Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.
Emilie Buchwald
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
This is a story set in a very dismal future (not generally a theme I gravitate towards). The world as we know it has changed (well the US at least) and there is now a ruling council and upper class and then districts which are numbered in order of importance. The story focusses on one main protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, from District 12 . Their lives are very difficult - most work in coal mines and there is rarely enough for everyone to eat.
Each year a reality show/ contest is held and each district sends one boy and one girl to compete. Each year, each eligible person - aged 12-18- has one entry but families can get extra food supplies if they submit the child's name again. The drawing is held and the names are pulled out. Katniss has a number of entries but this year her younger sister, Prim, is also eligible. Prim's name is pulled out and Katniss quickly volunteers to take her place. The competitors are taken to the capitol and prepared for battle. Each team has stylists and they are prepped for the contest.
Once the games begin, they are televised live. The most disturbing aspect of these games is that they are played to the death. Only one person can win. The one who makes it to the end. This in itself is disturbing and yet we recognise in it the society we live in today with its somewhat voyeuristic desire to engage superficially in people's lives in reality programs.
It is truly a horrendous battle. There are definitely some extreme scenes played out in the book but also some very poignant scenes as well. The story draws you in and keeps you turning the pages. I read this book recently and have to say despite the quite horrible story line I was captivated by it. It suggests 11+ as the age group but I would say that it is more appropriate for young adults. My 15 year old daughter is both sensitive and sensible about what she reads. She knows what she is able to read and doesn't want to read it. My 12 year old son really wants to read it but I have told him that I think not now.
There are 2 more books in the trilogy - Catching Fire and The Mockingjay and they follow on well and bring the story to a quite satisfactory conclusion.
Each year a reality show/ contest is held and each district sends one boy and one girl to compete. Each year, each eligible person - aged 12-18- has one entry but families can get extra food supplies if they submit the child's name again. The drawing is held and the names are pulled out. Katniss has a number of entries but this year her younger sister, Prim, is also eligible. Prim's name is pulled out and Katniss quickly volunteers to take her place. The competitors are taken to the capitol and prepared for battle. Each team has stylists and they are prepped for the contest.
Once the games begin, they are televised live. The most disturbing aspect of these games is that they are played to the death. Only one person can win. The one who makes it to the end. This in itself is disturbing and yet we recognise in it the society we live in today with its somewhat voyeuristic desire to engage superficially in people's lives in reality programs.
It is truly a horrendous battle. There are definitely some extreme scenes played out in the book but also some very poignant scenes as well. The story draws you in and keeps you turning the pages. I read this book recently and have to say despite the quite horrible story line I was captivated by it. It suggests 11+ as the age group but I would say that it is more appropriate for young adults. My 15 year old daughter is both sensitive and sensible about what she reads. She knows what she is able to read and doesn't want to read it. My 12 year old son really wants to read it but I have told him that I think not now.
There are 2 more books in the trilogy - Catching Fire and The Mockingjay and they follow on well and bring the story to a quite satisfactory conclusion.
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