The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1) by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've enjoyed reading the Gregor the Overlander series. This story, while different from the Overlander books, was also impressive. I immediately became deeply involved with the characters. The descriptions are colorful and there is plenty of wry humor. This book isn't perfect, nor is it the first story about an group of people that are forced to kill one another in an enclosed area, but the dystopian setting makes it unique.

I noticed several similarities to the movie The Condemned. Condemned killers must fight each other to the death on a deserted island for the prize of freedom, while being spectated via the internet. Despite low ratings, I enjoyed this movie. I also saw parallels with the TV show Sliders Season 1, Episode 9: Luck of the Draw and Season 3, Episode 1: Rules of the Game.

The story takes place in the country of Panem, which rose from the ruins of North America. There is a Capital surrounded by districts. Each of the districts have their own industry or contribution to the Capital. The Capital recalls its history as industriously bringing peace and prosperity to its citizens when the thirteen districts held an uprising. The attempt failed. District 13 was wiped out and the remaining 12 Districts were defeated. The Capital had the advantage of a prime geographic location, which made it difficult to infiltrate. It was also ruthless. While I appreciated the simplicity of the details, I would have liked more political background information. I didn't catch any mention of the other world continents. How are they faring and what is their relationship with Panem ? Do they have their own version of the Hunger Games? Does Panem have a military? With Panem's citizens living miserably harried lives, how do they maintain loyalty to country ?

The Hunger Games resulted as a punishment for the uprising attempt. I am unsure if the story specifies the number of years the games have taken place, but they seem to be an accepted part of life. Winners become mentors and the mentor for District 12 is described as 'middle aged'. Each year a male and female aged 12-18 is chosen from each district through a lottery type draw, (knowing my luck this would be just the type of lottery I would win) and the 24 contestants are imprisoned in a large outdoor arena. The climates and settings vary from year to year. They fight to the death and the last surviving contestant wins. The entire event is televised and all citizens are expected to watch. The power, which usually just works for a few hours a day, always seems to work when the Game is aired. This is the Capital's message to the citizens that they are at its mercy. The citizens fear that if they try to stop it they will obliterated just like District 13. Yes it sounds gruesome and far fetched, but many youth in our modern world die for their country. At least in America the risk of dying for your country is still a 'choice'.

The Capitol's vantage of control is achieved by keeping its citizens hungry. Several of the districts are surrounded by food sources, but access is forbidden. District 12 is surrounded by a fence that separates them from the woods. They are told its purpose is to keep out predators. Trespassing over the fence is illegal and there are stiff penalties for poaching. These rules also prevent the construction and need for weapons which could be used in a rebellion. Other districts have similar stories of oppression. The district of agriculture isn't allowed to eat the crops. If they are caught they are publicly whipped. The Capital's goal is to keep people hungry and dependent.

Needy entrants are given the option of adding additional entries for a 'tessera'. A tessera entitles them to a skimpy years supply of grain and oil for one person. This is a way to separate the rich from the poor. If people distrust one another they are less likely to stage a successful revolt against the Capital's agenda.

The winners get many prizes, mainly food. The winning district gets grain, oil and sugar while the other districts continue to battle starvation. Some districts train their kids their whole lives, putting them at an advantage. Technically this is against the rules, but it happens every year. These contestants are called “Career Tributes'. With a 1 in 24 chance of surviving, the odds still aren't that great.

The story focuses on Katniss who is a citizen of District 12 (the district of coal mining). She is a refreshing change from the typical, desperate to be loved, female protagonist currently featured in many young adult novels. She knows what needs to be done to survive and she does it. I can't help but to think she is a person quite unlike myself. My pet bunnies are chomping on expensive fresh organic greens as I inspect my expired cup of noodles for bugs...

Katniss and her 12 year old sister attend the reaping, which is the festivity where they draw the 'winners' names. Attendance is mandatory and those who do not attend are imprisoned. The reaping helps the Capitol keep track of the population. And we worry about a draft, lol. Katniss's sister's name is drawn, and Katniss volunteers to go in her place.

The drawing of the male contestant, Peeta Mellark, evolves into an awkward situation for Katniss. When Katniss's father died, grief caused her mother to be indisposed and she was left to support her family. She was desperate and near starvation when Peeta gave her some bread and suffered punishment for this act of kindness. She is weighted down by the feeling that she owes him 'something'. Ultimately they are expected to kill one another to survive.

