The Hunger Games: The Book Version of Crack
I really enjoyed these books. No, wait, I was addicted to these books.
As in, my friend S dropped them off to me on Wednesday while I was vacuuming out my car, and even though I was in the middle of it, I sat down on the pile of excess car stuff I’d gathered up- including a chocolate from The Olive Garden- and started reading, my car doors open, the vacuum cleaner perched on the backseat, and my floormats elsewhere.
And I read. For four hours, outside, even after I discovered chocolate on my dress, even though my phone was buzzing, even though I was thirsty and the vacuum cleaner was stolen and there were neighborhood kids dropping off their backpacks and grabbing their bikes. Sitting in my car, mouth slightly open, the day unseasonably warm. And as soon as it was over, I sighed happily, put away the vacuum cleaner, fixed my dress, caught up on the internet.
And then I picked up Catching Fire, vowing to only read half so I could get some sleep. I plowed through, though at one point I noticed throwingpens had just posted something on tumblr, and thus I sent her a message telling her all the things that were happening in my brain at that moment about the book, because that’s something someone wants, right? And then I proceeded to do that all night, till I closed the book. I then vowed to lock myself in a room, listen to Adele, and cry. Instead, I went to bed, because I had to go to work about five hours later.
The third book, Mockingjay I started the next day on my break at work, which was a mistake, because Thursday was to be my day off from the books. Alas, I’d started, and once I had, I kept going, harassing Amber through it, putting it down every few chapters to go back to my real life, and then picking it right back up again.
At the end of the second-to-last chapter, I screamed. And then again, and again, as I read that last chapter. Then I read the epilogue, put the book down, screamed again until the edges of my vision were starting to get dark, and then took a deep breath and went out to dinner.
So!
Let’s break this down into topics:
Rue
I wasn’t going to cry, because I’d already seen the movie, I knew what was coming, and I didn’t need to cry.
I cried.
Haymitch
Haymitch was probably one of my favorite characters, possibly because he got to be comic relief in books that were funnier than they should have been, but not hilarious. He was just likable, and, as it would turn out, a pretty good mentor too. Loved all the Quarter Quell backstory for him. And the running thread of how winning the Hunger Games screwed up the tributes really made me want him to succeed.
I was fairly certain he’d be killed, probably in some creative way, in book three. I was certain of it. After all, the mentor, the Yoda, always dies. And I was dreading it, because he’s a father figure, even he did use Kat for her Mockingjay status. But I’m delighted that the book ends with him being K/P’s neighbor, even though I’m not sure how he escaped the author’s noose.
Effie
Effie was always sort of ridiculous, but I love her. She’s actually, in my mind, a fairly relatable character, because she’s constantly doing uncomfortable, crazy things to look good, and who hasn’t bent over backwards trying to standout-yet-fit-in? I thought it was lovely how even the most obviously mockable characters, including Kat’s prep team, always got to have some dignity and respect from Kat eventually. I wonder if she ended up getting executed, but in my mind, she did not.
Gale
I enjoyed Gale as a character, and I was a little shocked at how his story ended, but upon reflection I think that actually makes the narrative stronger. It’s easy, sometimes, to forget these books are about a sixteen/seventeen year old, because so many of the things she deals with-family, getting engaged, facing down death at least twice-age her, but really, how many people at seventeen are still friends with the people they liked at twelve? You grow, you change, and hardships sharpen you into the person you’re going to become, and you grow apart. And Katniss had two crazy life experiences, and ended up feeling very different about war than her best friend. And her best friend, who hadn’t experienced the games, came of age at just the right time when his anger could be exploited into something destructive, and he gave into that.
What really shocked me, I suppose, was the finality of the thing- but then, given the circumstances, I can see why she’d never see him again.
But enough about his end, let’s talk about the beginning of his story.
There’s something really lovely about that friend you have that you can just be with, and I think the K/G friendship is fabulous in that. Really, he’s the only friend we spend any significant with, and I love that they have these families who rely on each other.
I assumed she wasn’t going to pick him. The constant refrain of “cousin”-not just when they interviewed Kat’s people during the Games, but I noticed Peeta always assumed that too, and mentioned it on the train to the Capital-emphasized the semi-incestual nature of the friend-into-lovers scenario.
But to me, I realized there was no way Gale was going to end up with Katniss, and that was when he got upset that Kat wanted to bring Peeta into the woods with them, whereas Peeta assumed Gale would come along. When Peeta later pulled out the locket, that just confirmed my assertion.
Peeta
I really like Peeta. Peeta, in my mind, appeals to the sixteen year old girl that lives inside of me that occasionally chooses my earrings. And my sixteen year old self loves Peeta, for being sweet and kind and not a murderer for the most part. But more than that, he’s got that artistic spirit, and he doesn’t try to go past first base, and he’s totally cute.
Um.
