The titles by Suzanne Collins are marketed as young adult, but really not limited to young adult readers. Actually, I often believe that YA books are as creative, or more so, than many books written for the adult audience. The Harry Potter books are a good example of this - and this series also has a lot of very grown-up ideas and responsibilities being carried on the shoulders of young protagonists.
The setting is the US after a war - and it is divided into 12 districts, plus the capital city. People in the capital live in luxury, while the districts supply various goods and mostly live in poverty or near-poverty. The districts once rebelled and thus are being restricted so they cannot rebel again. On top of that, there are some pretty sadistic controls built into the system that are reminiscent of the decadence of past societies - like the Roman bread and circuses, the people are kept pacified by plenty of bloody entertainment, along with near-starvation.
The Hunger Games are the annual Olympics - being chosen for the competion is something like being chosen for the arena. Two young people are chosen from each district - a girl and boy from each - and then thrown into combat where the last one living wins. Not only do they win their lives, but they live in luxury for the rest of their days, and every person in their district gets additional food for the next year. Everything is televised, and everyone is required to watch. There are elaborate ceremonies before hand, interviews, costuming, etc., to draw in the public. It is a mix of our reality television plus a sports team affiliation, but with lots of blood and suffering.
So when Katniss, a 15 year old girl who supports her family by (illegal) hunting to supplement their meagre diet, sees her younger sister chosen to participate, she doesn't hesitate to volunteer to replace her in the Games.
Book 1 takes Kat through the games and eventual triumph. Book 2 concerns a special, 25-year event that pulls back the winners of the annual games to compete against each other. Book 3 details Kat's transition from competitor to leader of the rebellion against the capital rulers in an effort to free the people from the tyranny of their society.
An excellent effort.
___
Other books read since last post - 61 Hours by Lee Child, Little Men by Louisa May Alcott.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Sunday, September 5, 2010
E-books and more
I bought a Nook recently and have been getting accustomed to e-books. It is a difficult transition. For one thing, having no physical book in one's hands makes it a bit more difficult to recall what I have read and what I haven't yet finished, since I no longer have piles of books to discern the difference.
With that said, here is what I have read since my last entry:
Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes is probably the "newest" book on my recently read list. A novel about being an infantryman in Vietnam, it has been hailed as the first realistic depiction of what it was like to serve in that war, complete with the stupidity of the higher-ups in exaggerating the body count for public relations. There were moments when I simply shook my head at the incidents. Worthwhile.
I became enamored of Lee Child's series on ex-Military Policeman Jack Reacher, who travels with only the clothes on his back in an exploration of America and puts things right. I first read the thirteenth book in the series, Gone Tomorrow, and liked it well enough to order the preceding twelve books, which I tore through in succession. Reacher as a character is very well drawn, and his particular life and talents serve as a jumping-off point for his finding, and correcting, injustices. Great series. I look forward to much more from this author.
Sandman Slim by Richard Kadry reminded me of the Harry Dresden series in that the protagonist is not quite human, and has some superhuman powers. In this case, "Slim" is a damned soul who fought his way out of hell. If you can swallow the premise, the adventure is worth the read.
I revisited the history of World War II in The Winds of War and War and Remembrance, both by Herman Wouk. Don't know how I missed these when one of my favorite novels by this author, The Caine Mutiny, is worth rereading every couple of years. These two follow the involvement of a family through service in WWII, in Europe, the war in the Pacific, and in the concentration camps of Nazi Germany. At times, the author devolves into thick historical overviews, which might encourage skimming, but the reader picks up some knowledge even in spite of the lectures.
Books read thus far this year exceed the goal of 52, and it is only September. As of today, I've read 58 new books in 2010.
With that said, here is what I have read since my last entry:
Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes is probably the "newest" book on my recently read list. A novel about being an infantryman in Vietnam, it has been hailed as the first realistic depiction of what it was like to serve in that war, complete with the stupidity of the higher-ups in exaggerating the body count for public relations. There were moments when I simply shook my head at the incidents. Worthwhile.
I became enamored of Lee Child's series on ex-Military Policeman Jack Reacher, who travels with only the clothes on his back in an exploration of America and puts things right. I first read the thirteenth book in the series, Gone Tomorrow, and liked it well enough to order the preceding twelve books, which I tore through in succession. Reacher as a character is very well drawn, and his particular life and talents serve as a jumping-off point for his finding, and correcting, injustices. Great series. I look forward to much more from this author.
Sandman Slim by Richard Kadry reminded me of the Harry Dresden series in that the protagonist is not quite human, and has some superhuman powers. In this case, "Slim" is a damned soul who fought his way out of hell. If you can swallow the premise, the adventure is worth the read.
I revisited the history of World War II in The Winds of War and War and Remembrance, both by Herman Wouk. Don't know how I missed these when one of my favorite novels by this author, The Caine Mutiny, is worth rereading every couple of years. These two follow the involvement of a family through service in WWII, in Europe, the war in the Pacific, and in the concentration camps of Nazi Germany. At times, the author devolves into thick historical overviews, which might encourage skimming, but the reader picks up some knowledge even in spite of the lectures.
Books read thus far this year exceed the goal of 52, and it is only September. As of today, I've read 58 new books in 2010.
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