The Hunger Games

This was lovely. I know that's not the first word that comes to most people's minds when they think of The Hunger Games, but to me it applies. To me, it was a small, intimate story told on a grand stage.

Its a shame that Twilight is mostly seen as Harry Potter's pop culture rival, mostly because of timing and that its the only other book series that created even remotely the same kind of phenomenon. But The Hunger Games feels far more in HP's league, as it is a tightly-wound, sophisticated story, expertly packaged for young people. Which was refreshing, and also kind of threw me off, as most YA authors seemed to dumbing down their content in order to appeal to the teenage mindset, instead of just simplifying their sentences and story structure (Not gonna lie, I was kind of blown away by the amount of exposition this book has. Its a bit like being handed floaties when you've been doing laps in the deep end for an hour), which has created a market of vapid, overly verbose work. HG is as simple and straightforward as the games it is about; it may be rough, but there's enough hand-holding (literally, as well as figuratively) that the marks aren't too bad. I've heard some people complain about the violence, which completely boggles my mind. I know I'm desensitized - seriously, look at the books I've read - but this is by no means graphic. What it is is sincere enough to play it straight. To do otherwise would be a disservice to great characters and relationships Collins created.

It's probably obvious by now what kind of protagonists I like. I like my heroes focused, with uncluttered motivations and no fear of getting dirty. Katniss Everdeen is Will Perry is Ellen Ripley. I should probably start including this in my online dating profiles. I like that Katniss stays simple even when her situation is complicated. Her whole life has been based on survival, and that's not something you can turn off - nor should you - when someone puts you in a pretty dress. I love her - and really, the whole book's - fixation on food. Her meals, whether they be scarce or plentiful, are practically characters all on their own.

But Katniss isn't hard, and in a way she's suprisingly unguarded. She seems to understand how easy it is to lose people, so she doesn't let relationships go to waste. She allows herself to bond with people she views as good, even though they're part of a system that's trying to hurt her and the people she cares about. She's not afraid of her emotions, only wary of how people will see them. And she never really learns how to play politics even though she has to, even when she puts on a performance effective enough to fool the Capitol audience.

I like that there were several different stories going on and we as readers are only privy to one. It makes me very curious as to how the movie is going to come out. Maybe I've watched too much reality TV, but as I read, I found myself also writing the Capitol's commentary, anticipating where the crowd's oohs and aahs would be. Was that just me? Seeing that at work in the movie theater I think will be amusingly metatextual.

This is a solid four stars for me because while I loved the story, the writing consistently had me thinking “This is totally written for kids.” As such, it wasn't as impressive as it could have been, but it was quite nice.

Excellent, addictive book. I can't wait to read the next one!

Started and finished this book in 5 1/2 hours - couldn't put it down! I was incredibly fascinated by the world the author creates in this novel. It's one that is so far in the future and yet starkly more primitive than that of today, where the privileged and poor are pitted against one another in order for the government to remain powerful and unchecked. Katniss Everdeen is unlike any 16 year old female character I've encountered. The scenarios faced by Katniss and the other main characters are frankly horrific at times, especially considering it's all for sport and as a reminder of the government's power (read the book to find out more). The ending definitely left me ready for the next book to see where the story leads next.

I refused to read this book for the longest time because I felt like I was cheating on the similar type book titled “Battle Royale”. Well, I was striking out on audiobooks on overdrive to rent so I went for this series. I never expected to be so hooked. I absolutely adored this series. I watched the movie when it came out, but found that I enjoyed the book a bit more. The characters were relatable - even Katniss, who seems a sort of emotionally disconnected. This book exceeded my expectations and I finished the next two in the series shortly after. It's rare for me to absolutely adore a series, but this did it for me.

4.5 Stars
I didn't even mean to read this book. Not now, anyway. I picked it up because I was watching author tube videos about point of view, to try to figure out if I wanted to write my own book in first or third person. I learned that the Hunger Games is written in first person present tense — how unusual. I couldn't remember another book like that, and I was curious what it felt like, what the rhythm was. Would it be right for mine? So I began.

The writing isn't the kind I usually gush over. There aren't long paragraphs of description, or metaphors every other sentence. It's brief, rough, almost a little choppy. But it works, because everything I read was Katniss and her thoughts. Through her mind, through her eyes, in her past and in her present. Right there in every moment. There aren't gaps in time, either, because it wouldn't make sense for us not to know what she does every single day. But I also lost track of time; the flow of nights and days, especially while she was in the arena, felt almost as endless and discombobulating as they might have to her.