Anyway, I think that most of my favorite moments in the trilogy deal with Peeta, from his “she has no idea. The effect she can have on people” in the first book (and the callback in the third) to “You try to protect me. Real or not?” to his THG/CF interactions with Cesar Flickman. I recognize the books are about something much deeper than dating, but I’d be lying if I said I’d have enjoyed them as much without a romance subplot.
And the way Suzanne Collins rolled that out, and kept it going over 1200 pages was a master class in romantic tension.
Prim
Eh.
The Ending to Mockingjay
I might need to reread this, because (1) What was that final mission, and how did it make sense to send K/P-surely there were easier ways to kill off Katniss? (2) I just can’t understand how Kat could vote yes on another round of the Hunger Games, even in light of her sister’s death. Or, for that matter, how she and Peeta could reconcile in light of their votes at that tribute tribunal.
Also, the entire reunion with Peeta was maddeningly vague. That could have been an entire book, practically, and it was a paragraph with no real clues or timeline reference.
And now, back to the movie
When I saw the movie on Sunday, I went without any knowledge of the story at all. I hadn’t read a review, I hadn’t read the back of a book, I only knew a few things gleaned from untagged tumblr gifs.
And I loved it, and wrote about it. Having now read the books, I see that I misinterpreted the Katniss-suicide-threat scene entirely incorrectly; she never thought she’d actually be killing herself. And while she had some sort of Peeta feelings, she didn’t actually fall for him during the games. And she was suspicious of his motives the entire time when it came to their romance, which I don’t think was terrifically clear in the movie.
Having said that, I do need to go see this again, now that I’ve read all three books, but perhaps after I’ve gotten some sleep, and maybe done some laundry.
Socio-political commentary
Fairly pointed political commentary, especially when discussing the luxury of the Capital compared to the poverty in the districts. I’ve read some articles that say these books can be read from a conservative or liberal perspective, as either a discussion of the dangers of big government or the danger of stratified economic class systems, and either way (by which I mean my way) I love that teenagers are getting an introduction to said commentary wrapped up in a novel. Especially since it’s not an Ayn Rand novel.
But seriously though, Peeta was pretty hot
Yes!
Edited to add: And I realize that it probably looks sort of weird that I didn't write specifically about Katniss. But that's because I just barreled through 1200 pages of her thoughts, and I think I need more time to separate myself from her first. Overall, though, she's (1) not Bella, thank god (2) pretty much a badass (3) realistic. I love that she's rebellious and a little dangerous and often sullen and spiteful. She's messy, and I like that. Not a role model, but not trying to be.
As in, my friend S dropped them off to me on Wednesday while I was vacuuming out my car, and even though I was in the middle of it, I sat down on the pile of excess car stuff I’d gathered up- including a chocolate from The Olive Garden- and started reading, my car doors open, the vacuum cleaner perched on the backseat, and my floormats elsewhere.
And I read. For four hours, outside, even after I discovered chocolate on my dress, even though my phone was buzzing, even though I was thirsty and the vacuum cleaner was stolen and there were neighborhood kids dropping off their backpacks and grabbing their bikes. Sitting in my car, mouth slightly open, the day unseasonably warm. And as soon as it was over, I sighed happily, put away the vacuum cleaner, fixed my dress, caught up on the internet.
And then I picked up Catching Fire, vowing to only read half so I could get some sleep. I plowed through, though at one point I noticed throwingpens had just posted something on tumblr, and thus I sent her a message telling her all the things that were happening in my brain at that moment about the book, because that’s something someone wants, right? And then I proceeded to do that all night, till I closed the book. I then vowed to lock myself in a room, listen to Adele, and cry. Instead, I went to bed, because I had to go to work about five hours later.
The third book, Mockingjay I started the next day on my break at work, which was a mistake, because Thursday was to be my day off from the books. Alas, I’d started, and once I had, I kept going, harassing Amber through it, putting it down every few chapters to go back to my real life, and then picking it right back up again.
At the end of the second-to-last chapter, I screamed. And then again, and again, as I read that last chapter. Then I read the epilogue, put the book down, screamed again until the edges of my vision were starting to get dark, and then took a deep breath and went out to dinner.
So!
Let’s break this down into topics:
Rue
I wasn’t going to cry, because I’d already seen the movie, I knew what was coming, and I didn’t need to cry.
I cried.
Haymitch
Haymitch was probably one of my favorite characters, possibly because he got to be comic relief in books that were funnier than they should have been, but not hilarious. He was just likable, and, as it would turn out, a pretty good mentor too. Loved all the Quarter Quell backstory for him. And the running thread of how winning the Hunger Games screwed up the tributes really made me want him to succeed.
I was fairly certain he’d be killed, probably in some creative way, in book three. I was certain of it. After all, the mentor, the Yoda, always dies. And I was dreading it, because he’s a father figure, even he did use Kat for her Mockingjay status. But I’m delighted that the book ends with him being K/P’s neighbor, even though I’m not sure how he escaped the author’s noose.
