posted March 22, 2014 11:31 PM              

I imagine myself being a glamorously dressed district 1 tribute and slaying everyone with my stratagems.

posted March 23, 2014 07:29 AM              

quote:

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Originally posted by 12muddy:
Yes I do think that they're based on what's going on in society. I think that's why they became popular, people can relate to them.

What I notice the most is social class separation theme. kinda reminds me a bit of my past observations. I've only read the 1st book though, not really my favourite, probably won't continue.

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12muddy, this is how I felt about them too. People can relate but don't see a way out, maybe it's to rub it in people's faces? Idk I haven't read the books so can't comment on that but why not continue?

posted March 23, 2014 10:43 AM            

After I read about the setting of the death game, my immediate thought was "Aren't we all competing in a colossal arena?"

I think it also has a political meaning. One wealthy "city" gets rich by exploiting other poor ones - sounds a bit like how countries were made into "colonies", by one method or another. Also sounds like how sweatshops make use of child labour n cheap labour....etc...

I think the book is interesting, the characters are described in details and as it goes on you sorta can see the shifts/changes in their thoughts, views n personalities. The characters are caught in a such a gripping situation. The things they have to do seem so much the "norms", they don't know that it can be challenged (well Katnip n her guy did challenge the rules in the end of the 1st book).

posted March 23, 2014 02:03 PM              

quote:

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Originally posted by PixieJane:
Generally speaking, my observation is that most adults compare it to somewhat similar movies years ago (as if you can't do that with just about any movie, and it's funny when those who say HG was a ripoff of BR are themselves told BR was a ripoff...

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Whatevs. Battle Royale is a BETTER rip-off of Lord of the Flies than Hunger Games. Shorter, too.

posted March 26, 2014 01:03 AM              

quote:

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Originally posted by 12muddy:
Firemoon, "rubbing it in people's faces" is a good way to put it.

After I read about the setting of the death game, my immediate thought was "Aren't we all competing in a colossal arena?"

I think it also has a political meaning. One wealthy "city" gets rich by exploiting other poor ones - sounds a bit like how countries were made into "colonies", by one method or another. Also sounds like how sweatshops make use of child labour n cheap labour....etc...

I think the book is interesting, the characters are described in details and as it goes on you sorta can see the shifts/changes in their thoughts, views n personalities. The characters are caught in a such a gripping situation. The things they have to do seem so much the "norms", they don't know that it can be challenged (well Katnip n her guy did challenge the rules in the end of the 1st book).

I don't think the writing flows well - as if I know anything about writing lol but yeah, that's one thing I dislike about the book.

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Yes exactly! I also think it's very political. Colonialism set a framework of wealth/political power that still very much exists today internationally.

The "games" are broadcasted to the wealthy for entertainment and everyone is thrown into the arena as if it's an equal playing field, although the reality of the situation should be obvious. Yet the whole premise is that fear doesn't work as a tactic of manipulation unless there's also hope. Everyone loves an underdog comeback story (Katniss and Peeta from district 12) which is why it's played up in the coverage/media... But if ppl start thinking the rules can be broken and there can be more than one winner the Capitol won't tolerate it.

posted June 27, 2021 11:54 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Chanterelle:
I don’t think I even knew there was a fourth book! I guess at this point I would have to go back and re-read all the others first. There’s another similar series, minus the reality-TV-show angle, that my daughter was reading about a year ago that was pretty good, but I can’t remember the name of it right now. It’s sort of like Hunger Games crossed with that M. Night Shyamalan movie, The Village.

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posted August 18, 2025 06:20 PM            

Origins
Collins says she drew inspiration for the series from both classical and contemporary sources. Her main classical source of inspiration is the Greek myth of Theseus and the Minotaur, in which, as a punishment for past crimes, Minos forces Athens to sacrifice seven youths and seven maidens to the Minotaur, which kills them in a vast labyrinth. Collins says that even as a child, she was stunned by the idea since "it was just so cruel" to force Athens to sacrifice its own children.

Collins also cites as a classical inspiration the Roman gladiator games. She feels three key elements create a good game: an all powerful and ruthless government, people forced to fight to the death, and the game's role as a source of popular entertainment.[16]