The Hunger Games Cast - Tributes

   This is a neat little graphic that can be found on the official Hunger Games Facebook page. It is a spread of the cast of all the tributes in the Hunger Games film adaptation.
   It truly is interesting to see some of the characters you have imagined while reading come to life in the form of actors/actresses. Sometimes they look exactly how you would have thought, while other times it takes you by surprise.
   Seeing this image reinforces how young most of these tributes really are. To imagine those depicted in the image participating in a death match and murdering each other is truly unsettling.

Video - Differences Between Book and Movie

   Famous American columnist and film-critic, Richard Roeper, offers his insight into the differences between The Hunger Games novel and the novel's film adaptation.
   A lot of people say that books are better than movies and do not give film adaptations a chance. Roeper, however, makes a good point in saying that you cannot truly compare a novel to a movie, as they are, as he states "apples and oranges." Roeper starts off by explaining how film adaptations must make sacrifices and changes in order to fit their allotted duration. He explains how the sacrifices that must be made cause differences in certain characters being either more (Haymitch) or less (Rue) developed than in the book. Just because a film adaptation does not contain every single detail found in a book, does not make the book necessarily better. A book is a book; and a movie is a movie.
    This video contains a lot of interesting little factoids about the movie as well. Check it out!

A Book Review Worth Reading

http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/overall-a-reviews/a-reviews/review-the-hunger-games-by-suzanne-collins

   This Hunger Games book review by Jia of dearauthor.com is definitely one worth reading if you are either considering picking up the novel or have already read it and want to hear a fresh perspective on it. Jia summarizes the beginning plot and premise of the book effectively without spoiling any of the later events in the novel.
   Jia also offers her own take on the themes of the novel and how she uniquely perceives them. For example, she talks about how "war and violence leave scars on the next generation," and how "everyone has watched at least one episode of a reality tv show for the trainwreck factor." Additionally, she goes in depth into the character of Katniss.
   If you are interested in perhaps picking up the book, if you need convincing, or even if you just want a good read, I recommend reading Jia's review by visiting the link above.

The Hunger Games Plot Summary - WARNING: SPOILERS BELOW

       The story takes place in a post-apocalyptic earth, in a nation called Panem. Panem is located in the ruins of North America and consists of a wealthy capitol surrounded by 12, poorer, outlying districts. The poorest of the 12 districts is District 12, where the story begins and where the story's main character lies.
       Katniss Everdeen is not only the main character of the story, but also the voice in which the entire story is told. She lives in District 12 with her mother and younger sister, Prim. Her father had died in a coal mining accident, leaving Katniss' mother in a state of overwhelming depression and essentially leaving young Katniss and even younger Prim to fend for themselves in the most starved and poor subsection of District 12. As a result of Katniss being forced to become the provider, she has become a very proficient hunter and gatherer at the young age of 16.
      On the day of the reaping, the event where the participants are chosen at random for the upcoming hunger games, Katniss' younger sister Prim is chosen. Katniss, esentially being Prim's guardian and provider for years, as well as knowing that small, innocent, Prim stands no chance in such a harsh free for all environment, volunteers to take her place. The other participant chosen is Peeta Mellark, the son of a baker. Katniss vaguely knows and remembers Peeta from an early memory.

       In the events and training leading up to the games, Katniss and Peeta gain a lot of positive attention from audiences and sponsors alike. They gain attention through their opening ceremony, through Katniss' exceptional 11 out of 12 score in preliminary judging, and through their star-crossed lovers routine. Throughout the events leading up to the games, Peeta is overly friendly to Katniss and eventually reveals, in the pre-game interview, that he is in love with her. Katniss believes this is Peeta's plan to soften her up so he can easily kill her once inside the arena. Still though, she plays along, not only because she wants to seem oblivious to his plan and hopefully make it backfire on him, but also because of the enormous amount of attention it brings to them.
      Throughout the early stages of the games, Katniss remains in hiding, using her hunting and gathering skills to keep herself fed and hydrated, while Peeta allies up with a group of careers (the participants who trained the majority of their lives to compete in the games). Katniss eventually finds herself in a helpless, almost paralyzed, position when Peeta finds her. Though instead of killing Katniss, he tells her to run and Peeta fights off Cato, a very powerful career, so she can get away.
      Around midway through the games, a rule change is announced. The rule change states that participants from the same district can both be declared winners if they are the last two standing. Katniss, remembering how Peeta saved her, is motivated to find, and eventually finds Peeta. Peeta is gravely wounded from fighting off Cato, and Katniss nurses him back to health. Peeta continues to confess and show his genuine love for Katniss during this time, and Katniss, realizing how this could benefit them, plays along. As a result, they receive incredibly useful and life-saving gifts sent from sponsors.
      At the end of the games, Peeta and Katniss are the last two standing. While they wait to be picked up and sent back to the capitol, they receive an announcement. The announcement states that the previous rule change has been revoked and only one winner may be declared. Katniss and Peeta decide they will both end their lives by simultaneously eating poisonous berries. Right before they eat the berries, another announcement is made declaring them both the winners of this year's hunger games.
      After the games, Katniss learns that she is still not safe, due to the fact that she could be a major political target as a result of her defiance to the capitol. Peeta also learns afterwards that Katniss' actions of love in the arena were calculated and not genuine. Peeta is deeply upset by this realization, and decides to part from Katniss after the cameras are all gone. Katniss however, is unsure of her own feelings toward Peeta, and she fears a life without him.