The Hunger Games

The “Hunger Games” is a trilogy, written by Suzanne Collins, composed by “The Hunger Games”, “Catching Fire” and “Mockingjay”. It’s a young-adult science fiction novel, but not about vampires or fantastic creatures; it’s a type of criticism towards the poverty, the hunger, the war’s effects or the excessive Government’s power, in a post-apocalyptic situation.  

The first book was published in September 2008, and since then it’s impossible to count the number of copies that has been sold; it has also been translated into 26 different languages and you can find it in paperback, audiobook and ebook too. Suzanne Collins has said that her inspiration came from channel surfing (first she saw a reality show and then a program about a war) but the Teseo’s myth had an influence too.  

Plot

It’s about a catastrophic future, in which North America is divided into 12 districts governed by the Capitol; it organized every year a kind of reality show, called “The Hunger Games”, where two tributes of each district must participated and whose motto is “Kill or you’re died”, so it can only have one survivor, the winner. The reason of this reality show is that years ago there was a war against the Capitol, and the people who formed it don’t want that this event happens again, so it a kind of reminder.

I’m not going to make a summary of the first book, and of course not of the two others. I think read the books is worth the trouble, you should read it!

The characters

Katniss Everdeen: A 16 years old teenager who participated in the 74^th Hunger Games representing the District 12, but not because she was chosen in the lottery; because she decided to stand for tribute in her sister Primrose place, who was the really chosen one.

Peeta Mellark: A 16 years old teenager who was the men’s tribute to represent the District 12 in this Hunger Games. He has been in loved with Katniss since he saved her from hunger more than 10 years ago.

Haymitch Abernathy: He’s the two tributes’ mentor, who became alcoholic after win the 50^th Hunger Games. He should instruct and give them advices to win this competition.

Gale Hawthorne: Katniss’ best friend who is 18 years old.

The film

In March 2009, Lions Gate Entertainment decided to co-produce the films based in these books, with Gary Ross as the director, and the result was excellent; The Hunger Games film has had a resounding success! It has been co-written by the own author Suzanne Collins, with Gary Ross and Billy Ray collaboration. It has been very good received in every place, and also has had very positives reviews. In France and other many countries it was opened the 21^st March 2012, in UE the 23^rd March and in Spain we have had to wait until the 20^th April. The film and the actors have been nominated for many different prizes, like CinemaCon Awards 2012, NewNowNext Awards 2012, MTV Movie Awards or Teen Choice Awards 2012, and most of them have been won.

CAST

Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen.       Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark.

  

Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorme.   Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy.

                                    

Personal opinion

I think these books are just amazing. The author has made it in a way in which every book continues being science fiction novels but very realistic at the same time, because she sets the story in a catastrophic future, but not with fantastic facts. It's the kind of book that you can’t stop reading! I honestly recommend it, and also the film, because it’s very very similar, despite of its unavoidable differences. 

                                                                        María Cabezas González.