Kelly, Emily
9/12/11 Pr. A2
Mrs. Huss
The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins is a thrilling and action-packed book that takes place many years into the future in what used to be North America. The Hunger Games are twisted games where each city (or in this case district) in the country has to pay tribute to the President by giving up one child of each gender. They have to fight to the death and see who is the last kid standing in an arena being broadcast on live television. With a very messed up, yet interesting plot, this book got me hooked as soon as it started. The main character is a girl named Katniss Everdeen who is forced to go into the games and fight the other children, one unfortunately being a boy who goes to her school and happend to save her life once. In the course of just this one book, there are deaths, romances, and frequent depressing moments, helping to make this book both emotional and bittersweet. I would definitely not recommend this book to any children around the age of ten or younger. It gets very gory and melancholy, which wouldn't be the best choice for young children. Although, what I like about it is that both adults and teenagers could read it. The book is not simple, there being many twists and turns in both the games and Katniss's now changed life. The whole thing is a big, fun to read mess that both adults and teens can enjoy.
Suzanne Collins is creative with the way that she ties everything in and keeps the action going, yet pays attention to crucial details that help the readers to understand what is going on in all points of the book. Her use of imagery is pristine and the way she describes the things going on around Katniss, it makes me feel as if I am really there. The way she gets people to connect with the characters and feel what they feel is so genuine and genius! If I could rate this book, it would definitely be at least a 8.5 - 9.0. This was one of the best books I have ever read in my life! I recommend this to mature audiences who can appreciate and apprehend Collin's writing. There is not much to criticize about this book. There were very few to none moments that I thought were dull or boring. The whole book was enchanting and sublime.
I just want to say that some how the post took out my INDENTS! IT WASN'T JUST ONE PARAGRAPH!!!!
ReplyDeleteFrom the time the Hunger Games were first mentioned, it was obvious that Katniss would somehow go to them and win them. It was also obvious that Peeta would somehow come out alive as well. How could someone who believes so much in giving people what they deserve kill a boy who saved her life?
ReplyDeleteOn the night before her training begins, Katniss realizes and fully understands and hates just how relentless and cruel the Capitol can be. She recognizes the redheaded Avox, or mute servant, and feels guilty for what she didn't do to make her life so miserable. After the feast, she tells Peeta that she recognizes the Avox from a day when she and her friend Gale were hunting in the woods. The girl and another boy came running as if their lives depended on it. Turns out they did. A hovercraft appeared and took the girl and killed the boy. Katniss wonders if the girl recognized her, and tells herself sternly, "You don't forget the face of the person who was your last hope." Katniss then feels guilty about her actions and therefore despises the Capitol even more.
On the other hand, on the night she arrives at the Capitol, Katniss overcomes some of her distrust of the Capitol. Her stylist, Cinna, and his parner, Portia, gave her and Peeta costumes of black jumpsuits with headdresses and capes which would be ignited with a fire that supposedly didn't harm the wearer. Katniss doesn't trust them with this and comes up with a plan to get rid of it. But her stylists came through and the fire didn't hurt one bit. Katniss realized that not all people in the Capitol were as cruel as they seemed. This give Katniss confidence for the training that is to come.
So what do you think of the book so far, Rachel? You say that after reading only part of the book, you already think that Katniss will win and Peeta will live, but does that effect the way you feel about the book? Does it make it cliché and cheesy? What do you think of Peeta and Katniss so far and the decisions they make? Do you think that Katniss did the right thing by stepping in for her sister to go into the games or was it selfish for her to put her family into a situation where they may never have enough food to eat/live off again?
ReplyDelete- Emily Kelly
So far I am loving the book, but it's obvious that Katniss will win and Peeta will live. It may turn out to be the most predictable book I have ever read, but good nonetheless. However, I never could have guessed the whole scenario about Katniss and Peeta having to act like starcrossed lovers throughout the book.
ReplyDeleteI did think it was a little foolish of Katniss to skewer the apple in the pig's mouth at first, but I guess it really impressed the judges. It's not exactly something I would have done, but it yielded good results.
