What is your reading goal this year?

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

The Hunger Games



The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

(Summary taken from the book jacket) "In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before--and suvival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love."

Wow. Where to start with this book? Interesting idea, right? And depressing? Yes to both. I like Suzanne Collins' style of writing. It is an easy read, more like a young adult book, but the ideas, the themes, and the events are very mature and not for young audiences. Younger children would be able to read the words but they would not be able to comprehend and handle all that happens. Some of it traumatized me, as an adult, and I do not want my children reading it. The book definitely draws you in. The story is very compelling and you have to know what happens to this girl. This book really made me think about my life. It made me thankful for our country and our freedoms. It made me thankful for food to eat and a very supportive family, and a good job. It also made me take a harder look at reality TV and my reactions to it. Overall I liked the book. I will read the second one. I was very depressed at the end, so don't read it if you don't like depressing. Also, there are some very graphic death scenes, so don't read it if you don't think you could handle that. I didn't like that it sucked me in, that I became the person rubber-necking on the freeway to get a glimpse of the accident. I didn't like that it had that power over me, but it definitely did. But yes, I did like the book and would recommend it with the above precautions.

Rating: R (Remember, this rating does not follow the movie ratings. An R rating simply means there are adult themes that I don't think are appropriate for younger children.) There is none to very little language. There are no "physical intimacy" scenes, but they do talk about being naked. There are very mature themes and some very graphic death scenes. A lot of people die. (Happy, right???)

Recommendation: Senior year of high school and up. Also, I would only recommend it to adults with the above precautions. See, death and despair......but I liked it??? It kind of makes you think.....what does that say about me????

4 comments:

Apron Appeal said...

Its a book you hate to love?

Unknown said...

That's a good way to put it!

Anonymous said...

Are You kidding me? Senior year of High school!!!!!!!!!!!?????????? I am 12 yrs old now, but I was 11 yrs old when my 6th grade class read all three Hunger Games books together. These are my favorite books in the creation of books!!!!!!!! I even got my 9 yr old sister to read the books and she loved them. My entire class loved them and my class might even take a field trip to see the movie when it comes out. The poster is hanging up in the school hallway. And I go to a Catholic, Private school. Oh no people die, its the end of the world!!!!! Yea right. Ya know kids can handle that right? And for the adult themes, we understood everything, or if we didn't, it was explained to us. So if it can be explained ,read ,and taught in a catholic 6th grade class, how is it inappropriate? Just Saying.


Oh did I sound nasty just now? I am so sorry if I did, its just this is my favorite book and I don't like people thinking I can't handle it. I didn't mean to be rude.
-Samantha

Unknown said...

Thank you for your comment. I appreciate all feedback. I do not take back my recommendation, though. I'm sorry that you have been so desensitized to violence and adult themes that you do not find them disturbing or uncomfortable to read. I'm sorry that a 12 year old doesn't need to have adult themes explained to her. This first book may have been okay, but when you look at the series as a whole, it is not appropriate for younger readers. The final book is extremely violent and gory. As a mother I hope my child's school class does NOT read this series because it is not at all appropriate. Thanks for your comment, though.