This week I have devoured The Hunger Games Trilogy, by Suzanne Collins. This is a re-read for me, but it was still very, very good. The version I got for my Kindle has all three books in the same file. It was very tempting on Wednesday night to just turn the page to start the third book...even though it was after 10pm!
The tale follows Katniss Everdeen as she first competes in the Hunger Games - a fight to the death "entertainment" in the futuristic country of Panem. Her sister's name was originally called, but Katniss steps in to prevent her sister from having to compete. In the second novel, Catching Fire, she must fight in the Quarter Quell Hunger Games (the 75th Annual Games where as a victor she should not have to compete) and attempt to prevent a revolution from occurring or face the death of her loved ones. The third book, Mockingjay, follows Katniss as she is the symbol of the revolution to overthrow Panem and President Snow.
In Mockingjay, the author brings in the concept of panem et circenses (bread
and circuses) - a method of public relations made famous by the Roman Empire. The
basic concept is that the rulers provide food (bread) and entertainment
(games/circuses) for the underfed and often despondent public. These gifts give the public a reason
to be indebted to the rulers, and thus keep them under the power of
these rulers. The general public has to partake of the bread and games in order to be fed, participate in public life and culture and not be seen as an enemy to the state. If you notice, the Latin word for bread (panem) is also the
name of their country in the books!
I have been thinking a lot about how to best describe these books. For me, the books represent a harsh world where the value of the lives of the people in the districts are purely entertainment and providing for the experience of the Capitol. They also represent one of our downfalls as humans - that we often do not value the lives and experiences of those we have determined are not important or only around to make our lives easier. It is a world that does not take into account others - and that is the true horror of this futuristic world.
The books are a bit violent/gory, but most definitely intense. They are page-turners to be sure. I am excited to see The Hunger Games film. It started in town today and will be here two weeks. I'll try and post a review after I have seen it.
