by Suzanne Collins and I can't help but wondering if I am just as culpable as the citizens of the Capitol who watched the 'Games' for entertainment.To say this book was 'good' on an emotional level feels wrong. Yet, on an intellectual level it was a great book. The way the children are toyed with--how they are given everything they could ever want and more--then made to act as accomplices in the whole thing, so that when they go home they can't say that they were completely faultless in what happened. These things deeply moved me and left me ruminating about the Roman empire and Coliseums.
surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Each year, the districts are forced by the Capitol to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the Hunger Games, a brutal and terrifying fight to the death – televised for all of Panem to see."It also left me humming a song everywhere I went. A sad, beautiful song. The Prayer of the Children
by Kurt Bestor:"Can you hear the prayer of the children?
On bended knee, in the shadow of an unknown room
Empty eyes with no more tears to cry
Turning heavenward toward the light
Crying Jesus, help me
To see the morning light-of one more day
But if I should die before I wake,
I pray my soul to take
Can you feel the hearts of the children?
Aching for home, for something of their very own
Reaching hands, with nothing to hold on to,
But hope for a better day a better day"
Did I like this book? I don't know. Was I changed by this book? Yes.
Here's a YouTube video that I also thought of as I read. (note: some images may be hard to see.)
Here's a YouTube video that I also thought of as I read. (note: some images may be hard to see.)
Book: The Hunger Games
by Suzanne Collins
Music: The Prayer of the Children
by Kurt Bestor
5 comments:
This is a book I have been meaning to read for ages. After your review it has gone on my book depository wishlist.
I'm glad to know that my reviews move people to read more. That makes me feel good.
It's funny because after I read this book I knew that I liked it, but more than anything I knew that I loved what was written. As in the story that is told and the hardships that are presented. It wasn't until I read Catching Fire that I can say that I really did like the first in the series. Excellent review!
Jen
In the Closet With a Bibliophile
I have to say I did like it. I like that the author took on such material, I like that the main character is a strong, "real" character. I like that the romance doesn't contaminate the story. I loved the images it conjured for me. I thought of the City of Oz when they entered the Capitol. How the people were dressed. I appreciated the parallels to the past and the present. It definitely was a novel to make me think. I started and finished book one yesterday. I made a point to get milk from walmart this morning so I could get my hands on number two and was sorely tempted to buy the third one too, but need to wait until payday. I think I am going to be very sad when I read the last page. I appreciate an author that can make me think and feel. I caught myself "Oh!" out loud last night. I like when a book can do that. :)
I also really liked how detailed she was about food. I could almost taste some of the food.
Your comparison of the prayer song almost made me cry. Very good comparison made!
Post a Comment