The Hunger Games

I loved this book!!  It was over way too quickly, and I would be seriously depressed right now if there weren't two more books in the trilogy.  The concept of teenagers being forced to fight each other to the death on live TV is definitely disturbing, but it's introduced and handled almost casually - I think we're supposed to feel desensitized to the idea just like the people of Panem.  Life in the Capitol seems full of unreality - crazy costumes and makeup, affected speech, hovercrafts, genetically altered animals - and the people in the Capitol are so intent on their material comforts and are so separated from the districts both physically and morally that they celebrate the Hunger Games and cheer on the competitors as if it really was just a game.  Most of the people in District 12 seem to be just as unconcerned - the games are just another burden imposed by the Capitol that takes time away from their daily struggle for survival.  So as humans, how far does our capacity to accept atrocities go?  Is it our responsibility to keep our head down and try to protect the ones we love or to risk the consequences of speaking out?  Isn't it kind of sick and twisted to enjoy reading this book - does that mean you might enjoy watching the actual Hunger Games as well?

Peeta and Gale - the new Edward and Jacob.  Two good looking guys with different skill sets.  One represents danger, the other security.  A heroine possibly in love with both.  Sound familiar?  I'm pretty sure Katniss could kick Bella's ass any day of the week, but there are certain similarities in the love triangle situation.  Gale is Katniss's literal partner in crime and wants her to run away, and he makes dangerous criticisms of the Capitol.  Peeta also loves Katniss and feeds her and keeps her warm, and her life may depend on her ability to convince the world that she loves him, but Peeta can't "walk with a velvet tread" like Gale and Katniss can't stop thinking of Gale when she's with him.  I was always Team Edward all the way, but I think I prefer Peeta here.  He's self-sacrificing, witty, strong, emotionally available.  It's definitely a tough choice though and I care about these characters enough that I'm already nervous about it.

One final thought - the names in this book bothered me.  Katniss, Clove, Peeta, Thresh, Rue, Glimmer, Cinna...  I guess maybe the strange names were supposed to seem futuristic, but I just found them distracting.  There have got to be some cool futuristic names that don't seem quite as dumb...