The Hunger Games

[Tardis-Console]

The Hunger Games is a 2008 young adult novel by American writer Suzanne Collins. It is written in the voice of 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives in the post-apocalyptic nation of Panem, where the countries of North America once existed. The Capitol, a highly advanced metropolis, exercises political control over the rest of the nation. The Hunger Games are an annual event in which one boy and one girl aged 12–18 from each of the twelve districts surrounding the Capitol are selected by lottery to compete in a televised battle to the death.

[Tardis-Console]

Everybody raves about it and the movie was pretty good, so I picked up the first three books to see what the fuss is about.

I've done over half of this one so far and I'm really enjoying it. I'm suprised just how faithful the film was so far. I think in comparison, Katniss is far more likeable in the book than she is in the film, though I'm getting to the stage in the book now where I am beginning to wonder just how genuine a person she is. I mean, anyone would do anything to survive, I'm sure, but she is starting to come off a little calculating. I guess I will have to see how that pans out. It's easier to get an idea of her motives from this rather than on screen because the whole thing is her thoughts.

So anyone else read/reading this? What are your thoughts?

[Joshua]

I've read it and I have to say I loved THG. I really couldn't put it down, which is so nice to find.

She is a bit of a calculating character but I guess that's the way she's gotta be if she wants to survive the Games. I think she shows enough of her vulnerable side to make up for it, too

[chrissymarieb]

I enjoyed The Hunger Games book series as well and I think that they did a great job with the first film.  I am excited to see the next one.  I do get a bit annoyed at Katniss later in the book series, but I won't say why because I don't want to spoil anything for those that may not have finished yet   Overall though, very good series!

[poprockgeek]

I do get a bit annoyed at Katniss later in the book series, but I won't say why because I don't want to spoil anything for those that may not have finished yet 

If you want to talk about Catching Fire or Mockingjay you would need to start separate threads for them anyway. This thread is only for The Hunger Games book not the series.

[chrissymarieb]

I do get a bit annoyed at Katniss later in the book series, but I won't say why because I don't want to spoil anything for those that may not have finished yet 

If you want to talk about Catching Fire or Mockingjay you would need to start separate threads for them anyway. This thread is only for The Hunger Games book not the series.

Fair enough! 

[Peri-Peri]

The first book was brilliant. Her writing style is iffy and sometimes I wonder if anyone proof read what she wrote, but the bones of the story was awesome. The real shame is that because it's all told through Katniss' eyes some of the characters come off a bit one dimensional.

[Saber]

I whizzed through the first book so fast. I couldn't put it down. I agree with PP about some of the characters not being so well represented but I think it's to be expected given the nature of the storytelling. I think they got around that really well in the film though.

[Peri-Peri]

I whizzed through the first book so fast. I couldn't put it down. I agree with PP about some of the characters not being so well represented but I think it's to be expected given the nature of the storytelling. I think they got around that really well in the film though.

Yea they did. I wasn't sure beforehand how they would do it but I think they managed it really well without losing the sense of unknowing in the book. It also made it feel even more like a reality show.

[Sparky]

Her writing style is iffy and sometimes I wonder if anyone proof read what she wrote

I'd agree with this. I love the books and the first one is especially good, but through them all she makes a lot of mistakes and as a result some sentences don't make sense.

[Exterminate]

I got so hooked on this book, I couldn't believe it. I got through it in about 2 days because I couldn't put it down. I read it after seeing the film and expected to find something massively different to what I saw as I feel like most adaptations differ a lot more than I generally like, but I was shocked at just how faithful to the main story the film stayed. I'd agree with some of the comments above that the writing was sometimes iffy, but overall it's a great book.

[Joshua]

I remember reading it in about 2 days too! Really does hook you and you can't put it down. So refreshing to find a book like that.

[poprockgeek]

I couldn't put it down either. And I cried on at least one occasion 

[Sparky]

An excellent series. I saw the film first, but I think I preferred the book. I don't know, it's hard to choose. Both are awesome and I can't wait for the second film in November. I don't think I can discuss the second book here, can I?

[poprockgeek]

No, we'll need a new thread for Catching Fire - I'm surprised that we don't actually have one already.

[Joshua]

Nope, but feel free to start a Catching Fire thread!

I loved the film at first but enjoy it less on rewatch. I think it's really hindered by not showing blood and being a 12. Should just make it a 15 and feature a bit of blood to make it more realistic. But they'll never do that and lose half their audience

[poprockgeek]

Nope, but feel free to start a Catching Fire thread!

I loved the film at first but enjoy it less on rewatch. I think it's really hindered by not showing blood and being a 12. Should just make it a 15 and feature a bit of blood to make it more realistic. But they'll never do that and lose half their audience

I feel like this about alot of films - Hollywood seems obsessed with chasing the 12A/PG-13 rating these days (even when it's completely inappropriate).

[Mr Chinn]

Awesome book. I find her writing to be a bit iffy at times, but the story is great.