For a young adult novel, I have to say, I was thoroughly impressed with The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins. I was also impossibly addicted to the novels, and read each book within a day, losing sleep and making me quite irritable.
The Hunger Games begins as a reminiscent of a novel I read many years ago, Battle Royale by Koushun Takami (1999). I have no choice, after reading both, but to question the creativity of the Hunger Games. I'm not entirely writing off the whole series; the books within themselves are creative and imaginative; clearly original. But the underlying story of what the Hunger Games are really needs to fess up to being influenced by Battle Royale. I can't understand how the author can claim that she was only influenced by the myth of the Minotaur. There are just too many similarities. Maybe it really is all a coincidence.
Battle Royale is a Japanese authored novel. It's popularity has spanned a manga series and two movies. It tells the story of a government facilitated "game," where each year, one class of high schoolers is transported to an island where they are forced into combat with each other. In Battle Royale, the class chosen has 50 students, who are each issued a small pack of supplies and a characteristic weapon. They are told to fight to the death, until only one winner is left standing. If they do not fight each other, devices attached around their necks will trigger and kill them instantly. These games are used by the government as a scare tactic, to keep the weakened world around them in check. They are publicly shown to insight terror into the public.
Although not the entire plot of the Hunger Games trilogy, the Hunger Games themselves are when 2 children from each of the 12 districts are put into an arena, to fight to the death. This happens once a year, and they are highly publicized events used by the government to keep the 12 districts in check. Each of the district has a mentor, who helps them out and sends them periodic gifts if sponsorship allows. If not, the games start with a huge shell like building, centered in the middle with tons of weapons, supplies and tools available for the children to use, but only if they can survive the fight to get them. If the children to do not comply, or if action is slow, Gamemasters can tweak and add dangers within the arena to pick up the fights, kill off people, or drive them to each other.
Now the Minotaur myth is about an elusive creature within a labyrinth. Every year, a man and woman is chosen to be sacrificed to him where they are dropped into the labyrinth.
Coincidence or not, the similarities between Battle Royale and Hunger Games, in terms of the games itself, are astonishing. They definitely can't be ignored. And as much as the Hunger Games Trilogy is an amazing and original story, it bothers me that it is so similar to another one of my beloved book, and yet no one seems to notice. (I've googled it and yes, people do notice. But you don't read about the similarities in magazines or major book reviews. hello?) I can attribute this to Battle Royale being a Japanese book, but it has been out in the U.S. for years. In fact, there are two printed versions published that i know of. Maybe even more.
That being said, the Hunger Games Trilogy is a worthy read; it has a strong heroine put in impossible circumstances, with a beautiful and intriguing background to fill in the down time. I think that's the books appeal, the post apocalyptic world that is so far into the future, the idea that it has gone back in time is captivating.
Warning: I spoil the supposed love triangle down below. But honestly, there was nothing to spoil imo...!
Katniss Everdeen is no Bella Swan (THANK GOD! We don't need another angsty female pining away for a vampire). She is strong, capable, even cold and rash. But she is also vulnerable. Lovable. To the point that, while you burn your way through the final novel, Mockingjay, you become so angry at the way people treat her, even those on the "good side". You come to realize, as does she, that she is merely a pawn in everyone's games. They use her without much thought, even try to kill her because her as a martyr will be more effective then her alive. It angers you. It's astonishing how involved you suddenly feel.
I didn't really care much for it at first, but over time, my feelings for Katniss and Peeta evolved with Katniss's. My realization that Gale wasn't the right one also became more and more apparent, and I even came to loathe him after the horrible incident that tears them apart :X.
This is what I think is the Hunger Games's strength. The ability by Suzanne Collins' to immerse you within Katniss. You become her, and as she grows, you grow. You're emotions and feelings develop like hers. And when she finally finds contentment (for I wouldn't call it Happily Ever After, although it is), you breathe a sigh of relief.
The Hunger Games (Book 1)
The Battle Royale part. It's full of action and suspense. Collins is able to hook you right in, with the glimpses of a distorted, yet beautiful world and a main character whose love for her family, and prowess and strength, make her survive something that seems impossible. The characters of Gale and Peeta are fairly weak, but the characterization of Katniss makes up for all of this. This book ends with really no cliff hanger, except perhaps the question of what happens next.
Grade: A- (I can't help but question the originality of it)
Catching Fire (Book 2)
Considered the slowest of the three, I honestly found myself intrigued by it the entire time. Katniss and Peeta return to life, but there are plenty of post-game responsibilities after the Hunger Games. The Quarter Quell is where things start catching into overdrive, and the surprise, if not painful, ending is quite the lead in and cliff hanger.
Grade: B+ (It was slow, but I thoroughly enjoyed it)
MockingJay (Book 3)
Catching Fire was a proper build up to the finale, with subtle hints and foreshadowing. Katniss's first person perspective begins to border on psychotic, and while its apparent she's in emotional and psychological distraught and trauma, Collin's write's this well without sounding like a madman herself. There are plenty of twists and turns throughout the book, and the realization that Katniss has no safe haven, just a few people on her side, is heartbreaking. You really just want her to get out of this pawn role. The ending is satisfying, if not a little weak; the quick tie up of lose ends is too convenient. But then, when is any book not like this.
Grade: A-
Final Thoughts:
Perhaps the most annoying aspect of the books is Katniss and Gale. There is supposed to be this epic, underlying love triangle (it's clearly not the focus of the story, but it is also incredibly prominent), but I found it totally unconvincing when it came to the Katniss/Gale angle. I attribute this to the little time they really do spend with each other, and by the time you hit MockingJay, when they spend the most time, twice as much as both books combined, you are already at the point of believing Peeta is the one. Gale's personality is so explosive that no amount of "He was always like this," ever makes up for believing she really loves him outside of brotherly love.
In the end, definitely a recommended read on my part. This is young adult fiction done right. I think it's time for a Stephanie Meyers/Twilight sucks rant. Don't you. :)
No comments:
Post a Comment