In post-apocalyptic America, an opulent Capitol shines in the center of new nation Panem, provided for by 12 surrounding districts. Annually, as punishment for a rebellion years before, each district must give up two tributes, a male and female, for the Hunger Games, a fight to the death publicized on live TV. When her sister is called as tribute for District 12, Katniss Everdeen volunteers in her place. The series of three follows Katniss’s journey through the Capitol, the Hunger Games, and her growing romance with co-tribute Peeta.
On March 26, the South Lakes book club went to see the movie adaptation of the book “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins.
“Every book in book club, we connect back to ‘The Hunger Games,’” said freshman Joey Freidin. “I think the book is so popular because it has everything people like, action for the guys, romance for the girls, and comedy for everyone. I think people also like seeing a possibility of what could happen in the future.”
The book has a number of qualities that pull in the reader. Besides being a dystopian series, “The Hunger Games” presents a heroine fighting against a corrupt system. For some readers, this is a refreshing change from recent female characters.
“Teenagers like that it’s a girl heroine sacrificing things for her family,” said librarian Linda Frantz. “In addition, teenagers like to rebel, push the rules and limits. You’re reading about someone doing that and they succeed. That’s why the series is so successful.”
The novels popularity is evident. Considering its translation into 26 languages and 30 million copies sold, the hefty $155 million the movie raked in opening night should come as no surprise.
Opening March 23 with the third biggest box office record of all time, “The Hunger Games” movie is bested only by “Harry Potter” and “The Dark Night.”
Some, however, are critical of the Hunger Games fad.
“I think the book is popular because ‘Harry Potter’ is over,” said senior Wendy Viana. “So it’s kind of filing that hole. Everyone wants to join onto the next big thing.”
Similarly to the Edward, Jacob feud from “Twilight,” attendees at the midnight showing sported shirts with the slogans “Peeta” and “Gale.” There was some audience disappointment that Gale, Katniss’s best friend from home, did not a have a larger role. Still, the movie received top notch audience reviews, scoring an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Junior Osa O’Sullivan was drawn in by the novels deeper meaning.
“Suzanne Collins said the book is an allusion to the Vietnam War because young 18 year olds were sent out to fight and die for the national government,” said O’Sullivan. “Like the tributes, some thought it was for glory, others suffered, but either way they died. The thing about the young adult genre, is that the writing is pretty basic but the themes go far beyond that, so it can appeal to young and old.”
