The Hunger Games

I have finally read the Hunger Games trilogy. I really want to write this blog post on the books but at the same time I am at a lost for words. Not because I found the series remarkable but because so much of it was disappointing. If you haven’t read the books, do not read any more of this post because there are lots of spoilers. If your a fan of the books then I also suggest you don’t ready any further.

Book 1: The Hunger Games

I watched the trailer for this series and was really excited to finally read the books. However while reading the books, I found it very predictable… Which is why I find it somewhat remarkable that so many authors can be seen on the book covers exclaiming how amazing or how original the books are… (whyyyyyy John Green, whyyyyyy?). First let me point out how not original the idea of the Hunger Games is.

Here is a quick synopsis for Battle Royale, a novel written by Koushun Takami in 1999:

In the near future, when the society of Japan is crumbling, 42 students find that their field trip is actually a military-sponsored game known as Battle Royale. The kids’ sadistic teacher, Kitano, sends them to an isolated island and gives them three days to kill each other until only one remains. Two of the kids, Shuya and Noriko, stay together and further develop their already-formed bond. A transfer student, Kawada, sympathizes with the two and chooses to help them. Others develop a plan to bring down the military game, try to find their crush before they die, or lose their minds and go on killing sprees.

 

Book 2: The Hunger Games – Catching Fire

The second book was better. Certainly less predictable but considerably more frustrating. The idea of Peeta and Katniss playing in the Hunger Games again made me mad, but part of me knew that it wouldn’t end the same so I waited for the catch. Also I found myself getting more attached to the characters. I nearly cried when I thought Gale died… and when Peeta’s heart stopped beating? I swear mine did too. Also this time I became more attached to the tributes (which I believe Collin’s wanted, looking at how the game played out).

 

Book 3: The Hunger Games – Mockingjay

A third book needed to be written, but this was not it. I was utterly disappointed by the ending. And I think that’s what has left me with an overall negative feeling for the books.

 

I couldn’t agree more. From the point where Katniss and Prim are hit with fire, the books take a dreadful downward spiral.

The ending with Gale was also dissatisfying. Making Gale a jerk was a quick fix to who Katniss should end up with. Now that I think about it, thoughout the series Collin’s didn’t really show that Katniss favoured either Peeta or Gale. And if left to her own devices I don’t believe the character Katniss would ever let either of them go and thus Collin’s overcomes this by just getting rid of Gale. I find it hard to believe that Gale (the best friend character Collin builds up in the three books) is the type to ditch Katniss especially at a time when she really needed him.

Now Peeta. He wasn’t my favourite in the first book but he warmed a place in my heart because that’s just who Peeta is. So the demise of his character was painful in the third book. I don’t mind that he was captured by Capitol after the Quarter Quell. I understand for the plot to thicken that has to happen and logically speaking expect that torture will take place. But what happen just fucked up his character for the rest of the book.

Also I know in a realistic world people who survive what Katniss and Peeta did will never recover mentally. I understand this, but this is teen fiction. At the end it just feels bleak and sad. Saving the districts from the Capitol cost Katniss her life (not in the physical meaning of the word).

I was also severely disappointed that passing her trial for Coin’s murder meant she was considered a lunatic. I’m not saying she wasn’t crazy but I’m saying they should have found out the truth that if the bomb that killed the children was set by Snow or Coin. Just sayin. This is also what make’s it so incomplete. There is no closure.

 

The major flaws in this book i think have been expressed brilliantly here http://www.kstatecollegian.com/edge/mockingjay-disappointing-end-to-hunger-games-trilogy-1.2536509#.Typ00oHAGso I suggest you read it!