Update:Now I finally gave in and read The Hunger Games. I don't know why I keep trying to avoid Young Adult Fiction. I'm just hurting myself because it seems to be pretty awesome.
Book One did a really great job of pulling me into the story. I enjoyed that the author didn't give a background or summary of what the hunger games were at the beginning of the book, but let details out bit by bit so I had to keep reading to find out more.
Also really great, or terrible, the author ends it so that you have to read the next book. Things aren't wrapped up nicely. I'm so happy that I didn't read these books as they were coming out and had to wait for the next book to be released. I wouldn't be able to take it! I couldn't even take the wait to get it from the library. Position 704 in the queue! I decided to buy it, but it's only out in hardback and I just couldn't justify it. But I did eventually cave a few hours later and got it for the Kindle. I think it's stupid to pay money for a book I'll only read once, but I had no choice! I need this.
- Megan Leigh
So this is actually a young adult book, but I've been seeing a lot of adults reading it on the subway. Then, when we had the book fair, a lot of parents told me it was a must-read. So I decided to give it a try!
I found this book to be really gripping. It took me about a day to finish it, and it was very hard to put down. It's written in a really simple, no-frills style--which is probably because it was meant for young adults, but, given who the narrator is, it works well. This book is so brutal, though, that it's hard for me to imagine young adults reading it. It was hard for me to deal with! Although I think I get more and more sensitive to violence and stuff as I get older.
I guess it is a timely book too. With more of our citizens locked up than any other high-income nation, one of the highest levels of income inequality of all the OECD nations, really high rates of violence, and our obsession with reality tv... maybe the post-apocalyptic North America envisioned in this book isn't all that far off.
The ending was a little anti-climactic, but I guess it was intentionally written to lead up to the sequel... and it also must be hard to wrap up a really good book. I give it a hearty recommendation! I will be reading the next one in the series.
-Kristin
4 comments:
I've read the whole series now and thought they were good. The second book was so-so, but was wrapped up with the third. They're making a movie out of it now. I'm not sure if they are going to gear it towards kids or not...seems like too much violence to make it a kid movie.
I just ordered the second one from the library. It is going to take a long time to come in, and I want it NOW! I agree with you. It seems like it would be pretty gory and terrifying for a kid's movie.
Ian said all the kids at school are talking about the movie and he wants to go. Once I started the book, I wondered if he could handle the movie. I told him to read the book first, but there are no pictures, so I don't know that he will.
Yes, we had the Hunger Games at Elliot's school bookfair, and after I read it I was kind of horrified that we sold it to little kids! It's pretty intense. I wonder if I will be able to handle the movie!
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