Needless to say, first person present tense was definitely the right way to go for this book. I am trying to imagine it in past tense, but it doesn't work — even though we know she must survive, we don't know know. If it were written in past tense, there would be a sense of safety to it that would take away from the immediate danger of the Hunger Games. If she spoke in past tense, part of our minds might already be out of the Hunger Games, knowing she must have won. And, it only makes sense to tell such a harrowing adventure in present tense. I cannot imagine her wanting to tell it in such detail over again.

From the moment Katniss volunteers until she returns back to the Seam, she loses parts of herself, forgets who she is, struggles to understand her identity. In her words, “Who I am and who I am not.” Everything she was put through tested her at the most fundamental level, but there were always layers of meaning. She could not think only of her survival, but also of her family back home, of the Gamemakers, of the Capitol, of the audience, of the entertainment factor.

(It only struck me nearing the end of the book that the Hunger Games is actually reality T.V. It seemed so far away and too evil to fit into a category we already have, but it does. That's exactly what it is. I am sure there are Gamemakers in real reality T.V., too, though hopefully far less sadistic.)

But as Katniss is struggling with her identity, we have gotten to know her intimately. We know what the Capitol doesn't. I feel like she trusts me, to be sharing her innermost thoughts and most private moments. Yet at the same time, I myself disappear into her consciousness. We blend together into one, one character who is completely in the present moment, and completely in danger. The cadence of first person present and Katniss's voice seeped into my brain.

For the two nights I read it before bed, my dreams were just a continuation or slightly distorted replay of what I had just experienced in the book. Almost like the replays that the Capitol forces them to watch. I have been on edge, a first-person present narrative running through my head. Last night, I was at the Cornucopia, gold and gleaming in the arid landscape. I was with Peta. Besides us, only Cato was left. I was retracing my steps to the feast, but this time there was a choice to be made about what I was going to pick up. A loaf of bread, some feet from the golden horn, lay there on the cracked ground. This loaf of bread was crucial. What did I have to do to save Peeta?

Spoilers ahead as I mull over the ending

Speaking of Peeta, I didn't realize how much of a romance this would be. Or... a feign of one. I felt as played as the audience, as saddened as Peeta, when Katniss admitted that a lot of her motivation for acting so romantically was for the Games, for their survival. But even then, she wanted to ensure his survival. That is real. The boy with the bread. I know she cares about him deeply. Peeta, Peeta. He is so sweet, remaining so seemingly genuine even in his darkest moments. I worry for him, now.

My kindle showed me I was about 80% of the way through the book. I expected many more pages of them coming home, of Katniss reuniting with her family, of her seeing Gale, of her and Peeta alone. Of their houses in the circle, of continued paranoia about the Capitol and their berry rebellion.
But, no. I clicked page next and what do you know, the book is over. The next 20% is a preview of Catching Fire.

I wasn't prepared for that, but it makes sense. Dragging out the homecoming wasn't necessary, and the end made for much more of an impact and left enough up in the air ending where it did.

I liked it. It was a quick, easy read that was pretty entertaining and suspenseful enough to make it difficult to put down.

A good, quick read. I think my oldest daughter will be into it.

Much of this is pedestrian YA, but the part that really struck me was the reality TV aspect. Collins excels in this area - exploring what it is like for her characters to be in life or death situations, but have to focus on how the TV audience will react and how that affects the situation. The concept is novel and really has room for exploring private vs. public self. I'm definitely going to finish off the series

This book certainly lived up to the hype.

A real page-turner!

Peeta is a great hero and Katniss...resourceful, canny and sharp, with a hard exterior shell that is marvellously breeched by her sister, her friend Gale, Rue and the hero.

Thankfully, I have Catching Fire, the sequel, on hand to dive straight back into the series!

4.5 stars, still holds up in 2021.
This reading, I listened to the re-recording of the audiobook by Tatiana Maslany which was read beautifully. She did sigh a little too much on the beginning which was a little jarring and distracting, but overall the performance was fantastic.
I wanted to reread the series in preparation to read the prequel (which i just found out about!) and figured it's a good time to get my partner to read the books which meant a lot to me. Thankfully he agreed to listen along.
Suzanne is such a talented author and i think i only appreciate this book more after reading the overlander series for the first time last year and can recognise the similar themes and the ways she's grown her voice.
I'm so drawn in to the characters and world in this story and genuinely care so much about what happens to them, even feeling attached to the minor characters. generally, I'm not one for romance or mushy feelings but I'm so invested in the tangled up relationship between Katniss and Peeta and the complexity of her feelings and the heart break when he realises she doesn't necessarily feel the same way. It can so easily be played off as ‘poor boy getting cucked by bitchy girl' but i think Suzanne handles this very delicately and with subtlety that feels very genuine. Even though it's a dystopian YA, everything just feels so real.

