Disclaimer: All opinions, positive or negative, stated here about the Hunger Games series in no way reflect my opinion of the people who read and/or may enjoy them (or not enjoy them). I hope I don't hurt too many feelings.
Anyway, I started reading The Hunger Games a few days ago, and I've finished Part 1 and a bit, so come along with me on my magical journey!
We'll start with my take on the writing itself thus far first (get the boring stuff out of the way, am I right?). I really hate to start off my commentary with something negative, but mentioning that I'm a bit miffed it's taken her almost exactly half the book to get to the actual games part seems like a good place to start. Honestly, Collins, I promise I'll be okay with a little less about how Katniss and Gale became best friends (or more waggle eyebrows waggle) if it means I get more of people stabbing each other in the face to survive. That is what I signed on for when I picked up the book.
That being said, I did find that despite the fact I really really wanted some butt-kicking and name-taking sooner, the beginning pace moved along pretty well for the most part. If I didn't already have an inkling about what kind of bad-applery awaited in future chapters I probably wouldn't have minded at all. For the most part Collins does a great job of developing characters and their background for the most part--although I do think she could work on weaving in Katniss' flashbacks a little more smoothly. At this point they pop up rather, "Well, since I'm not doing anything at the moment let me think about my past." Bit convenient, Katniss.
Another con within the writing itself is that the tone tends to be a little inconsistent. For the most part Katniss' voice in the narrative is simple and concise, sort of no-nonsense; not only do I enjoy her straightforwardness, but sometimes the narration can say things that are downright beautiful despite (or perhaps because of) its simplicity. However, every once and a while some superfluous phrases or sentences are thrown in that don't quite fit this down-to-earth Katniss-voice--they seem more suited for a normal (read: annoying dumb I hate them) teenager. These times are few and far between though, so thus far this is a minor flaw.
Collins also likes to cut sentences into fragments for dramatic effect, I've noticed. Sometimes this works:
"I am not pretty. I am not beautiful. I am as radiant as the sun." [p. 121]And sometimes it just makes me want to pat her head because, judging by the narrative, she's a little slow:
"'Quack yourself,' I say with a light laugh. The kind only Prim can draw out of me." [p. 16]That period does not belong. Collins, let me give you some free advice--which I know you'll just absorb like a sponge because who doesn't need to learn things from an unpublished English undergraduate?--semi-colons are awesome. Seriously, they're so awesome. I know people tend to overuse them because they think it makes them look like Charles Dickens, but well-used semi-colons are like my favorite. Or really any variety of punctuation out there, Suzy. Seriously, you can use semi-colons and ellipses and even colons to great affect and more than like once every two chapters, if you want.
You're very welcome, Suzy.
I also wish Suzy would do a bit more showing at certain places--the scene where the tributes are debuted and Peeta and Katniss come out literally on fire. If Suzy had dared to get a bit more poetic and detailed with her description that scene could have been incredible. Instead, it's just...inherently pretty awesome because of the fact that they are on fire. I find this is the case for quite a few scenes.
So anyway, character impressions (yay fun!):
Katniss:
Overall, I like her, which is a huge point in Suzy's favor because I judge female characters very harshly. I can count my favorite fictional females without having to take my shoes off. But there's no denying that Katniss Everdeen is seriously badapple. Honestly, she opens her narrative matter-of-factly relating the story of how she tried to drown an ugly, vermin invested cat. That's a pretty far cry from the saccharine, overly-compassionate animal activists you often see heroines portrayed as.
(Yes, apparently you just need to drown a cat to earn my respect. Not even I knew that.)
Despite her cold practicality, though, Katniss is also a legitimately caring and empathic protagonist. She's not afraid to get attached to people; she sacrifices herself for her sister; and she constantly sees the human qualities in people (even if she might not want to)--even people in the Capitol, who it would be very easy for her to blindly harbor hatred and bitterness towards. I loved the friendship dynamic that developed between her and Cinna.
