capital each year for a fight to the death in a stylized arena. They are chosen via a lottery in a process called the reaping. The heroine of this story is Katniss Everdeen, a girl who supports her mother and sister by any means necessary. She is a wonderful character, willful and single-minded in the ways of a teenager but compassionate and mature at the same time. The reaping completely changes her life and sets the course for the three books.

The story is so gripping. I read all three books in three days and really never knew what turn the story would take next. There is a love triangle along the way, humor and lots of action. Katniss is an impressive heroine, someone you cheer for and occasionally want to shake some sense into. She is not afraid to stand up for what is right and to make difficult decisions. The overarching story line of the society they live in with all the control that is held over them is really interesting and could even make you think about deeper questions like the role of government. On the other hand you can just read the story, enjoy it and begin counting down to the movie (coming in March 2012).

Another enthusiastic review of the first book.

Entertainment Weekly’s mini-site dedicated to all things Hunger Games if you have already read the book.

If you have already read the books, this weeks Entertainment Weekly is all about the movie.