Wednesday, September 28, 2011

THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins

Finished Tu 9/27/11

Katniss Everdeen has been chosen to represent District 12 in The Hunger Games. In this post-apocalyptic/adventure novel, Panem is the name of the country which was once the USA. "The Capitol" is the ruling city-state, and the rest of the country has been divided into twelve subservient sectors. Each year, two teenage candidates (boy/girl) from each sector are selected to participate in a competition in which all twenty-four participants must fight to the death until only one is left alive. The entire event is televised all over Panem to encourage regional unity/rivalry, and to demonstrate the absolute power of the state.

The novel primarily concerns Katniss's preparation for The Games, and her participation in them. Next to nothing about the political history, motivations of the leaders of Panem, or much cultural detail about the various sectors are included in the novel. District #12 (nickname-The Seam, probably a reference to the seams of coal) is the old Appalachian area of the Eastern US. Her partner in the competition from #12 is Peeta, the baker's son, and he forms a personal and professional alliance with Katniss during the competition. Peeta is very much in love with her, yet his feelings only bemuse and puzzle Katniss.

Although Katniss is an accomplished hunter and gatherer, she seems to lack confidence and has an unusual low level of self esteem for such a proficient individual. She really doesn't have much of a clue as to how capable that she really is. And, even though she has phenomenal success in The Games, it really doesn't do much for her feelings of inferiority.

This is the first book in a trilogy, and there will be a movie released based on THE HUNGER GAMES in the spring of 2012.

KATNISS is a plant similar to a potato

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