At a time when this famend franchise as soon as once more adorns theaters throughout the globe, revisiting the literary trajectory of “The Hunger Games” appears not solely becoming, however obligatory. Suzanne Collins, writer of every of the 5 novels, crafted this world with intricate intention. It is inside her formative phrases that tens of millions of readers have spent the final 20 years piecing collectively the skillful messages woven inside her pages. With her skillful writing, Collins creates an electrical, intriguing literary world readers are certain to be entranced by for years to return.
“The Hunger Games,” impartial of its extremely profitable movie debut, was irrevocably alluring to readers upon its launch. The e-book’s recognition little question arose on account of its distinctive, albeit disturbing premise: Children are chosen by the federal government to combat to their dying, all for the pleasure of these watching. These darker themes, coupled with the label of a young grownup novel, create a definite market as a e-book for each older and younger readers alike.
Although the primary e-book got here out in 2008, Collins has maintained the momentum of the sequence by the 2020 launch of the latest installment to the sequence, “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.” The e-book seamlessly ties collectively new plot additions with the older story, offering readers with a villain backstory that enriches the sequence, reasonably than riddling it with pointless content material. Developing the creation of the video games together with the villain origin story of President Snow grants readers the chance to fill within the gaps that Collins instrumentally left obscure within the authentic trilogy.
The sequence is certain to take care of its success as a result of revitalizing nature of its content material. Collins’s additions to the sequence will not be redundant, however refreshing — due merely to her dedication to put in writing solely when it supplies a significant addition to the sequence.
This sentiment is mirrored in the principle character, Lucy Gray Baird, of the brand new e-book, who in response to calls for from Snow of her to sing to entertain within the movie, says, “I don’t sing when I’m told, I sing when I’ve got something to say.”
“The Hunger Games” additionally maintains its legitimacy by its fascinating correlations with Greek mythology and commentary on the cycle of social revolution. The authentic trilogy adapts the Greek fantasy of Theseus and provides a contemporary understanding of revolts; notably referencing on the finish of the final e-book that whereas democracy was efficiently achieved by revolution, people are creatures certain to fall sufferer to a tyrannical social hierarchy. This plot level establishes a commentary on the inevitable cycle of revolution and human downfall — not a love story between Katniss and Peeta — because the undertone of the sequence.
It is inside this framework that “The Hunger Games” excels the place many others fail. At the top of the day, the sequence isn’t centered round a love triangle or irrelevant drama, however the tenacity and selflessness of a young girl that enables her to combat to maintain these she loves alive. The sequence brings into query each the actual prices of conflict, and the horrific nature of recent leisure. With this, the sequence can be not afraid of embracing its darker messaging, because the pessimistic ending of the prequel alluded to the deaths of a whole bunch of kids to return within the subsequent 64 years. This completely contrasts the surprisingly idealistic means the unique trilogy ends, making a extra lifelike ending to spotlight the devastating outcomes of conflict.
This franchise, due to this fact, is irrevocably strategic. Where the “Mockingjay” movies fall quick is precisely the place “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” succeeds. Not solely does the brand new e-book present an interesting look right into a pivotal character, however Collins demonstrates her potential to pivot after critiques that the final two Hunger Games movies lacked the extreme stakes that an precise Hunger Games would incite. The prequel additionally options an ending that’s as much as the reader’s personal private interpretation, permitting readers to stay pondering far after they end studying the final web page. Ultimately, Collins crafts a narrative that’s each a backstory and an exciting, gory story of the complete tenth Hunger Games that’s fittingly written to be become an exhilarating characteristic movie.
Appropriately, with the Nov. 17 premiere, the franchise gained a highly-anticipated fifth film, because the sequence makes use of its literary influence to immerse readers additional within the recognition of its movies — the latest movie is not any exception. Drawing on direct references to characters and quotes from the unique trilogy, the franchise’s recognition is certain to propel the e-book and its adaptation to cinematic success.
The Hunger Games is as horrific as it’s devastatingly emotionally wealthy. It is written with such emotional weight and disturbing violence that sticks with readers lengthy sufficient to drive them to see the fascinating story translated to the massive display screen. Although the discharge of a brand new e-book is contested, it will be of no shock if an addition to the sequence emerged within the subsequent few years. It would, nevertheless, be stunning if it didn’t meaningfully build upon the spectacular legacy the sequence has cast in well-liked literature over the previous 20 years.
—Staff author Monique I. Vobecky may be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on X @moniquevobecky.