Katniss we know is quite adept at masking her true emotions, appearing completely neutral so as not to expose a weakness, when she needs to; but I think that's a completely different skill that putting on false emotions convincing enough to make people like you, which is what Katniss is able to do. And really not only just the right time--only the right time. It's a bit too convenient that she just happened to grow the exact trait she'd need to really become a fan favorite, and there was no lead up to this development.
One more thing that's important to know about Katniss Everdeen: she is always wrong. About everything. Let's look at her track record:
- Katniss' assertion: There is absolutely no way Prim could be chosen for the Hunger Games, the odds are like a billyun to one. Actual outcome: Primrose Everdeen's name is drawn in the reaping.
- Katniss' assertion: Crap, my stylists are going to introduce me in no clothes at all and it's going to be totally lame and embarrassing. Actual outcome: Is lit on fire and looks totally awesome.
- Katniss' assertion: I totally screwed up shooting an arrow at the Gamemakers, they're completely angry with me and I'm totes going to get the lowest score ever. Actual outcome: Katniss' score is an eleven out of twelve.
- Katniss' assertion: Ohemgee Peeta just totally embarrassed me he made me look so weak that was his plan all along I am ruined. Actual Outcome: Everyone is putty in the hands of these star-crossed lovers.
Peeta:
This boy is a little dip. Seriously. "Oh man Katniss, you know what would be so stupid? If you and I pretended to love each other. That would be so stupid. Haha, we should totally pretend to like, be all over each other and make out and stuff and the Capitol will think it's real and we'll show them, they're so dumb, lolz." Just ask her out, you little girl, good gravy--gumption, man, gumption!
(Yes, I'll admit while I have stayed mostly spoiler-free as to the overall plot and outcomes of The Hunger Games series, I did glean enough about it to have prior knowledge that Peeta's feelings for Katniss are real).
Other than that I really don't have much to say about him, considering most of what you "know" about Peeta is told to you by Katniss, and it's all her assertions on his character, and Katniss is always wrong. So.
Am I the only one who still thinks it's hilarious that his name is Peeta? Really, Suzy, you are such a troll.
Impressions of other characters:
Gale:
Handsome. And manly (probably?).
Haymitch:
What a boring drunk. Doesn't even try to make out with inanimate objects.
Cinna:
Sexy and a spiffy dresser. The minimum you need to get my stamp of approval.
Rue:
Arghfffggghh how are you so cute to me when you've said like two things.
Careers:
Oh no, it's the American highschool metaphors! It's not a young adult novel without them, apparently.
One thing I'm quite enjoying, in a frustrating way, is the way Collins is continually including that implication of other people's stories and history--no major players come in as backgroundless foils. Although she has yet to divulge anyone's history but Katniss, there is a lot of sense of possibilities regarding where other people came from, if that makes. What I'm basically saying is that I'm very curious to know exactly how someone like Haymitch survived the Hunger Games and what the Games are like for other people besides Katniss. I hope Suzy tells us sometime.
Also is it wrong that I really want to read to story of the Games that Titus, that guy who went insane and started eating people, was in? I know it's gross but I got to the part and just had to say, "Daaaaang. I want that to happen in these Games."
Favorite characters:
- Cinna
- Rue
- Effie Trinket (please don't give me that look, she's just interesting okay. And it can't be denied that, whatever her motives, she did work extremely hard to do everything she could to help Katniss and Peeta in the upcoming Games)
- That cripple kid from District 10.
Predictions based off Katniss' assertions:
Based on Katniss' assertion that "It's not like I was going to win the games anyway" [p. 103] and her continual insistence that she is eventually going to have to kill Peeta or be killed by him, I predict that not only is Katniss going to win, but she's going to do so in some weird heroic or weird convolutedly deceptive way that enables both her and Peeta to make it out alive. Steamy makeouts will probably follow.
Though how awesome would Katniss be if in the end she was like "I'm sorry Peeta, but my one and true love is hunting. And this lamb stew stuff."
Cause boys are smelly.
