The girl on fire, the boy with the bread and a whole lot of action. This is The Hunger Games. Since its release in 2008, the “Hunger Games” craze has swept the nation. With two subsequent books, “Catching Fire” and “Mockingjay”, author Suzanne Collins has captured the hearts of book lovers everywhere.
The story centers around Katniss Everdeen, a 16-year-old girl living in post-apocalypic Panem. The country is broken up into 12 different states known as districts. Each of the 12 districts has its own specific purpose such as mining, fishing, technology or textiles.
Each year the Captiol, Panem’s supreme government and district, holds the Hunger Games, a televised fight to the death. The games were started as a way to prove the Capitol’s supreme authority after a revolution started in the former District 13. Each district is required to send a boy and a girl tribute to compete in the games. The first day of the Games starts with 13 of the 24 tributes dying and ends when only one tribute remains alive.
After taking the place of her sister Prim as tribute for the 74th Hunger Games, Katniss meets the other tribute from District 12, Peeta Mellark.
After taking the place of her sister Prim as tribute for the 74th Hunger Games, Katniss meets the other tribute from District 12, Peeta Mellark.
The “Hunger Games” main theme centers around real issues such as poverty, starvation and the effects of war on a nation and its people. With both Katniss and Peeta coming from the poorest District, the theme conveys their life as told by the book. With both great action and an ever present love triangle between Katniss, Peeta and Katniss’ best friend Gale Hawthorne, the “Hunger Games” will not disappoint even the most wary of readers.
The movie adaption of book hit theaters on March 23 with Katniss played by Jennifer Lawrence, Peeta played by Josh Hutcherson and Gale played by Liam Hemsworth. The movie captures the heart and soul of Collins’ novel with very few details left off of the big screen. You will actually feel like you are a part of the Games thanks to the amazing video and audio production.
The “Hunger Games” is sure to please any and all age groups and is worth an $11 ticket on a Saturday night.
