Yes, I can read

[trinityvixen]

I know I post a lot about movies and television, but I actually read a book now and again. The Hunger Games was only $5 for the Kindle version, so I picked it up. I've been meaning to read it--I'm a sucker for the subject matter, being a huge fan of Battle Royale--and my latest issue of Entertainment Weekly clued me in to the fact they're making a movie. I learned years ago that reading the book before a movie comes out is always better than reading it after, so I figured I'd make the effort. What with biking to work and studying for the GRE, I don't have much free reading time handy, though.

Turns out not to have mattered. I finished the book in the wee hours of this morning. I actually had to force myself to catch up on Supernatural earlier in the evening (so I could read the internet without fears of being spoiled) when what I really wanted to do was finish The Hunger Games. It's kind of addictive reading. It might not be telling a story that I haven't encountered before, but the language and pacing are first rate. I like the heroine, as she's both special and realistically drawn. I think I have already been tainted by seeing that Jennifer Lawrence is playing Katniss because she's who I pictured. But, in a way, that helped. Winter's Bone may have been the movie that made me miserable, but the situations of the two girls in that and The Hunger Games being so similar, it blended together to make a for readily present heroine.

It will be interesting to see if, outside of the premise of the first book, the series maintains its momentum. It's so nice to have some fiction to spice up my interesting but usually drier set of non-fiction books to read.

Comments

[fairest.livejournal.com]

Eeee, I'm happy to hear you got so into it!

I was also really enthusiastic about a Jennifer Lawrence Katniss after watching Winter's Bone -- she's already proven she play that kind of role. We sees this together, yes?

[trinityvixen.livejournal.com]

I mean, aside from the fact that she isn't being beaten by rednecks, the two roles are basically the same between Winter's Bone and The Hunger Games. So, yes, I think she's the right choice there. I'm as yet unconvinced that she can do more than project stoic indifference as an actress, but that's what Katniss needs, right?

And we will totally see this together.

[equustel.livejournal.com]

Catching Fire may feel slightly retready at first, but I think it definitely maintains the narrative's momentum, develops the themes, and raises the stakes in significant ways. Meanwhile, Mockingjay took me entirely by surprise. It's a better trilogy finale than I could have envisioned. So bold and gutsy and not what you'd expect.

I have a lot of faith in the film adaptation. Apparently, Gary Ross and Suzanne Collins became BFF over screenplay re-writes and have been working closely together over each casting decision, etc. (Plus, Ross is just a grade-A filmmaker in my book, and it makes me feel better that we DON'T have some action-oriented director in the seat for this one, since a huge theme of the books is the terror of violence.)

Anyway, yay for Hunger Games! Hope you enjoy the rest of the books. As a friend of mine put it, I look forward to many more years of Entertainment Weekly, et al putting Hunger Games on the cover instead of Twilight. Yep.

[trinityvixen.livejournal.com]

Having read the EW article, it seems that much is being taken quite frightfully seriously, in a way I haven't heard of with an adaptation since LOTR (later Harry Potter movies have certainly tried). It's quite interesting, too, to go back and re-read the article now that I've more of an interest in the players.

And I will look forward to the other books, given this review.

[negativeq.livejournal.com]

When I saw the EW cover I thought that was exactly how I pictured Katniss.

I thought the first half of the book could have been a tad paced. I was getting impatient by the time Katniss and Peeta were carted off to Capitol City. However, the build-up was extremely well done, and the tension ratchets up with each installment.

[jethrien.livejournal.com]

Book made entirely of crack. So addictive.

[cagexxx.livejournal.com]

I congratulate you on your ability to read. Reading is an important skill, one that will be used throughout your life. From subway signs to Short Message Service communications, you will find that being able to read whatever you come across will greatly enhance your resourcefulness and should open up exciting new possibilities for the future.

[viridian.livejournal.com]

I really liked the first book better than the following two, but the whole series is pretty addictive.

I pictured Katniss as Kaya Scodelario because that's who the fandom kept raving about. I didn't particularly like that choice but she's skinny and dirty looking so she worked. I'll have to see Winter's Bone so I can picture this other girl.