The Hunger Games

Our chosen book for February was The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins which has recently been turned into a blockbuster film starring Jennifer Lawrence. The story is set in the future, in a world carved up into twelve ‘districts’, each contributing in their own way to a central governing body, the Capitol.

Every year, a boy and a girl from each district are chosen to compete in a spectacular contest, known as ‘The Hunger Games’, broadcast to all, in which they will battle to the death.

The crux of the story is to see how our heroine, Katniss, will try to outwit the contestants, including one with whom she forms an emotional attachment despite knowing that she will ultimately have to kill them all…or will she?

There were five of us at the meeting and we all agreed that after a slightly confusing start, the story takes off and becomes an exciting and entertaining read.

We first talked about the story’s rather ambiguous message: on the one hand there is the whimsical premise of the ‘Games’ which so
closely resembles current reality TV shows; on the other hand we have the drama which unfolds for our heroine, Katniss, living in a totalitarian state where all actions are monitored.

Is this book political satire or pure entertainment?

One member agreed that the parallels with ‘I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!’ were striking, especially when prizes or presents are
parachuted down to the various ‘contestants’.

I thought this made the story less serious, especially when we see Katniss being more concerned with winning than with subverting the political system.

But another member felt that the story had a worryingly serious side to it:
• ‘a sadly apt indictment of the human need for blood sport’
• ‘The monitoring described in this book is eerily within reach’

On the subject of facing and overcoming challenges, there were different views:

• ‘an inspirational element’
• ‘This story could help us to stand up to oppression’
• ‘But are we being manipulated for dramatic effect?’
• ‘No, this this is done precisely to show the privileges of a draconian regime’

We discussed our emotional responses to the leading characters, especially the bond which starts to form between Katniss and Peeta.
We talked about the conceit that their every move is being monitored and that they are in a sense performing to the viewers. Was this a dramatic flaw, diluting the suspense?

It didn’t seem to deter Jamie who “had to read the other two books very quickly in order to see what happens next” or Jeremy who “couldn’t help but get emotionally involved”.

I enjoyed our discussion hugely – a good chance to chat with others about a common theme.