Posted on 03/15/2012 7:45:47 AM PDT by SampleMan
My 13 yr old started reading the Hunger Games series and I picked up on the underlying theme of personal liberty, as she was telling me about it. I decided to read it this last Saturday, so that I could discuss it with her in depth.
I just finished the third and final book of the Hunger Games series and I think everyone here needs to know about it. It is a strong and powerful presentation of the evils that follow placing group needs above individual liberty/dignity.
It’s aimed at kids and is wildly popular with young teenagers. Freepers need to read this series and be able to discuss it in-depth.
I put this in the same category as Orwell’s 1984 and the Gulag Archipelago, accept written for a 13-18 yr old.
I’m not going to run through the plot, but it is a portrayal of the evils of subordinating personal liberty/dignity to the needs of the group. And it makes it clear by the end that it doesn’t matter what the intent of the government is, the effect is the same if the means is the same.
The end result of marginalizing the individual is demonstrated (not stated) throughout the series.
I have no idea what the movies will be like, except that I just can’t see Hollywood telling this story without changing the underlying plot, so you must read the books to help spread the message. You need to read this, so that you can intelligently discuss it with friends and family, and perhaps counter Hollywood’s take. (but I hope it goes over their heads and they just follow the books).
My recommendation to all fellow Freepers is read these books, and then buy them for you your children-grandchildren.
No sex, no profanity. Violence is brutal and harsh, but not gratuitously described.
In my opinion, it is suitable for most kids 12 and up, but not if they’ve had personal trauma/loss or are emotionally less mature.
—I have no idea what the movies will be like, except that I just can’t see Hollywood telling this story without changing the underlying plot—
Remember the first Death Wish movie? The original author was very upset with the ending. In his book, our hero started shooting people indiscriminately becuase of the way they looked or the music the played.
It was a completely different message from the movie. The exact opposite, actually.
I don’t know if this will be as bad, or even can be done with the story line though.
Interesting to read your take on this. The movie (and book) has been getting so much hype recently. My default any time the media gets behinds something is: “This cannot be good.” Perhaps it’ll be different this time. I’ll look closer. Thank you.
This book gets the wallcralwr approval as well.
Easy, fast read since its written for younger audience but interesting enough storyline for adults.
Also, the Legend of the Seeker series get my approval for individual freedom vs group think mindless controlled sheep.
“My recommendation to all fellow Freepers is read these books, and then buy them for you your children-grandchildren.”
I second that recommendation. About $7.00 ea. on Kindle. The only problem I have so far with the movie: casting Woodhead Harrelson as Haymitch.
My soon to be 14 year old daughter has read the trilogy and I have never seen anything she read prior to these books spark such a passionate response. And I agree totally with you about the underlying message of freedom and the dangers of the liberal authoritarian impulse to centrally plan and control society. After reading the novels for myself and seeing how popular they have become, I find the fact that this message has resonated so strongly with young people to be very reassuring.
I’ve read the trilogy as well and agree wholeheartedly!
Big thumbs up from me as well!~ Loved the books and the message. However, I think Hollywood is too stupid to even realize the message of the movie.
My 13 year old loved the books so much that he insisted that I and his mother read them. I agreed to do so as a parent. I’m glad I did so as a fan. They are smart and well paced reads that deliver a powerful message of self-reliance and liberty.
Very excited to see the movie come out next week.
I note, too, that the Hunger Games books consistently pop up at the top of my Kindle list when I’m perusing. There must be something that’s attracting so many folks.
My 10 1/2 year old grandson just finished reading the trilogy and loved them. He’s also a big fan of Rick Riordan’s books.
My 15 year-old daughter loves the book. It was required class reading by her highly anti-socialist, pro-constitution history teacher (yes, there are still a few at public schools).
LOVED the books, have told everyone i know about them, including my kids. My 23 yo read them all, my 18 yo will have to wait for summer vaca because she has too much school work during the school year. The liberty theme is VERY strong, and that’s why i think it’s a great book for conservatives. We are very psyched for the movie.
I read all 3 and loved them as well. I saw it on my Kindle app’d EVO for a long time and wondered what the heck it was, probably some chick thing wifey, the publisher/editor, put on. Since I ran out of new stuff to read I opened it and the first few pages told me it was sci-fi or something else I don’t like, but by page 5 or so something clicked and then I was hooked.
They are about $7 each on kindle - Written for teens but honestly it is pretty hard core considering it is teens in a death match. I think they speak to conservatives because we fear the government taking over and see the characters in this series as fighting “our fight” against big government.
My 28 year old daughter has been talking about The Hunger Game for the longest time. She keeps saying she can’t wait for the movie. She brought to book to me a couple of weeks ago so I can read it. She wants someone to talk to about it. I guess I’ll have to read it now and see for myself.
Sometimes the left in this country doesn’t recognize the message. Look how popular “Firefly” (the series) and “Serenity” (the movie) are. They have the “live free or die” theme. I pray that, somehow, the truth gets into their mushy skulls.
“It’s aimed at kids...”
I totally disagree. While the characters are mostly teenaged, the work itself is simply good fiction. I’m 56 and totally enjoyed the story.
And while I agree with your description of the theme being about individual freedom, since reading the trilogy I have often wondered if the author intended that, or was she just writing about good guys and bad guys and it happen to fall out that way — not that it is relevant to you and me and how we interpret the story. Again, I’m just curious as to whether she intended to write “Lord of the Flies” or was she writing “Twilight” and stumbled into something more worthy.
My wife and I homeschool (actually, mostly my wife, I just jump in during the evenings from time to time), and we read the books. I agree with your assessment; the books are very much against a strong central government.
Yet we did find it odd that there is no mention of any religion that I could read. I can’t understand why. Generally, those who spend a lot of time in nature will reflect on God’s creation eventually.
However, I am skeptical of a Hollywood slant in the move. Woody Harrelson is a liberal activist, and another lead actor seems to be a gay rights activist.
The author tapped into several themes.
It’s as if American Idol contestants were given weapons and told to fight to the death. They have groomers, advisers (`mentors’) and sponsors.
Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” in choosing the “tributes.”
A harsh, arrogant, decadent `Capitol’ surrounded by sullen, angry, virtual-slave districts. (Gee, lemme think on it...)
“Survivors”: Katniss Everdeen forced to hunt to feed her family, with her male friend Gale—equals—using forbidden weapons—with the penalty for poaching and invading the Capitol’s forests—death. (A little Robin Hood?)
Katniss is a high-powered model as well, with Capitol fashionistas at her back and call. Not wanting to marry, worried about her own children having to enter the arena. Torn between two male friends, Gale and Peeta. Trying to figure out who she is, what she stands for, what is important. Scholastic is behind it. It’s for kids, and the kid in all of us.
Underlying it all, the struggle to live, and to live with a modicum of dignity. Hunger is a constant theme. Hunger for what? Begin.
I think the lack of religion is also a message. One of many, many personal things that have been stripped away. The characters are not made right, but shown as they have been damaged.
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