As you may be able to tell from previous reviews, I'm not a big reader of young adult (YA) fiction. However, this first book in the Hunger Games trilogy is really something else.
I saw the film while it was in the cinemas and found myself very impressed and comparing it to the Japanese novel and film Battle Royale. The novel, however, goes beyond that. Although it does have elements of BR with the concept of a group of kids going to an island and fighting to the death, there is a lot more to go with it.
For a starter, the politics within the novel are very interesting, especially after my attending the 5 days Marxism fest. In the Hunger Games, rather than towns, people live in 12 districts with there being the rich districts, the industrial districts and the poverty-ridden districts. Along with this there is the Capitol state which holds the yearly Hunger Games. This is a capitalist state filled with rich people, huge feasts, genetically engineered creatures and spectacular events. This, I believe, is what helps to make the book attractive to adults.
For kids and/or young adults the concept of a bunch of kids fighting to the death creates an attractive story. If politics isn't your thing but fighting is, you'll love this book. If politics is your thing, you'll love this book.
Well researched and thought out it's no wonder The Hunger Games did so well. This is a novel great for escaping into but also good for getting one thinking that it's possible something like this could happen if capitalism took over. Saying that, it would help to get rid of all those bloody teenagers.
I have to admit that I'll be recommending this book (and possibly the sequels) to my little brother who never reads and maybe even my mum who wants to read that 50 Shades of Grey trash. If you wish to do the same, don't! Read this book instead.
This gets a generous 5 out of 5. Keep checking back for book 2.
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