The Hunger Games (Books)

Published: 14th September 2008
Rating: 10/10 (I know!)

Firstly I'll start by saying how enveloping and engrossing these books are, so before you endeavour to tackle them, set aside some time because it is seriously difficult to put them down! As a voracious reader, who has consumed many a book in my 18 years, this is rather a large statement, and nonetheless remains honest and apt.

The Premise:
And ingenious idea for a series of books. The idea of 12-18year olds fatefully chosen to compete in a deadly arena against vicious opponents whilst maintaining standard survival, until 1 remains victorious is indeed abhorrent and shocking. Made worse by the fact the whole thing is annual and televised for the entertainment and viewing of the sadistic residents in the 'Capitol', a state which retains all power over the 12 districts who are forced to relinquish two unlucky 'tributes' in order to pay for an ancestral uprising decades previous. 

The story is told is present tense by Katniss, a girl who volunteers to take her sister's place as tribute in The Hunger Games. Our sympathy and positioning is immediately with Katniss, although she is hostile and resents many things in her life (especially the Capitol) which is understandable. Joined by a boy called Peeta whom she had a vague encounter with in her youth, she learns how she must act to gain favour from sponsors who will effectively help her survive the games.
Even without seeing Liam Hemsworth first as Gale in the film, I find it hard not to love his character, even though he features so little in each book and you are often faced with Peeta's sweet nature and undying love for Katniss. Throughout, I felt a strong sense of destiny and how Gale and Katniss were meant to be together although Peeta, survival and political corruption often rupture the relationship throughout with a tireless facade devised in the first book between the Hunger Games' District 12 tributes.

Second Book 'Catching Fire':

After the somewhat tense ending of the first book, I delved straight into the sequel. The start was initially a little slow and I wondered what twists and advancements on the first book it could have. The political unrest caused by Katniss' victory stunt at the finale of The Hunger Games was a great consequence and cause for continuation into Catching Fire and I found myself becoming very emotionally attached to this series, as the first-person perspective of Katniss manufactures a false sense of you experiencing the events with her. Emotions run high in this middle novel as brutality surfaces out of the arena and Katniss must comply with those she resents in order to suppress the uprisings and save those she loves. Having Katniss reenter the Hunger Games and compete in the more vicious 'Quarter Quell' which is a special games every 25 years usually with a large twist (such as the fiftieth games involved twice as many tributes) was unexpected and a great plot addition, especially as she must fight the previous victors. Even when I'd put the book down, I was thinking about the storyline and the possibilities that could unravel from the current situation I'd 'left' the characters in.

An insight:

Although obviously not the real trailer, as the film is not released until November 2013, this does provide some insight as to the plot line of the second book through some titles and scenes of distress featuring the main characters (although mostly from their other films)

Film vs. Book:
Having seen the film first, it actually increased my interest in the book, as although I knew the chronology and therefore what was going to happen. However, the film is toned down frequently and there are some inevitable alterations which meant that the book added some further background and story points not explored in the film, although not reducing the predictability of the ending obviously. 

A lot of the specific details in the book are significantly missing as scenes are shortened in order to comply with timings. The book is long due to the detail and if the film were to follow it directly, it would've been far too long and tedious. Conversely, having read the book and then rewatched the film, it is far less entertaining as they miss details out that are noticeable, like Katniss injuring Peeta on an urn before the Games and the 'muttation' dogs having significant traits and aspects of the fallen tributes.
Also, as the book is written in first person narrative, I feel that Katniss should have perhaps narrated a bit, to show the audience her perspective, much like Bella in The Twilight Saga. As the film diverts away slightly from this viewpoint, extra scenes are incorporated such as the conversation between Seneca Crane and President Snow following the training ratings, the interactions in the Gamemakers' studio and reactions to certain points in the games from districts and Haymitch, making the film quite different from the book.

The premise of the film is shown well although the brutality of the games is reduced supposedly due to the rating and a need to market the film to a wider age range. Furthermore, the fake romance between Katniss and Peeta is also reduced, as in the book a lot more kissing occurs in order to increase believability to the sponsors and make Peeta obedient.

Jennifer Lawrence plays an excellent Katniss, showing surly attitude and hostility throughout. Meanwhile Josh Hutcherson as Peeta is sweet as necessary, but is a little shorter than the book indicates and his deep brown eyes are not addressed as an issue when in the book the bright blue of them is a key feature of his appearance. Liam Hemsworth provides the real 'heartthrob' with Gale who will definitely be a prominent character in the second and third films due to his large presence in the books.




The futuristic setting of the book also makes the film effects seem a little poor as when reading, imagination conjures the setting and all these new things like the faux fire Cinna creates - which looks really computer generated and therefore compromises the believability. In conjunction with this, the forest fire is really obviously not real and for a film in 2012, shows real lacking compared to things like Inception years ago in which effects can make the audience gasp.



Summary:
- An epic trilogy of books (although I have only just started the Mockingjay)
- Catching Fire is the best novel, and I'm hoping the film will do it justice!
- The best series I've ever read due to the interesting premise and first person narrative which fully engrosses you
- Strong characters and a real sense of villainy from President Snow and the Peacekeepers
- A MUST READ!