I owe my discovery of this trilogy to my friend Ali. She heard about it from a friend, read the first book of the trilogy, and would not stop about it! So THANK YOU because I truly love this book. It is technically a trilogy of three books, but through my e-reader's Sony bookstore, I was able to buy it as a single continuous story of 805 pages. I recommend you do the same, it has three distinct story lines, but if you love the first part, you will not want to put it down until the end. So have all three ready to go once you start.
Here is the basic premise of the novel. It is a couple hundred years in the future, and Collins does not tell you what year it actually is, either because people don't know, or (what I think) the author wants you to forget about every other "futuristic" novel you've read and discover how this future world works without any preconceived ideas. Panem is a post-apocalyptic country comprising all of current North America and it is divided (very strictly divided) into twelve districts. None of them have names, they are only known by numbers. (so interesting to me...) Katniss, the protagonist, lives in district 12, which is currently Appalachia. The government is a very strong dictatorship run by PRESIDENT Snow and requires the districts to send two children, one boy and one girl, between the ages twelve and eighteen to fight to the death gladiator-style once a year. The fight (called the Hunger Games) is televised and mandatory viewing for every person. The selection is through a lottery system, but of course is seen to be rigged by many. The first part of the trilogy is Katniss in the 74th Hunger games, the second part is the 75th Hunger Games, and the third is how the government and the people react after the 75th Games. I really don't want to spoil anything with more details than that.
I love the characters, the setting, the villains... EVERYTHING! It is an odd mix of Bladerunner, Little House in the Big Woods, and Saw. It is labeled as a young adult fiction series, but I was WAY too moody as a teen to handle this much struggle and strife without going into a deppression. If you're feeling blue about life in general, wait till things turn around a little to read it. Collins is awesome at creating a world with unique customs and triditions so very different than our own. But, she is able to connect with the readers by illustrating experiences common to so many- a little sister who adores a cat, a boy who appreciates lovely cakes, and a classic love triangle. What resonated with me so strongly was the human struggle for survival against our amazing ability to kill each other . Maybe because I'm still not sure if good will triumph evil in our world. I see President Snows out there and I'm just hoping a Mockingjay can stand up one day.
It is going to be released as a movie in March 2012 and the trailers are already out! Usually, I am pessismistic about books becoming movies, but not with this one. I believe that they casted extremely well, especially Lenny Kravitz as Cinna, and Woody Harrelson as Haymitch. The big screen will be able to show amazing juxtaposition (one of my favorite words!) of the extreme poverty of the districts verses the extreme opulence of the Capital.
Read it! And tell me what you thought... I hope you love it as much as I do. May the odds be ever in your favor.
No comments:
Post a Comment