The Hunger Games - Reread

I know I talk about this book often after reading it last year.  I decided to re-read The Hunger Games since the movie is about to be released and I knew it would only take me a couple days to get through the book.  It would have only taken me one if I didn't have the kiddies to look after.

Re-reading this book, I found that my emotions still ran high throughout.  In some cases more than before.  I dreaded having to read the scene with Katniss, Rue and the flowers.  I teared up a bit, but held it in.  (I think it’s the song.  It adds to the emotion of the scene.)  I knew what the final scene with Katniss and Peeta was going to be, but I still felt sorry for Katniss and Peeta. Also, a few things came to my attention that I didn’t really take in the first time around.

I read a review recently of The Hunger Games, though I’m sorry, I don’t remember whose blog it was.  In the review, the blogger complained that it wasn’t believable that Katniss and Gale would be the only ones in District 12 who would venture beyond the fence to hunt and forage in the woods.  After reading that in the review, I thought that was a good point.  However, upon reading the book again, right at the beginning on page 5, Katniss mentions “the few of us who hunt.”  Katniss and Gale do not make a few, so presumably, there are others, (Tiny Spoiler) we just don’t meet them in the first novel.  Then just a few lines later, on page 6, Katniss talks about apple picking in the orchard, making it seem like a larger amount of District 12 residents participate.  Though Katniss knows about other hunters, it is only Gale who she partners with.

(Bigger Spoilers)I’ve also read several reviews that have criticized the romance/love-triangle in the book.  I think the romance between Peeta and Katniss is a necessary part of the plot.  Without it, we wouldn’t get the star-crossed lovers double-suicide at the end.  It is the act that defies the Capitol and the most dangerous thing Katniss does in the entire Hunger Games.  Their “love” changes the Games and the Capitol can’t have that.I think that’s it for spoilers

Do I think the “romance” between Gale and Katniss is necessary?  No.  Not in the first book.  Katniss could just say at some point that she thinks of Gale as a brother or something and that could be it.  But this is still a Young Adult book and apparently has to have some kind of love triangle.  At least it’s not the boys fighting over the girl.  It’s about the girl understanding her own emotions and the person she’s become before she can resolve her feelings about the boys.

I loved reading The Hunger Games again.  Suzanne Collins managed to suck me back into Panem.  I’m resisting the urge to re-read the rest of the series.  I’m going to save Catching Fire and Mockingjay for when the other movies come out.  I’m looking forward to them already.  Unfortunately, I won’t be able to see The Hunger Games movie this weekend.  But my husband is taking me next weekend, when we can have a nice little date without the kids.  I’m not dragging him to see it either.  He’s actually looking forward to it too.