The Hunger Games - A Book Review

As a seasoned reader and amateur writer myself, I know how difficult it is to write the masterpiece that will pin your name to the noticeboard of history. It's even more difficult to do so in such a way that people a hundred years later will be able to read the thing and not (a) think it's complete rubbish or (b) find it unreadable. Take 'To Kill A Mockingbird', for example. The great American classic. It's not all that exciting, especially in the first few chapters. But it has prevailed due to a good prose and a lovely plot, and this has made sure that 'Harper Lee' has become a household name throughout the world. It's even inspired certain celebrities (point the finger at the Beckham family here) to name their children after her. Hopefully, Suzanne Collins' 'The Hunger Games' trilogy will be the same.

The US version of 'The Hunger Games'. Note the Mockingjay.

'The Hunger Games' follows the trials of the contestants in the brutal 'Hunger Games', an annual fight to the death between twenty four contestants, one male and one female from each of the twelve 'districts'. Katniss volouteers to fight in the games in place of her younger sister, Prim, and so begins an epic battle for her life. Of course, there just has to be a hitch - Peeta, the boy chosen from Katniss' district.

But I've said enough already. Now to the real thing. the review.
   The very idea behind this book is intriguing. In a seemingly post-apocalyptic world, one country remains - Panem. Each year, one boy and one girl from each of the twelve districts are chosen to fight to the death in a fantastic arena, with only one survivor at the end. With a premise like this, what on Earth could go wrong?
   Basically nothing is the answer. The plot's pretty tight-knit, with no plot holes that I can spot. The past is hinted at throughout the book, though a year is never placed on the story. That's what makes it so excellent. The imagination can't fix it to one spot, so, unlike '1984', it can't exactly be proved wrong. Also, the idea that everyone must die but one means that one can kill off anyone they like, or even if they don't like, to get towards that ultimate, inevitable end. The 'last man standing' sort of thing. I like it.

The characters in this book are fairly excellent. Katniss, the hardcore hunter girl, is fantastic, and Prim is just sweet. Peeta has a very deep element to him. It sort of starts with us knowing very little about him, but he surprises readers by becoming quite central. Well, I say readers... I meant me. I can't really speak for anyone else, can I?
   There are some proper good characters in this book, and I really like them. And, of course, a great cast always contributes to a great production, right? Well, that's what you think...

The way this book is written is stellar. In many ways, it is mind-blowingly shocking, howvere you know that the heart-wrenching final goodbyes to the dying have to happen in order for Katniss to survive. That does not, however, make it any less soul destroying. Then again, when I compare this to the third book in the series (Mockingjay), this volume is practically a paddle in the duckpond.
   asides from the mind-numbing brutality of certain parts, this is a very fast-paced and action-packed book. Once you get to the arena, you literally cannot put the book down. An unputdownable read if I've ever read one, says I.

So, with that said, a rating must be given.
   Solid nine (9). With a fantastic, fast-paced plot and a great cast of characters, this book is due to become a classic, I'm sure. It takes its place on my Shelf of Honour alongside the other great reads that time has brought to me.
   And of course, it's only the first in a series of three. And then there's the film that's coming out this coming month. Muhahahaha... Assuming they don't ruin the whole thing, it should be great.