NOTE: I will only discuss specifics of the first two books of the Hunger Games series as they are discussed on the flap of the first book. I won’t even bring up anything about the second book other than letting you know it exists. THIS IS A SPOILER FREE ENTRY. The comments, however – are not. DO NOT READ THE COMMENTS IF YOU HAVEN’T READ THE BOOKS.
Mockingjay comes out this coming Tuesday and I am beyond excited about it. I’ve not been this excited about a book release since the days of Harry Potter. While these books are popular, they don’t have the widespread appeal I feel like they deserve so I wanted to tell you why I adore them so much and hope maybe you’ll find time to read the first two in the next week so you can wrap up the series with me next week.
Hunger Games is about a girl, Katniss Everdeen, who lives in Panem which basically post-apocalyptic North America. She lives in District 12. There are 12 total districts controlled by The Capitol which keeps the districts from rebelling by crushing their spirits annually with the Hunger Games. This is a televised fight to the death of 24 kids between the ages of 12 and 18. One boy and one girl – chosen randomly – from each district. Katniss – who has already learned to be a badass in District 12, just trying to keep her family alive – finds herself the girl contestant from her district in the 74th Hunger Games.
That’s really all you need to know. This is one of my favorite types of stories, whether it’s on book, TV, or film. The story of the little guy being treated poorly and rising up to fight the Big Bad Guy who is oppressing him.
Except, unlike in many movies and books…it’s not that easy.
While we like to imagine both historical uprisings and fictional ones as simply people deciding their situation is unjust and fighting (AND WINNING!) against their oppressors – It’s not that easy. And Katniss shows us that time and time again. She has friends and family she adores and wants to protect AT ALL COSTS. Although she has a killer survival instinct, she would even sacrifice her own life for theirs if she knew it would protect them. However, this is opposes her basic desire to fight against what threatens them all: The Capitol. I guess this is how oppressors in history (and fiction) keep power over those beneath them: With the constant threats to the lives of their subjects and their loved ones. It’s a great battle that plays out emotionally and in the Games as Katniss is constantly finding herself trying to protect herself and her family but also wishing she could fight what is so terribly wrong with her world.
It’s heartbreaking, at times. I’ve read Catching Fire (My favorite of the two) now 2 times and listened to it on audiobook two times and I sob in the same points every time. Collins writes a very realistic scenario of oppression and how little power the subjects usually have in these situations. And how, often times, no matter how wrong you know your situation is: There’s often not a damn thing you can do about it.
I would love to get into these books more, my favorite parts and my hopes for Mockingjay, but I want to keep this entry spoiler-free. HOWEVER: I have no control over the comments. Do Not Read The Comments On This Entry If You Haven’t Read The Books. If you guys who have read the books talk about them in the comments? I’ll come back and join you. If you’re read them – what are you hoping for most out of Mockingjay? What were your favorite parts of the previous two books?









