Hunger Games

[CRAMBAM]

I'm about to start the second book, Catching Fire. Maybe they will delve into it more.

[TrekBeatTK]

I can't comment on the novel obviously, not having read it, but if the movie was consistent in that regard, my biggest problem with the story was the lack of background explaining the existence of that kind of post-apocalyptic environment. Yes, the short film when they arrived at the district, narrated by Snow (Sutherland), gave a cursory explanation for it, but otherwise it wasn't really fleshed out and seemed like a very illogical structure as a devised society. [/quote]

I felt the same way. And that short film was the perfect time to tell us what you get for winning, which they never did. In the book it's even worse, because we are told there were originally 13 districts and that after the uprising the Capitol wiped out District 13. But we are never told what that means. Did they just kill everyone? Or irradiate it? Or literally wipe it off the map? Because that leaves me wondering why people don't run away to the ruins of District 13. Of course in the movie we are never told that this is North America either. In fact we get no sense of ANY geography. But really, besides a few other minor details the book is really not much better in this regard.

-TK

[TrekBeatTK]

I kinda feel like I don't want to read the second book until the second movie comes out. I like being able to judge the film on its understandability this way. So often I'm judging as a reader, so it's nice to come at it from the other end.

Plus I want to read something that won't tick me off right now. I've started Lolita and I'm loving it.

-TK

[CRAMBAM]

It's an interesting thought. I'm going to go through all three books. I don't see the need to wait 5 years to finish the story or however long it takes.

They never told you what you get for winning in the movie? I didn't notice. It was in the book, and it's also part of Catching Fire (I read the first chapter).

Look at Haymitch. If you win, you are a national celebrity. In each district, they build 12 super duper nice houses, for the winners. Of course, until Katniss and Peeta won, only Haymitch occupied a house. The others were empty. The winners' families can also live in the nice house--as long as the winner is alive.

They get food, money, and a pretty cushy life for winning. But of course they also have obligations, such as a victory tour the first year, and mentoring.

You may be right about not being told in the movie that it was North America, but it is clear in the book.

[CRAMBAM]

So I'm working through the second book and they ARE touching on District 13.

In fact, if what I'm thinking is right, it's going to be focused on a lot in the second half of book 2.

[CRAMBAM]

I'm moving along the third book, and some of the concerns raised here are absolutely being covered. Hard to say more without spoilers.

I felt Catching Fire was better than Hunger Games. Reserving judgement on Mockingjay as I read through it.