The Hunger Games Wins

We here at Patricorp have only failed once. As most of you readers are stockholders, friends of the company or otherwise enthusiastic about widgets, ball bearings and/or literary criticism, you will undoubtedly remember the Patricorp Gladiatorial Fiasco of '62. We were a young company, and tried to influence legislation to legalize gladiatorial games. We initially had broad public support until a lesser ball bearing manufacturer (which has now perished to the ages because of its stubborn decision not to diversify to widgets) started a rumor that we only wanted bloodsport legalized to sell more ball bearings. Obviously, the sting of failure is not something that is easily forgotten.

That failure gave us plenty of time to ruminate on the issues inherent in gladiatorial contests. It is with this firm background that we now speak to the literary merit of The Hunger Games.

THG is a futuristic novel that envisions North America after a collapse. A new civilization, Panem, has risen, and the political atmosphere has changed greatly. Every year, 24 children are summoned to the Capitol by means of a lottery (which is set up to unfairly affect the poor). These children are placed in an arena, and must fight to the death. Only one child can be the victor. Young Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take the place of her even younger sister, and joins Peeta Mallark on the journey to the Capitol.

We like to be upfront: THG is a champion of a book. Suzanne Collins was successful in weaving an incredibly compelling story full of conflicted heroes, romance (or not?) and action. The book makes arguments about social class and human nature, but never preaches. Of all of the characters we have encountered since entering this field, Katniss is one of our favorites. She is cunning and resourceful, violent and defiant.

We enjoyed the plot of THG so much that we left the Patricorp Central Headquarters and purchased Catching Fire, the second book in the Hunger Games trilogy. We enjoyed that book just as much (if not more), but that is the subject of another review.