Review (re-read): The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1)

Author: Suzanne Collins
Started reading: July 14th 2019
Finished the book: July 21st 2019
Pages: 374
Genres: YA, Dystopian
Published: October 2008
Source: Bought the book
Goodreads score: 4.33
My score:

Synopsis

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before - and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

My thoughts

This book made me fall in love with reading English books. I remember doing my internship in Chicago and my mentor advising me to go take a look at the booksale. I bought all three Hunger Games books and finished them in three days. I'm also convinced that books are much better than movies, because of this book. The book has so many layers and much more depth than The Hunger Games movie.

Pros

• Characters: The characters are so well thought through. You're inside Katniss' head so she has the necessary amount of depth. But also the characters that don't even appear that much like Effie, Rue, Foxface and Caesar feel like real people. The way Suzanne Collins is able to sketch a character with only so many lines is amazing.
• Dystopian: This world feels very real. I love how it could actually take place somewhere in the future on our planet. I don't read that many dystopian novels, but I should read more, because I can totally lose myself in it. It's different from fantasy, because that will never happen on our planet, but dystopian could. That makes it all the more real.
• Rushed through: Once I get going in this book there is no stopping me. I remember reading it in one day back in Chicago and this time I was able to easily read 150 pages in one sitting. I always tell Dutch people who want to read English books to pick up this one, it's very easy to understand in my opinion.
• Second time: It's scary to do a re-read for a book that you gave 5 stars. Will I love it as much? I know all the plot twists... Will it matter? Well, it didn't for me this time. I remembered parts of the movie and some plot twists from the book, but diving back in was amazing. I have read the book 6 years ago and I loved it as much as I did the first time.

Cons

Can't...

Overall

This is a book that could be highly enjoyable for all ages. The topics in the book are a mix of harsh subjects, action, romance and friendship. My younger self loved this book, and now, 6 years later I still love it! I will definitely read Catching Fire SOON, because I'm ready to devour this trilogy.

Other opinions on this book

"A violent, jarring, speed-rap of a novel that generates nearly constant suspense. I couldn't stop reading."

- Stephen King

"I was so obsessed with this book. The Hunger Games is amazing."

- Stephenie Meyer

"Brilliantly plotted and perfectly paced."

- John Green

Memorable quotes from this book

"You don't forget the face of the person who was your last hope."

"For there to be betrayal, there would have to have been trust first."

Thanks for reading!

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