Goodreads Ireland discussion

This is the comment thread for the April monthly read, The Hunger Games.

I look forward to discussing this book with you all throughout the month.

Declan. :)

Hi everyone.

Everyone and their aunty seems to be reading this and talking about it at the moment. I was a bit unsure whether I would read it or not, and now here it is, a monthly read. So that's that decided.

The reason I was a bit unsure is that I'm a bit skeptical about YA in general. I'm not a young adult so I have my doubts about whether I'll enjoy it or not for obvious reasons. Anyone else feel the same about YA?

Though I just looked up YA http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young-ad... and it's interesting to see that it seems to be just a new term for what we used to call Coming of Age novels. And I really like those! Rule of the Bone is the first that comes to mind.

So - it's funny the difference a few words make to a pigeonhole, and maybe I've nothing to worry about.

My favourite COA story is Stand By Me which is based on Stephen King's The Body: A Novella in Different Seasons. I have to confess, I've never read the novella but as the current hype around The Hunger Games is generated by its movie release I feel justified in mentioning it.

The difference between this and new YA novels seems to be marketing. What teenager would want to read a book which is ostensibly an overnight hike to look at a dead body, and after a certain age most adults loose interest in novels which focus too much on teen problems which they see as trivial.

Another confession. Although I don't usually enjoy the books I usually enjoy the movie adaptations. The last half hour of the I am Number Four movie blew me away. I'm a sucker for a spectacle.

I am in the middle of The Hunger Games and find that it is really good story telling. it is very much a coming of age book and I too like those. The real significance of the novel is its social and political commentary. Think Rome. Hell, think now. it can be read on many different levels.

I haven,t found it over the top violent as yet.

The one thing that I find disconcerting is the voice of the main character. The story is told from her persctive. She comes from an impoverished area where education is given very little priority yet her voice and vocabulary are relatively sophisticated.

Declan wrote: "My favourite COA story is Stand By Me which is based on Stephen King's The Body: A Novella in Different Seasons. I have to confess, I've never read the novella but as t..."

My gd thought Hunger Games movie was a really good movie , very true to the book and somewhat less violent.

stand by me is also a fav with
me and I love the CD.

I kind of want to see the movie. I usually bring my kid brother and sister to see these YA movies, but this time I'll have read the book first, for a change.

P.S.

I love Ben E. King's Stand By Me, too. A real classic.

Declan wrote: "This is the comment thread for the April monthly read, The Hunger Games.

I look forward to discussing this book with you all throughout the month.

Declan. :)"

Great! Perfect! I have all 3 and have just been needing a good reason to settle in and read them, just need to finish some spring cleaning, ugh.

My son and I saw the movie last week, he's 25, I'm not, lol, and we both really enjoyed it, enough to see it again. Looking forward to reading the Hunger Games, I hear the book is at least equal to the movie.

That's so good to hear. It makes me hopeful for the book. I thought they'd be cheap with all of the renewed interest, but they're still around 8-9 euro

So sorry to hear that. I picked mine up for my Nook quite some time ago at a really good price. I'm a good shopper and really like the good deals, I'll keep an eye out for you.

Thanks, Connie, but I'll get it soon, one way or another. I might be a little late to the discussion but it's not a big deal.

I was just checking out AmazonUK, then realized that I don't have any idea what shipping would be to get to you! I'm currently reading a Kindle book on my android cell phone, if you have a smartphone that might be a convenient option, although your PC would work too.

Amazing trilogy. Although, I think The Hunger Games is the best out of the lot. I really enjoyed the movie! And my guy was being a gobshite because he didn't like it as much as the movie Battle Royale. Not sure if there's a book on that on or not.

I'll have a book tomorrow, Connie. I've gotten away with not paying full price for a book for about a year, now. Buying one in shop won't break the bank.

Deb, Battle Royale is very overrated. Had it been made in English it wouldn't have just been ignored... It would have been rubbished. A foreign language is an excuse for hipsters to allow themselves to enjoy rubbish they'd usually deem beneath themselves.

Declan wrote: "I'll have a book tomorrow, Connie. I've gotten away with not paying full price for a book for about a year, now. Buying one in shop won't break the bank.

Deb, Battle Royale is very overrated. Ha..."

It'll be a special treat then ;) I'm a compulsive deal shopper, can hardly bring myself to buy anything at regular price, lol.

I'm finding the resemblance to Winter's Bone uncanny. A poor, hungry family with no father, a mother lost to the world, and an older sister that has to take over. That Jennifer Lawrence doesn't half get typecast!

Meanwhile, to continue my pondering over YA, I came across this article at the weekend:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/books...

Declan wrote: "I'll have a book tomorrow, Connie. I've gotten away with not paying full price for a book for about a year, now. Buying one in shop won't break the bank.

Deb, Battle Royale is very overrated. Ha..."

I agree with you, I did not see Battle Royale just for that fact.
Enjoy reading the The Hunger Games. And catch the movie when you can.

John wrote: "I'm finding the resemblance to Winter's Bone uncanny. A poor, hungry family with no father, a mother lost to the world, and an older sister that has to take over. That Jennifer Lawrence doesn't hal..."

hmm never thought about it but you are right. I just placed the book on my TBR list. thanks :)

Stand By Me, a fine work -- what a contrast with Hunger Games, a thin characterization set in an amorphous dystopia with no message so yes it could be interpreted as having some Message. -- But what ?

