All together now

Hunger Games Trilogy

1. How is the society of Panem like others you have seen in movies or read in books?

In my GoodReads review, I commented that the book "was a unique mix of 'The Lottery' (which I love) + 'The Most Dangerous Game' + 'Lord of the Flies' + '1984' with even a little 'Truman Show.'" Panem was a lot like the society in 1984. Confinement to social status and employment. Being watched (though not to an extreme until they were in the Games). Some bigger power crushing the people and their wills and right to freedom. Hmmm...that last bit is starting to sound like....our own government. And some others in this world. I know for many this story being like unto our world is a stretch. But to me, it was not. Too many similarities, often symbolic. I don’t know if Collins meant to write that, but it’s what I saw. And it’s one of the main reasons this trilogy got to me as much as it did. (Which is rare, because I don’t look for the political when I’m reading fiction. I’m trying to escape it!!)

2. How did you feel about Katniss’ self-image throughout the trilogy?

Well, she’s like a teenager in being unsure and faltering and being human. But there were a few times that I wanted to shake her to see that she had great qualities and needed to see them and accept them. Huh—I wonder how many people want to do that concerning me. So, yes, her self-image issues were annoying. But they were also a smack toward me to stop being that way myself!

3. Overall thoughts and feelings about the actions and directions Katniss’ relationships were with the competing males?

Thought #1: Stop taking wonderful Peeta for granted!

Thought #2: Leave poor Gale alone!

Thought #3: You’re botching it all up! Leave the story and let me step in so I can treat Peeta the way he deserves.

4. What would you have done the same or differently as various characters in the books? (Pick whatever character and situations you want to discuss here.)

Inside the games, I leave Katniss to her own choices and actions. She did well there and I would never have succeeded. But outside of it, that’s a very different story. I think I would have changed most of what she did or didn’t do. But that’s me, and I’m also the outsider looking in. Of course I would think/want my choices and actions would/to be different!

If I were Peeta, I might have been less timid in the beginning to let Katniss know these were my true feelings. But then, he didn’t realize until later that she really wasn’t getting it. And it wouldn’t be like Peeta to be that way.

If I were Gale, I’d just walk away from the Katniss thing. But that’s because I thought it was obvious he didn’t stand a chance—Peeta or no. It wouldn’t have worked once Katniss endured the first games, because he didn’t know how to understand and she didn’t know how to communicate about it. Sure that’s something that could be learned, but I don’t think she was very willing for that.

5. Favorite part(s)?

Loved seeing the tributes work together in the 2nd games. Anything where Peeta showed his feelings and concern for Katniss. (Though I have my errr about the sleeping parts.) And as awful and even gory as it was, I liked it when they were trying to infiltrate the capital in Book 3. The fragility of life and their situation and everything was so real. So well-written.

6. Least favorite part(s)?

Katniss taking Peeta for granted. Anything with Coin or Snow—I didn’t like either of them.