Effie
Effie was always sort of ridiculous, but I love her. She’s actually, in my mind, a fairly relatable character, because she’s constantly doing uncomfortable, crazy things to look good, and who hasn’t bent over backwards trying to standout-yet-fit-in? I thought it was lovely how even the most obviously mockable characters, including Kat’s prep team, always got to have some dignity and respect from Kat eventually. I wonder if she ended up getting executed, but in my mind, she did not.
Gale
I enjoyed Gale as a character, and I was a little shocked at how his story ended, but upon reflection I think that actually makes the narrative stronger. It’s easy, sometimes, to forget these books are about a sixteen/seventeen year old, because so many of the things she deals with-family, getting engaged, facing down death at least twice-age her, but really, how many people at seventeen are still friends with the people they liked at twelve? You grow, you change, and hardships sharpen you into the person you’re going to become, and you grow apart. And Katniss had two crazy life experiences, and ended up feeling very different about war than her best friend. And her best friend, who hadn’t experienced the games, came of age at just the right time when his anger could be exploited into something destructive, and he gave into that.
What really shocked me, I suppose, was the finality of the thing- but then, given the circumstances, I can see why she’d never see him again.
But enough about his end, let’s talk about the beginning of his story.
There’s something really lovely about that friend you have that you can just be with, and I think the K/G friendship is fabulous in that. Really, he’s the only friend we spend any significant with, and I love that they have these families who rely on each other.
I assumed she wasn’t going to pick him. The constant refrain of “cousin”-not just when they interviewed Kat’s people during the Games, but I noticed Peeta always assumed that too, and mentioned it on the train to the Capital-emphasized the semi-incestual nature of the friend-into-lovers scenario.
But to me, I realized there was no way Gale was going to end up with Katniss, and that was when he got upset that Kat wanted to bring Peeta into the woods with them, whereas Peeta assumed Gale would come along. When Peeta later pulled out the locket, that just confirmed my assertion.
Peeta
I really like Peeta. Peeta, in my mind, appeals to the sixteen year old girl that lives inside of me that occasionally chooses my earrings. And my sixteen year old self loves Peeta, for being sweet and kind and not a murderer for the most part. But more than that, he’s got that artistic spirit, and he doesn’t try to go past first base, and he’s totally cute.
Um.
Anyway, I think that most of my favorite moments in the trilogy deal with Peeta, from his “she has no idea. The effect she can have on people” in the first book (and the callback in the third) to “You try to protect me. Real or not?” to his THG/CF interactions with Cesar Flickman. I recognize the books are about something much deeper than dating, but I’d be lying if I said I’d have enjoyed them as much without a romance subplot.
And the way Suzanne Collins rolled that out, and kept it going over 1200 pages was a master class in romantic tension.
Prim
Eh.
The Ending to Mockingjay
I might need to reread this, because (1) What was that final mission, and how did it make sense to send K/P-surely there were easier ways to kill off Katniss? (2) I just can’t understand how Kat could vote yes on another round of the Hunger Games, even in light of her sister’s death. Or, for that matter, how she and Peeta could reconcile in light of their votes at that tribute tribunal.
Also, the entire reunion with Peeta was maddeningly vague. That could have been an entire book, practically, and it was a paragraph with no real clues or timeline reference.
And now, back to the movie
When I saw the movie on Sunday, I went without any knowledge of the story at all. I hadn’t read a review, I hadn’t read the back of a book, I only knew a few things gleaned from untagged tumblr gifs.
And I loved it, and wrote about it. Having now read the books, I see that I misinterpreted the Katniss-suicide-threat scene entirely incorrectly; she never thought she’d actually be killing herself. And while she had some sort of Peeta feelings, she didn’t actually fall for him during the games. And she was suspicious of his motives the entire time when it came to their romance, which I don’t think was terrifically clear in the movie.
Having said that, I do need to go see this again, now that I’ve read all three books, but perhaps after I’ve gotten some sleep, and maybe done some laundry.
Socio-political commentary
Fairly pointed political commentary, especially when discussing the luxury of the Capital compared to the poverty in the districts. I’ve read some articles that say these books can be read from a conservative or liberal perspective, as either a discussion of the dangers of big government or the danger of stratified economic class systems, and either way (by which I mean my way) I love that teenagers are getting an introduction to said commentary wrapped up in a novel. Especially since it’s not an Ayn Rand novel.
But seriously though, Peeta was pretty hot
Yes!
Edited to add: And I realize that it probably looks sort of weird that I didn't write specifically about Katniss. But that's because I just barreled through 1200 pages of her thoughts, and I think I need more time to separate myself from her first. Overall, though, she's (1) not Bella, thank god (2) pretty much a badass (3) realistic. I love that she's rebellious and a little dangerous and often sullen and spiteful. She's messy, and I like that. Not a role model, but not trying to be.