by Shannon Fox
The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins.
At the risk of sounding redundant, I’m going to discuss The Hunger Games. Everyone on Earth is discussing these books. When they’re not discussing Twilight. Not that I’m categorizing, just that the same crowd seems pretty down with both series. But then they like Harry Potter too, so maybe they have more good judgment than bad. (I sense that one day I may have to do a post about Twilight. It’s kind of de rigeuer for a blog about books. Even though I wouldn’t necessarily recommend them.)
But we’re talking about Katniss and Gale and Peeta. Let’s just start with the perfection of names- odd enough in their own right, unique amongst literary characters, inappropriate for dogs, and still pronounceable in English. Suzanne Collins, 1.
This is a pretty violent series for young adults. But I’m glad. If there’s anything children need, it’s toughening. Especially the group these books are aimed for. Not all parents may approve (the blood! the gore! the murder! the implied sex!), but then their children are always more grown-up than they want to admit. These books land solidly in the category of dystopian futures. That means the Hunger Games is sharing shelf space with 1984 and Brave New World. Not bad for a contemporary series of young adult novels. Suzanne Collins, 2.
As main characters go, Katniss Everdeen is pretty likeable. I’m not a huge fan of central characters myself. I always find myself drawn to the side characters who steal the show (*cough* Haymitch *cough*). But Katniss is very much aware of her own shortcomings as a human beings. At times, a little too aware. But not like she has much else to contemplate. Her life fairly sucks all around. I particularly enjoyed Katniss in the third book. Her demons, frailties, and guilt all contribute to making her tough as Tungsten. Suzanne Collins, 3.
I have high hopes for the upcoming films. It has to be better than the Twilight films. It has to. If it’s not, I’m going to stand back and let my writing major and film studies minor work it out in a cage fight.
Shannon Fox - Author 
Good day Shannon. 🙂 I received a gift card for Barnes and Noble the other day so I’m going to go buy this series for two reasons: one, as you mention, everyone is talking about them and thus the word has reached me in the form of, “go buy those books!” And two, the idea behind the series intrigues me because of its originality. As you mentioned, and now I have more to look forward to, I can honestly say even having not read the books yet that I too am glad there is a bit of an adult context touch if you will, namely the violence. Considering it’s a “young adult” read, I suppose it would be just way too tempting to hint at something like violence but not actually display it, (Good call Ms. Collins). With this new found commentary I look forward to reading them even more, thanks Shannon. 🙂 Hey, you mind if I make a book, well actually more like short story suggestion for you to write about?
Sure, why not? I’m always open to new ideas 🙂
Well I’m wondering if you’ve heard of the popular film from back in 1994 called The Shawshank Redemption. I’m sure you’ve probably heard of it, but what a lot of people don’t know about the movie or rather don’t realize is that it’s based off a Stephen King Short Story called Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. My friend who is an avid King reader loaned me the story, and when I finished reading it, I only wished it could have been longer. Someone like you could get through it in a day. It’s short and sweet and I think you’d really enjoy it if you haven’t already read it. Plus, just the movie side of me will of course recommend the film to you as well. Again I don’t know if you’ve already seen it, but if you haven’t, I definitely recommend it, both the film and the story. 🙂
I haven’t seen/read either, but I’ve heard good things about the movie. I’ll have to check that out-thanks!
The book to film adaptation is entirely successful, and I kid you not Shannon, it’s one of the best films I’ve ever seen, number two on my top 5 list of favorite movies. And you’re quite welcome. 🙂
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