The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
I read The Hunger Games in less than three days.
The book is about a post-apocalyptic North America, or Panem as they call it, with its center and ruling district, the Capitol. There was a revolution in Panem once and the Capitol squashed every person, or a whole district, tied to the uprising. So to remind people of that dark past, the twelve remaining districts yearly sacrifice a young girl and a young boy each to fight to the death—The Hunger Games. And the narrator, Katniss Everdeen, is one of them. The winner get instant fame and food for their famished district.
If I haven't said it enough, it's a fairly easy read. It has an exciting and flowing story; I read bulk chapters in a breeze. With simple yet encompassing words describing every bloody and woeful scene, the narrator's confusing feelings, and even her admirable wit and cleverness, it succeeds in letting the reader walk a few steps in Katniss' shoes. Though thinking about some of the book's love angle (Yes, there are bits and pieces of young love) now seems "Duh..." but she's, what, sixteen?! I think we can let those pass. It's kinda refreshing to read about a sixteen-year-old girl who's really forced to grow up during difficult times, and really have no time left for "other" stuff.
It's really a no-spoiler to say Katniss survives (You have to read it if she wins or not, and find out the "how" part.) in The Hunger Games, because there's a second and third book. I'm off to read the next one.
The Hunger Games gets seven out of ten, for not being saturated with young love, having a girl heroin, and all the action. Hehe.
*photo from aleapopculture.blogspot.com
3 comments :
By the way, I just remembered:
"Panem" is Latin for "bread".
There is an old Latin saying called "Panem et Circenses". This literally means "bread and circuses". It was said that all the ancient Roman citizens ever need are bread and circuses. As long as they're fed and they're entertained, there is no reason why they should revolt. And that's what the ancient Romans did: give the masses bread, and give them entertainment through the gladiatorial games.
And in this book, the same concept of "panem et circenses" is used by the Capitol, with their circuses being the Hunger Games itself.
Wala lang. Useless Latin trivia. Hehe.
Thank you, Mr. StingLacson for your Latin expertise. It doesn't change the fact that you read it in two days. Addict! Hehe
Uy, hindi useless a. Napa-"oo nga noh!" moment ako diyan. Di ko agad na-make yung connection ng Pan sa Panem and the way na maraming focus about the bread. :P
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