The Hunger Games (book and a little movie)

First: The Hunger Games ~ The Book

 
A little background: The setting is America but things have drastically changed.  The Capitol is placed in the center of 12 Districts.  Each of the Districts produces an item for The Capitol.  District 12, where Katniss lives with her mother and younger sister, produces coal.  The first few Districts are wealthier and better fed but as the number of the districts get greater the people become hungrier and poorer.  There is no communication or transportation between the districts unless it is Capitol business.  The Hunger Games are a yearly "festival" to prevent rebellion.  Each year a Reaping takes place, where a 12-18 year old male and female tribute from each District is picked at random to enter The Hunger Games.  All 24 tributes are placed in an arena and forced to survive or fight to the death.  The one remaining Victor becomes a District Hero showered in wealth and riches, a symbol of The Capitol's graciousness and generosity.  LOL!!  The 74th Hunger Games take a wild ride from the day of the Reaping until the final interview. 

Tid Bits I enjoyed from the book! 

• As an older sister, I completely bought into Katniss' need to protect and care for Prim and then Rue.  (Not  that I've ever been in the position of complete caregiver for my siblings but I think it is a little instinctive.)
• I love that Katniss is unexpected as a rival and real threat but her life back in District 12 has produced a desire and determination to survive no matter what.  
• Who can resist a good love triangle? 
• Self-Sacrifice
• Paying Respect where it is due, in life and in death.
• Unrequited love? Obligated love? Confused love? I'm not sure maybe all three.
• Doing all you can for someone out of selfless love! (Katniss, Peeta, Cinna, maybe even Haymitch?)
• Cleverness

Suzanne Collins writes with such understanding of human emotion, so much insight into pain, but also with so much emphasis on the healing power of good relationships.

Second: The Hunger Games ~ Motion Picture 

No huge spoiler alerts but 

you may want to postpone reading 

if you have yet to see the movie. 

Come back once you have to compare your thoughts!

I loved that it remained true to the story of the book.  It is easy to look at small details and be upset that they were left out because they added so much depth to characters and situations when reading the book, but I think it is easy to forget the movie has a time limit and a budget.  Unfortunately some things were left out that I really enjoyed in the book but for the most part the deal breakers were still included in the movie. 

One particular scene was added, which portrayed the reaction of a district when one of their tributes were killed as they stood idly by forced to watch.  I'm glad the director took the liberty to add this scene.  It was one of the most moving scenes of the film.  A father, a family, a community completely stripped of a loved one.  I'm sure even the districts who trained their children for the arena, had some twinge of rebellion when their sons and daughters were murdered for The Capitol.  

When Katniss and Peeta are introduced to The Capitol, the outfits they are wearing seem only possible in the imagination and obviously they were because Hollywood couldn't pull off the wonder my mind had conceived.  However, Katniss' interview dress completely makes up for it.  Cinna the costume artist, played by Lenny Kravits, always dresses Katniss in fire themed outfits.  The dress is amazing!!

Cinna and Katniss before she enters the arena.

just a sneak peak...

A few themes dulled by the movie: 

• Katniss played the romance for the audience.
• Katniss hated to owe people, to feel like she was in their debt.
• The conditions in the arena are much worse.  They are desperate from thirst, hunger, and the elements.
• Girl on Fire! 

As you can see, the close alignment

 out weighs the tiny differences! 

Great film! Awesome Book! Amazing Trilogy!