Katniss is not in a romantic relationship, but she has a male 'friend'. She met Gale shortly after her father died. They were both struggling to support their families after their fathers died in the same mine blast . Their friendship gradually developed as they helped one another out by sharing their skills. They had an arrangement prior to the drawing that if either was forced to play the other would help out the affected family. Katniss faces an emotional conflict because she later develops a confusing friendship with Peeta. Katniss compares Gale to Peeta several times throughout the story. She trusts Gale entirely while she must question Peeta's motives.

District 12's mentor and adviser is Haymitch, the districts only living survivor. He is an overweight, middle-aged alcoholic. Although he appears to be a deadbeat, he eventually provides valuable advice. It isn't entirely clear as to why he so miserably failed to assist all the previous groups, but apparently a confrontation with Katniss and Peeta got through to him and he realizes he has a 'pair of fighters' this year. I felt this part was a bit weak, and it might have taken a bit more to get through to someone like Haymitch.

Haymitch advises them to spend their training time with other districts by learning things they don't know and avoiding showing what they are best at. They focus on knot tying, trapping, camouflaging, starting fires, making shelters and many of the same things my son is currently learning at boy scout camp. Even though it is 'against the rules' I found it surprising that kids wouldn't try to learn these things in every day life. Instead of playing house 'Lets play the Hunger Games'... If families can't get their act together to stage another revolt, they could at least add learning basic survival life-skills to their evening pastimes. Maybe the odds were too low, they felt it was hopeless, or they were too busy trying to survive ? During their private lessons Peeta and Katniss focus on their 'strengths'. Peeta can lift things and wrestle, and Katniss is an excellent marksman.

After training, contestants participate in what is quite literally a 'finishing' school. They are judged and trained on their abilities, their presentation and an interview. During these events Katniss is in awe as she scrutinizes all the disgusting frivolity and wealth surrounding her. The people of the Capital live a life of grandour while everyone else suffers in poverty. Someone just commented to me today about how all the wealth is America is becoming concentrated in certain areas. Little of it seems to be trickling back down. Something to think about I suppose...

I really liked when Peeta discloses to Katniss that he wants to die as himself, not some murderous savage. He however admits he won't go down without a fight. No religious or spiritual beliefs are mentioned in the story, but it would be onerous to defy basic moral values by killing peers who are forced into the same horrific predicament.

Haymitch's final advice, before they enter the arena, is to go for safety and find a water source. I was a little surprised they didn't ask Haymitch more questions, such as 'What is it like to kill someone ?'.

When they enter the arena there is a horn filled with supplies. Katniss is eying all the supplies which values decrease the further away from the horn they are. I am such a hoarder I would probably die right in the beginning, tussling over supplies. My head would be lopped off in an effort to get a pack of post its. Katniss is more sensible than this and is also deterred by Peeta's insistence to ignore the bow and arrows she has spotted. She ends up with the sheet of plastic, a loaf of bread, an orange backpack with various supplies and the knife a girl from district 12 nearly kills her with. At this point I am rooting "Yeah you can use the plastic to suffocate them in their sleep !" (which doesn't happen)

I thought the part where Katniss was spotted in the tree could have been more convincing (Pg. 183). She is encountered by a group of 6, several of which are Career Tributes. I wasn't sold that anyone couldn't hit her with the bow. Only one tries ? Were they worried about wasting arrows? I know when I am with a group of people it feels like I am always waiting for someone... It seems like they would have found 'some' time to practice if they weren't already skilled. It starts off with Katniss up the tree 20 feet. Cato says he will do better with his sword. She makes it to 50 feet and he falls. She then makes it to 80 feet. I read this while I was outside looking up at redwoods, so hitting someone with a bow and arrow at 80 feet when you are not a 'marksman' might be difficult. They decide she will eventually tire and come down from the tree. While they are sleeping she releases a hive of tracker jackets, a hybrid of hallucinogenic, venomous killer wasps, and of course escapes. I guess when you are with a group, it also takes longer to come up with a sensible plan of action...

I had some difficulty picturing how the mechanics of the arena worked. Page 148 gives a description of the forest layout, where the lake is and so forth. It seems engineered to be easily manipulated by the game masters. The streams and pond are drainable. Its described as an out door arena so it must be really tall walls with an open sky? The temperature can be controlled, lightening can be employed and a buffet table can pop up out out nowhere (hmm...).

I liked the ending. I am really looking forward to the next book. Unfortunately I accidentally looked at the description of book 3 and that gave away what happens in book 2. Hopefully there will still be plenty surprises.

I am also excited about the movie The Hunger Games. Hopefully they won't mess it up. I can't wait to see the costumes ! squee :)

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