Shocking, engaging, and heart-jerking, The Hunger Games by Stephanie Collins is a post-apocalyptic dystopian novel, in which an overcontrolling capital runs 13 districts that work for the capital. Once District 13 rebelled, the Capital has held an annual Hunger Games in which twenty-four 12-18-year-olds are placed in an arena to fight to the death. The victor is praised and glorified, the losers dead. The games are used to show the districts the power the Capitol has and keep the districts from rebelling. The story follows a poverty-stricken girl named Katniss Everdeen, and her journey growing up, finding love, surviving, and, mainly, getting placed into the 74th Annual Hunger Games.
The Hunger Games was memorable and stuck with me. The lesson helps me to look at my life from a more grateful view. This book for me was the perfect balance of hope and loss, of the fear for the protagonist and the thrilling plot points that could keep you at the edge of your seat. Collins’ diction provides a book that can transport one to a new world. The story does not feel like you can predict it, and even if you read it multiple times, you will always have fear for her and find something new to awe at. The conflicting love interests will keep any young adult engaged. Katniss has an amazing character development arch and has relatable struggles. I agree with Collins’ idea that the restriction of supplies and an overarching government can lead to rebellion and a very sad dystopia. I don’t really disagree with any of her ideas. From context throughout the book, I believe this book is some 100-200 years in the future. Therefore, this could definitely be a possibility and could occur at some point. However, in Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, the likelihood of those events occurring in 2022, or this year, is highly unlikely. Setting it in the far future almost creates a warning and more fear than setting it in the close future.
The relatability, plot points, character development, and tone set create an overall amazing novel. I agree with Suzanne Collins’ views and could see this happening. This book is amazing for young-adults seeking romance, action, violence, and the journey of growing up! I would highly recommend this book, and if you plan to read it, “May the odds be ever in your favor.”(Collins 19)
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