I have been re-reading Harry Potter, very slowly, in French. I have been so busy re-reading teen fantasy novels that I almost didn’t buy The Hunger Games, my new favorite teen fantasy novel, at the Harvard Bookstore last week. I guess when I’m done I’ll have to break down and read Twilight.
Image courtesy SuzanneCollinsBooks.com
The Hunger Games. I am obsessed. I read The Hunger Games in two days and then, after dreaming about it for two nights, I bought the next two. I read the entirety of the second book, Catching Fire, between purchasing it en route from the airport and flying over Greenland, and started the next book before taking a break to watch a truly awful movie, “What’s Your Number?” on the plane. Now I’m saving the final book, Mockingjay, for as long as I can.
The book is set in the post-apocalyptic world of Panem, which arose from the ruins of North America. Katniss, the heroine, lives in the former Appalachia, now known as the Seam, or District 12. Every year, as a reminder of and punishment for an uprising 74 years ago, each of the 12 districts must send on male and one female tribute to the Hunger Games, a nationally-televised fight to the death. Katniss becomes her District’s tribute (you probably saw that coming, from the windup), and the bulk of the novel is set inside the arena itself, as Katniss struggles to survive the Games.
I saw the trailer before I read the book, so in my mind, Katniss Everdeen (the heroine) looks like Jennifer Lawrence. That’s kind of unfortunate, but then again, she was apparently amazing in Winter’s Bone, and she does kind of fit the description. The trailer is below; if you haven’t read the books and think you might want to, HOLD OFF on watching the trailer.
Here is my Hunger Games Fantasy Cast:
Ground Rules: none of the man-boys from Glee and NO ZACK EPHRON EVER
Katniss Everdeen: Jennifer Lawrence
Peeta Mellark & Gale: I’m not up to date on teenage boys so I have nothing to contribute here.
Primrose Everdeen: Ellie Fanning?
Rue: Maisie Williams (from Game of Thrones)
Mama Everdeen: Elizabeth Banks
Glimmer or Clove: Dianna Agron
Caesar Flickerman: Regis
Flauvius (Katniss’ prep team): Brad Bell
President Snow: Bill Nighy
Effie Trinket, Haymitch and Cinna: as yet unknown. any suggestions?
snacks & adventure 
I have never heard of this program but i really want to see it now. And I am just like you i can not ration them i watch them all in a day.
I obsess too. Finished the Hunger Games in a night, though I’ve been holding off on getting the next ones…
Oooh the next two books are good. I actually bought the hardcovers, something I don’t usually do. Do you think you’ll see the movie?
Hey Fran! Just thought I’d say hi. I, too, read all the books pretty quickly after seeing that I could get one free on my Kindle. I loved the first two, but the last one started to wear on me. It was still good, but I guess it wasn’t going in directions I was thinking it might and was a little disappointed here and there. Still a great series, though, and I’m looking forward to the movie. Hope all is well with you two over there!
– Conor
I know, I wasn’t thrilled with the ending. But after the first two I was so invested I just wanted to see what happened.
Thanks for stopping by! Hope you’re doing well.