The Hunger Games

by Suzanne Collins

Paperback, 374 pages

English language

Published Sept. 16, 2009 by Scholastic Inc..

ISBN:: 978-0-439-02352-8
OCLC Number:: 438297569

(63 reviews)

The Hunger Games is a 2008 dystopian novel by the American writer Suzanne Collins. It is written in the perspective of 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives in the future, post-apocalyptic nation of Panem in North America. The Capitol, a highly advanced metropolis, exercises political control over the rest of the nation. The Hunger Games is an annual event in which one boy and one girl aged 12–18 from each of the twelve districts surrounding the Capitol are selected by lottery to compete in a televised battle royale to the death.

The book received critical acclaim from major reviewers and authors. It was praised for its plot and character development. In writing The Hunger Games, Collins drew upon Greek mythology, Roman gladiatorial games, and contemporary reality television for thematic content. The novel won many awards, including the California Young Reader Medal, and was named one of Publishers Weekly's "Best Books of …

The Hunger Games was first published in hardcover on September 14, 2008, by Scholastic, featuring a cover designed by Tim O'Brien.

77 editions

Brett Hodnett reviewed The Hunger Games Hunger Games PB by Suzanne Collins

A fun read

4 stars

Engaging read, I enjoyed it quite a lot. It is a fairly basic, and despite all the twists and turns, in the main, a predictable plot. The main character, and others, have a really crappy and sad existence, but because of the style of the book, it doesn't really bring out any depth of feeling in the reader. It reminded me of an anecdote, whether true or not, about the making of the first Star Wars movie in 1977. Apparently, after the heroes were trapped in the trash compactor, Mark Hamill asked why, in the next scene, their hair wasn't wet. Harrison Ford apparently replied, "It ain't that kind of movie kid." Well The Hunger Games "ain't that kind of book", but it's well worth a read.

Chelle reviewed The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Review of 'The Hunger Games' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

So, I saw the movie first. This kind of story really isn't my usual read so despite the hype I didn't read it. However the movie put a lot of questions into my head that the book happily answered. There was a lot going on in Katniss' mind, and while everyone I know hailed her as this great female lead character the movie kind of whitewashes that a little. I wondered if the book did a better job, happy to say it did.

I'm holding out judgement on whether or not I truly like the series until I've done all three books. How they wrap it up is going to really determine that for me.
______

UUUGH this book. That's a good sort of UGH, but also just one of frustration. Looking at the series as a whole I just want to weep for humanity, because honestly …

Keith Stevenson reviewed The Hunger Games Movie-Tie in-Edition [Paperback] [Nov 10, 2014] SUZANNE COLLINS by Suzanne Collins

Review of 'The Hunger Games Movie-Tie in-Edition [Paperback] [Nov 10, 2014] SUZANNE COLLINS' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

Easy to see why people like this. The story is very well plotted, and each chapter ends with a 'must turn the page' moment. Katniss is such a likeable character because she ACTS rather than being acted upon. On to the next installment...

jkb reviewed The Hunger Games Movie-Tie in-Edition [Paperback] [Nov 10, 2014] SUZANNE COLLINS by Suzanne Collins

Review of 'The Hunger Games Movie-Tie in-Edition [Paperback] [Nov 10, 2014] SUZANNE COLLINS' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

I really liked it. It was surprising from beginning to end. It's nice to read an YA book that was fun, thought-provoking, and entertaining.

4thace reviewed The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Review of 'The Hunger Games' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

This book could have been far worse, with its conceit of a runaway version of Survivor that has to play out on top of the most implausible love story, but it turns out to be a competent story which hits all the marks it's supposed to in the proper sequence, setting things up for the other books in the series as well. The main character seemed kind of obtuse when it comes to the motivations of Peeta, but this unsophistication is probably intended to appeal to the younger market. Similarly, the dystopian rulers of the society are depicted with a pretty broad brush throughout.

lovmelovmycats reviewed The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Review of 'The Hunger Games' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

I am absorbed in this series. I don't know yet if this is one of my favorite books, or if it just feels like that because I am so in love with it right now.

Ardi reviewed The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Review of 'The Hunger Games' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

I really liked this book. It seemed to me like a cross between Ender's Game and Lord of the Flies, two of my favorites. Very compelling, especially for a YA book.