Caught the new film, unfortunately, and wish I could have that time back to spend on something with some substance. Don't take your younger siblings, there is nothing to see but Hollywood special effects and mindless gore to titillate the lowest common denominator.

No doubt the imitators will soon be out, maybe throw in vampires and a teenage wizard to be sure it's a crowd-pleaser. Or a dragon, how about an Appalachian dragon?

I learned a long time ago, J.S., to let stuff like that go. Also ever since I watched Three Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps s few years ago, I don't sweat stuff like that. It was such an awful show. It makes any of those movies which you alluded to above look the veritable masterpiece.

I don't mind light movies. Actually, I quite enjoy a lot of them, but it bugs me when directors or screen writers go above their station and ruin a movie with needless complexity or reaching too far for emotional depth which simply isn't there. Ang Lee's Incredible Hulk is one example which was a terrible disappointment.

am gonna start Hunger Games tomorrow, i have all 3 on my Kindle, been meaning to get around to them :) looking forward to it!

I'm halfway through. Good fun so far. Well, as much as children killing children can be fun. I've been enjoying it so far, is a better way to put it.

Thought Suzanne Collins could have done a bit more research on survivalism with regards to finding water though. Anyone who's watched a bit of Ray Mears could have given Katniss a few tips on acquiring water. Minor detail but seemed quite sloppy to me that didn't fit with her background and the fact that she did a survival course a day or two before.

J.S. wrote: "Stand By Me, a fine work -- what a contrast with Hunger Games, a thin characterization set in an amorphous dystopia with no message so yes it could be interpreted as having some Message. -- But wh..."

I do think the The Hunger Game has a message and is in it's way a morality story. I don't see the theme of sacrifice for others honored in many novels and I think this novel does just that. Although I don't see it as a literary novel, it is good story telling with a message both on an individual and social level (control through terror, etc.). When I hear kids discussing these themes after reading the book, I am convinced it is a worthwhile book. I will have to check out some of the other books referred to.

I totally agree with you, Laura. Apart from that the success of the genre is improving literacy: Which you'll know is a good thing if you've ever received a text message from an the average teenager.

I was talking with my gd yesterday and she and her friends are so jazzed that our adult book club would read The Hunger Books and discuss it. I think she feels that we are showing respect and that feels good. We talked about the theme of voluntary sacrifice/giving to others etc. Good discussion. Now she wants me to suggest it to my other club. mmm I am taking the opportunity to suggest To Kill a Mockingbird, one of my favs.

Laura wrote: "I was talking with my gd yesterday and she and her friends are so jazzed that our adult book club would read The Hunger Books and discuss it. I think she feels that we are showing respect and tha..."

I started it yesterday and after 300 pages I find I'm really enjoying it. There's quite a lot here that's familiar, and some of the concepts are over-simplified but it makes for a good read in the vein of old British ripping yarns. I also have to remember that this is a book that wasn't written for me. It was written for an audience that aren't very familiar with themes like oligarchical oppression, class divide and propaganda. It's made more palatable to its intended audience with familiar themes, such as young love, trust and security and , like you mentioned, Laura, sacrifice.

There is certainly a lot to discuss here. I'm glad to see that this kind of novel is available for young readers. It might encourage them to tackle the likes of Orwell's 1984 in the future.

Laura, I really enjoyed your comment about validating this YA novel. I taught middle school for many years and the kids LOVED it when I read what they were reading. I'm up for anything that gets them reading! I read both The Hunger Games and Catching Fire in the last couple of days, and I'm about to start Mockingjay. I am also finding the storytelling gripping. I'm hoping to see the movie in the next couple of days. I loved Jennifer Lawrence in Winter's Bone, so I'm sure I won't be disappointed!

Let's get this bit out of the way first: the is-she-isn't-he really in love with her and will she EVER notice thing got exceedingly tedious and that one thing was screaming at me "you're reading a book for teenagers".

I found it hard to believe there wasn't more of a history of protest against the hunger games in some way. People refusing to kill etc or smaller protest from the districts, who clearly object to the games. Didn't quite add up in my mind.

Also found katniss' choices all a bit too easy, she really should have had much tougher choices to make in this scenario.

Otherwise it was an enjoyable enough romp and I'm glad I read it, but don't think I'll read the other ones.

I'm glad we read this. There was little too much teenage oestrogen in this for me, but it was enjoyable roght until the end.

Unlike John, I'm going to continue reading the series. I can't help myself but to finish something entirely once I've started. I started Catching Fire today and it has started more promisingly. Although the love triangle is played right from the start, there's a sense of foreboding which promises much.

I read this series last year and thoroughly enjoyed it. I didn't have high expectations and took it for what it is - but i found the story interesting and flew through the three books.
As far as the movie goes, I really wanted to see it- it's the kind of book that makes for a promissing movie. And it didn't disappoint, but you would have been somewhat lost if you hadn't read the book. (I got my husband to read the 1st book and get the bit of history background that wouldn't be shown in the movie). He enjoyed both and a week later he is now on book 3 lol.

Iuliana wrote: "I read this series last year and thoroughly enjoyed it. I didn't have high expectations and took it for what it is - but i found the story interesting and flew through the three books.
As far as t..."

Same here. I read the first two in a couple of days, but I have exams approaching, so Mockingjay has been pushed to one side for the time being.