This post is well overdue since I am already into summer but- remember that YA fiction course I took where I discussed Twilight? Well, we discussed The Hunger Games too and I thought I'd do a post on it as well! This post will be comprised of all three books in the trilogy, because most of my thoughts are the same across the entire series. So, here's what it was like to re-read The Hunger Games series, eight years later!
Let me start off by saying, that when I first read the series in 2011, I hated it. I thought the first book was ok, but as the series progressed I found it boring and confusing. Come to think of it now, I honestly think that I personally hadn't matured enough to fully understand the intense political themes in the series. Now more than ever, I have a new appreciation for all that Suzanne Collins was trying to convey.
My professor pointed out that the romance isn't the central plot in this series, as opposed to Twilight, and I would totally agree. Instead, I think we get a really in-depth look at political divide, as well as some allusions to the two opposing sides of the political spectrum. Hear me out, the Capitol represents heavy spending, frivolousness, a divide between the rich and poor. In Mockingjay, District 13 is presented as radically opposed to the Capitol, everyone is equal, though their rebellious tactics aren't exactly moral. I think that Collins did a great job at capturing the difference between the two extremes of the political spectrum. It all totally makes sense to me now!
When I got to Catching Fire, I reminded myself how much I love Finnick Odair. His character development is truly 10/10 and my professor pointed out how awesome it was that he didn't really portray hegemonic masculinity as much as Gale did. Finnick should be protected at all costs.
I found myself being less interested in whether or not Katniss chooses Peeta or Gale and more on whether or not she would be swayed by Snow or Coin. The ending of Mockingjay was so unbelievably epic and should go down as one of the greatest plot twists in history. While my class did have a bit of a problem with the epilogue, and I agree, I do think it reduced the power of Katniss' character a lot, I would still say that the ending is satisfying.
Overall, I am really happy that I found a new appreciation for this series. It is political, powerful, and presents morally ambiguous characters that you can root for and somehow also end up hating. I loved every second of this re-read.
Have you read The Hunger Games? What did you think?
Emily @ Paperback Princess
I only ever got around to the first book. Oops. Lol. I liked it - but I didn't think it was worth the level of hype that it'd gathered.
ReplyDeleteUnderstandable! It definitely took me a long time to get through it the first time around.
DeleteI liked the first book, enjoyed the second, and mostly wanted to throw the third one against a wall. I wonder what I would think now...
ReplyDeleteI definitely felt the same way the first time around haha! Maybe give a re-read a go!
DeleteOh good, it's not just me. I couldn't believe they wanted to turn the third book into two movies!
DeleteI actually always liked the movies. They were really well done in my opinion.
DeleteI don't remember being too concerned about if Katniss picked Gale or Peeta (though Peeta is my favorite), I was so attached to so many of the characters that I was more focused on if they would live.
ReplyDeleteAnd I definitely agree, Finnick must be protected at all costs!!
I think that’s what makes this series so great. Yes there is romance, but the intense political themes, the psychological aspects of the games, and the epic cast of characters makes it very exciting.
DeleteI honestly love The Hunger Games so so SO much, so I'm happy you liked it more than you did the first time you had read it. I'll admit that my memories about the movies - which I highly enjoyed as well- are clearer than the books, because I read the latter years ago, while the movies I do watch parts of whenever they are on tv. Anyhow, I have super fond memories, and I do love that Peeta is, as you mentioned, a different type of hero that was usual especially at the time the books were originally published. What I love about his is that he is physically strong, which is described, but he is not an "alpha male" or anything like that. Gale... I never liked him haha, and especially in the movie he made me so annoyed. But also, 1000% agree - the romance is far from being the focus of the novels, which makes them even more special, imo. Great post, Emily!!
ReplyDeleteI’m so happy that I was given this opportunity to give it another shot, because I don’t think I would have ever considered a second chance just on my own. The series strayed far away from cliches, in a time where every YA dystopia seemed to be the same. This series truly changed the game.
DeleteI read the series a few years ago and it somehow didn't reeeeally work for me. I'm curious to see if I'd like it now, but I'm not really motivated to reread lol xD Loved this post though!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ruzaika! I needed the motivation to read it for school, otherwise I don’t think I would have ever touched it again lol.
DeleteOh man, I LOVED this series when it first came out. I remember devouring the first book in one sitting and dressing up as Katniss for the movies! I do think that the first book is the best and I agree with you about the Mockingjay epilogue. I am so happy you talked about this because I have been thinking about it a lot lately and how dystopian series have completely fallen off of the map after being so popular.
ReplyDeleteThey really have fallen out of hype haven’t they? I vote to bring dystopia back! Thanks Erin :)
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