Re-read for the third time in Feb 2014: This re-read just made me love the series so much more???????

For most part of the book, I hated Katniss. But the action scenes were great and kept me ruthlessly reading to see what would happen next. I am madly in love with Peeta.

Didn't finish book. The beginning was pretty good and interesting but it waned off and I got really bored, even with the violence. I can't see how this novel is as popular as it is.

I was compelled to read this, the same way I was compelled to read Twilight. It was a page turner, but the writing was not great and the foreshadowing made me gag. (Don't think I'm a snobby adult, I even disliked YA fiction when I was a YA) Everyone I know loved this book. I didn't love it, but parts were good. Some characters were memorable, but few were really interesting. I think the drunk guy was the best.

Wow. This was a great piece of science fiction writing. Even though it is catagorized as Young Adult, the language, themes & plot were interesting to an old person.

[3rd re-read]

AHHHHHHJHAGJHHGAJHGHHHHHHHAHJSGHJAGSUYGJHHHAHHHHHHH i missed this series so much. I missed my man haymitch the most, i've been fighting for his prequel novel like my life depends on it and i won't give up. He is an icon.

we all have our favourite books and yeah we do get upset if others don't like them but we accept it but..... i can literally not think of a reason why someone could rate this book any less than 5 stars. I can't even wrap my head around the fact that there are people out there that have rated this book 4 stars.. this is how i know we live in a horrid and evil world.

I can't wait to re-read catching Fire. THAT BOOK IS THE BLUEPRINT. YA wouldn't be what it is today without Catching Fire. it INVENTED literature. Catching fire is THE BEST novel out there and i won't accept any other opinion. fight with ur mum about it idc


anyways the hunger games remains on the throne of YA and it will NEVER been dethroned, trust me.

6/10

This book was fast paced and enjoyable. It reminded me a lot of the “Uglies” series, only more violent. I'm doing it as a read-aloud for school and so far the kids are edge-of-the-seat interesting, so hopefully that continues.

I got this book because it is the number one most rated on Goodreads and I liked the movie enough. I had low expectations and was weary of the young adult tag, but I got pleasantly surprised to find it tolerable.

The movie is a carbon copy of the book as far as I can recall. Luckily it was a long time ago I watched it, so it wasn't too repetitive. And even though I knew every single outcome of every scene, the prose is enjoyable and the protagonist is bright. She and Peter are relatable.

There is no much room to dislike I think. No heavy handed romance, good use of first person narration to transmit the character's feelings. Katniss is a survival and a pragmatist.

Overall, nothing too exciting, I'm eager to read the next book as I did not got past 10 minutes of the movie. Hopefully all parts I didn't care about will get downplayed.

I was interested in reading the trilogy ever since I first read a review. Finally got my hands on the first book today. It started off nicely but I got slightly bored in the middle. However, once the Hunger Games actuall started the story was just amazing (I especially loved Rue).

Can't wait to start reading Catching Fire.
P.S. Do I smell a rebellion?

it was oke , i know i'm in the minority but it did not Wow me/ still exited 2 read the sequel tho
and can't wait 4themovie

I think this might be the most popular book in my goodreads network. I could not put it down and just finished it in a post-bedtime, 2 hours on the sofa session. I'm ready to see the Capitol and Panem fall. Bring it on!

Katniss Everdeen is every modern girl's hero. Tough and wizened by life's hard times, she also has weaknesses, self-doubt, and even a hint of romance in her life. I can see why this book has attracted so many YA readers, both male and female. It's—I use one of my favorite words here, “gritty”—edgy, but also endearing. You get a sense of Kat's love for her little sister Prim, her weaknesses in the Games, and her confusion regarding Gale and Peeta.

The plot itself reminded me of a mix between The Island, Shirley Jackson's The Lottery, and the TV show V. I am eager to pick up the next installment of this trilogy to find out what's next. This book kept me interested and engaged, which is something wonderfully powerful about most YA literature.

There was a few points the book can be considered slow but I liked the development of the characters in these parts and I thought had perfect pacing. I was a little shocked by the ending. Doesn't seem there is much to go on to get to the next book. I would have never thought to make this a three book series on so little. It may be enough to peak my curiosity and read the next book to see where the author and characters go from here.
I believe Katniss' blindness about Peeta and Gale. Before The Hunger Games she was a 16 year old with a lot of responsibility than most and is more focus on feeding her family so they don't starve.
The writing could have been better but the storyline wins out.

One of the absolute best dystopian novels and an absolute cultural phenomenon and a classic

Highly addictive!
First book which reminded me of what I felt while reading the Harry Potter books.