I also like the use of flashback of when Katniss first meets Gale. It really helps me understand her character more.
Also, I think somehow Katniss has always had a secret desire to go to the Hunger Games because she is a character who has a need for proving herself to the world. She knows she has talent, she knows somehow that she could at least stand a chance in the games, and took her sister's place for fear of both Prim and her reputation. I think, deep down, she knows she is a little arrogant, and has felt the need to act on it since she learned to hunt.
I knew it, I knew it, I knew it that both Katniss and Peeta would survive. How else could the play up the whole starcrossed lovers thing, then have one of them die? It would totally disrupt the "Spirit of the Games," the whole country of Panem would go crazy and hate the games because of the death of either Katniss or Peeta. They probably begged the Gamemakers to get medicine for Peeta's leg. That was the only reason the tributes got invited to the feast. They just had to make it fair for Cato and the others.
ReplyDeleteThis book definitely has a lot of "I-owe-you-one" scenarios in it. Thresh spares Katniss' life because of what she did for Rue. Katniss owes Peeta for saving her life, and won't get over the fact that if it hadn't been for him, she wouldn't even be able to be at the games saving his life.
Rue is by far my favorite character so far. I wasn't nearly that smart or observant when I was twelve. I cried when she died. Had I been in Katniss' position, I would have done the exact same thing, except I would immediately go to kill the other Careers as well to avenge her death I was surprised by how Katniss composes herself long enough to cover Rue in flowers and give thanks to District 11. I could never have done that.
*I had total writer's block when I posted this, so I'm sorry if it sounds a bit dull*
No, no your comment is not dull. I, too, was very disappointed when Rue died. I really loved Rue, but I guess we knew she had to die as soon as she was introduced. I am glad you enjoyed the book. It was exactly a...happy book, but I guess that's what we have to expect, being that the plot was about kids forced to slaughter each other each year.
ReplyDeleteI have a question to ask you. Do you think that Peeta over reacted in the end when he found out that Katniss didn't love him back? I kind of feel for Katniss on this one. I am sure that while she was under a lot of pressure to STAY ALIVE through out the book, it would be hard to stop and think, "do I want a boyfriend?" She did what she had to do to live. But I also need to step into Peeta's shoes. Being heart broken and lead on isn't easy and I would be a little upset and angry if I were him too. What do you think?
Emily Kelly
P.S _
ReplyDeleteI am sorry for the typos. I didn't exactly read it over before I sent it. My apologies!
The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, is a fast-paced and action-packed story with foundations of love and morality. Katniss Everdeen, the main character, takes her sister's place in the Hunger Games, an annual series of contests designed by the Capitol to remind the outlying Districts of Panem that they can be manipulated and controlled whether they like it or not. The Capitol selects a boy and a girl from each district to be sent to a vast outdoor arena, and over the course of a few weeks, fight unforgivingly to the death. The last tribute standing wins. Katniss sacrifices herself to save her sister's life, by volunteering to replace her in the games.
ReplyDeleteThe boy tribute of District 12 is Peeta Mellark, the baker's son. Katniss feels like she is forever in debt to him because he saved her family from starvation when she was eleven. Katniss is certainly a person who believes in giving people exactly what they deserve, be it death or life. This makes her a vicious enemy in the games.
But within this revenge and spite, Katniss finds a way to be herself. The intention of the games is to dehumanize and murder kids, and yet Katniss finds small ways to stay who she is throughout the games.
During the games, Katniss also finds who she truly loves. One of the tributes from District Eleven is a small girl named Rue who reminds Katniss of her sister. They form an alliance and become sisters of the games. Katniss is devastated when Rue dies. She immediately kills Rue's attacker, sings to Rue, and covers her in flowers as a sign of rebellion to the Capitol. She never truly lets go of herself as so many other tributes have done.
Overall, The Hunger Games is an action-packed, deeply moving story that will leave the reader in suspense, in tears, beaming, and a very diverse range of other emotions. It is a book that can be enjoyed by both teens and adults, and is easily read again. It is one of those books where the reader finds something new each time they read it. It is a highly recommendable novel that can be enjoyed time and time again. A solid 9 out of ten.