The Hunger Games

[amused]

According to my Kindle, I'm 86% through.

Just wanted to read it to see what the fuss is about.

Meh.

Too many contrivances to either move the plot or help the main character out of a jam.

I also get the sense that the writer conveniently 'forgets' that everything is on camera, except when it's good for the plot. So the characters do and say things that they really wouldn't want the hidden audience to see.

And Phillip Pullman is right - present tense sucks.

[Audley Strange]

Is it not a kids book?

[Mallardz]

A kids book?
I thought it was like Battle Royale with teenagers mercilessly killing on another.

[amused]

A kids book?
I thought it was like Battle Royale with teenagers mercilessly killing on another.

And even then, most (all?) of the killings are off-scene or indirect. Which is fine, but does seem like a timid approach.

[Mallardz]

A kids book?
I thought it was like Battle Royale with teenagers mercilessly killing on another.

And even then, most (all?) of the killings are off-scene or indirect. Which is fine, but does seem like a timid approach.

I have neither read the book nor seen the film. Don't want to. I seldom watch American cinema. The older films are more enjoyable but over the last 12 years they comprise of remakes of the older films, tedious plots, or remakes of foreign films for an ignorant market.

[Audley Strange]

So is it or is it not a kids book?

[amused]

So is it or is it not a kids book?

I "think" it's YA - Young Adult.

[Twoflower]

It's a young adults book.

[Audley Strange]

So is it or is it not a kids book?

I "think" it's YA - Young Adult.

Yeah kids. Cheers.

[macdoc]

It's a very decent dystopian set of novels and the movie is true to the book.

There is a very updated Orwellian cast to the entire scenario.

Fast read and enjoyable .....suspend your disbeliefs ya old farts......it ain't a novel of manners....and if you are 86% through the first book you have not a clue where it is going.

[amused]

I see the seeds being planted in this first book for more to come. You give me some hope that it will get deeper.

[amused]

Hmmmm....

I finished the first one, and since I was travelling by air all day today, I risked the $6 for the second one, mostly on the admonishment by macdoc. It is engaging now on a better level, except

Trigger Warning!!!1! :

for having a fashion team as significant characters. The star-crossed lovers thing is okay, but quietly annoying too.

But, I see where the primary target audience is found.... I'll give it an honest read.

[macdoc]

I guess you are not from LA and don't watch American Idol.
Just swap a fight to the death versus being sung to death. American Idol took a single illiterate mom living in a basement to a successful singing career
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantasia_Barrino

Now the part of it is raw talent....and that was obvious from the moment she opened her mouth....but the rest is the team that turn her from turnip to star in looks, presentation etc. HG is merely an extension of that.

Then of course there is this



definitely in need of make over to this

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6m3JVZw ... ure=fvwrel[/youtube].
These are part of the elements woven into the series including the slide in fascism

http://www.ellensplace.net/fascism.html

Do recall there are dark parallels going on that refer directly to the gap between rich and poor in the US and the unreality of North Side Chicago and South Side ( or South Side LA for that matter ).
Bread and circuses including the gladiators are themes with all the excesses of Caligula. The first movie held to the book well.

[Animavore]

I bought this book a couple of months ago -














- For my 11 year-old niece

[amused]

macdoc - Thanks, your insights are helpful. What did you think about the present tense style of writing?