The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

We just experienced the United States’ patriotic commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.  Most of us donned our red, white, and blue and enjoyed such traditions as fireworks, parades, and cookouts with family.  Imagine a future North American country called Panem that commemorates its founding with a televised, over-the-top ceremony, mandatory to watch, of two young adults from each of the country’s 12 districts.  Following the ceremony, the tributes are thrown into an elaborate and enormous arena where they will brutally fight to the death in the Hunger Games.   The sole survivor wins a life of luxury and notoriety. 

The Hunger Games was recommended to me by students here at Kent State.  Online, I learned that The Hunger Games, published in 2008 and followed by Catching Fire (2009) and Mockingjay (2010), is the hottest young adult series since Twilight.  I quickly downloaded the novels and scrolled through all three in a matter of days.  Like Twilight, the protagonist is a misfit young woman with two very different young men who adore her.  No vampires here but lots of blood and violence fill the pages and that is where the similarities end.

The reader experiences the stories through the eyes of 16 year old Katniss who lives in District 12, an Appalachian coal mining district that could very well be our tri-state area.  The people live like peasants, working in mines, factories or on farms while those in a city called the Capitol live the glamorous “bella vita.”  When Katniss’ little sister’s name is drawn in the lottery, Katniss volunteers to take her place.  Obviously she survives the gladiatorial ordeal (or there would be no novels two and three) but her ambition to win is complicated by the introduction of her district-mate and new found friend, Peeta…remember, there is only one possible victor!  Peeta shows Katniss the importance of “holding on to one's humanity in such inhuman circumstances.”  Katniss, unlike Peeta, is conniving and has survivor skills.  She is cold, clever, and calculating but still likable.  While reading, it is impossible to figure out how author Suzanne Collins will end these stories, since they seem to have no possible happy endings.  But each one ends in a good place, readers will feel quite content.

 I hope you can join us at MUSE Group, 6:30 on July 12 in the Main Building of Kent State University at East Liverpool.  We'll be discussing The Hunger Games and chowing down on homemade pepperoni rolls (in honor of Peeta the baker).  There is no charge to attend and all are welcome.