Hunger Games is by far my favorite book that we've read this semester. I was unable to put the book down and read the whole thing in one sitting. I think it is an extremely well written and engrossing story. Suzanne Collins manages to incorporate so many different elements so effectively that it's obvious why this book is a bestseller. It has aspects that can appeal to many different audiences. This book also reminded me of many others that I have read such as The Giver, Lord of the Flies, 1984, and more.
Although I think that Collins created a very interesting world she doesn't develop it very much or explain a great deal to the reader. However, as much as I would like to know more about the Districts and the Capitol and the whole world in which the characters live, Collins doesn't need to in order to make the book a success. I think her entire construction of the novel around the Hunger Games was very clever. She is able to build up the world, the characters, and the story around it and it adds a sense of mystery that further engrosses the reader.
My one issue is that I found the book very predictable. Since it is the first in a trilogy, I was never really concerned for Katniss' safety, it seemed guaranteed. Also, the book seemed to follow a very predictable progression of events. The reader immediately knows that Katniss will end up participating in the games and that something will develop between her and Peeta. It's very apparent that they will be the final two. I also felt that Collins doesn't really resolve the issue of Peeta and Katniss. This might be because it is the first book in a trilogy and this is Collins' way of holding onto the readers' interest, however, I felt that the end was unsatisfying and a little lackluster. There is also the issue of Gale. In the beginning it appears as though he will be an important character, yet he his main role in the rest of the book seems to be to complicate Katniss' feelings about Peeta.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and I will definitely be finishing the trilogy.
No comments:
Post a Comment