Late last year a librarian friend recommended I read Suzanne Collins’ new novel “The Hunger Games”. Coming from the woman who also recommended the “His Dark Materials” trilogy I figured I couldn’t go wrong and thankfully, Collins’ novel didn’t disappoint.
The story takes place in the near future in a society guarded by a dictatorship referred to as Capitol. Capitol is surrounded by and controls twelve outlying districts each of which is saddled with the job of producing a specific good, the majority of which is shuttled back to the city leaving the residents of the districts hungry, overworked and fed up. To keep them in line, every year Capitol runs a televised event called “The Hunger Games” in which a boy and a girl from each District is randomly chosen to represent their district in a fight to bitter end where there can only be one survivor.
It’s a fascinating story and though her novel has been well received by many, including Stephenie Meyer (likely a reason for the attention), Collins’ work is of a much higher calibre. Her writing is challenging, her story layered and nuanced and though targeted at a teen demographic, it’s a dark tale which encourages discussions on the importance of family, friendship and morality.
It’s difficult to read the description and not immediately think of Battle Royale (or to an even lesser extent, The Condemned) and though I’ve always considered that film an action packed gore film wading through shallow waters, Collins’ story is definitely trying to get at the issues floating under the surface; whether those will come out in the recently announced film adaptation is yet to be seen.
According to Coming Soon, Lionsgate has picked up the rights to the novel and has hired Collins to adapt the novel for film. It could be argued that it’s not a good idea to have writers adapt their own work since they’re too close to the source material but I’m hopeful that Collins’ experience writing for television will help her in adapting the story from the page to the screen. At this point, there are no other news on the production though I expect we’ll be seeing a director and cast announcement in the coming weeks.
This could potentially be a fantastic film. Sure, the novel is aimed at a teen audience but Collins doesn’t shy away from the action and violence. There is enough material for a dark, dramatic film infused with action but it’s anyone’s guess what direction Lionsgate will take. I assume the announcement of the director will be a good indication. Here’s hoping for the best.
Sounds like it has potential, although I don’t have much more to add as the book it totally on my ‘to read’ list, and Battle Royale is on my ‘to see’ list.
It’ll be interesting to see how they proceed since the book ends on a cliffhanger. It works as a stand alone but definitely leaves you wanting more. That ending would be perfect for a film adaptation; if they have the guts to go that route.
I thought The Hunger Games was totally Battle Royale Lite! It had a very similar plot and and it focused around two people pulling together to get themselves through like the 3 from Battle Royale. Also there is no equivalent to Kazuo Kiriyama who is the most disturbing pschopath in literature since Hannibal Lector.
The way you referenced Battle Royale made me think you were commenting on the movie version which was far far inferior to Battle Royale the book. Plus BR the book gives you a handy checklist at the front so you can cross of the students who don’t quite make it.
You’re absolutely right Joe – I haven’t read the book (though it will soon be on the TBR pile) so I was referring to the film alone. Obviously there are some similarities between the two films but I also think that if adapted correctly, it can be its own thing and NOT BRL. Here’s hoping at least.
It seems like I have to read Battle Royale, but Hunger Games was amazing! I have nothing but praise for the book, and I cannot wait for the movie. I really hope they take their time and really get into Katnis’s head.
@Shelby – I tried to read Battle Royale and only managed to get 25 pages in before giving up. Definitely not the same though it may have something to do with the translation.
I finally got to read Hunger Games and flew right through it, totally enjoyed it – weird to read something so harsh even though it’s geared to a YA audience. Looking forward to seeing what they do with the film.
I read BATTLE ROYAL (the english translation) and dug it. It’s pretty darn similar to the film, baring 2-3 scenes. Enjoyable novel.
I think that Justin Bieber should play Peeta and andriane eleni rellou should play Katniss.
You CANNOT compare the Battle Royale movie to The Hunger Games book because the movie WAS just a gore fest. The book, on the other hand, explored issues involving trust, how quickly people go, or don’t go, towards murder and things of that nature.
I prefer Battle Royale, but that’s because I found Battle Royale to be for a more mature audience (AKA: NOT the young adult audience The Hunger Games goes for). They may have a similar underlying plot, but overall they are very different books.
@Karmela – I kind of disagree with that. You’re right, they’re very different in tone and their audiences are also different but at their core, I think both THE HUNGER GAMES and BATTLE ROYALE are getting at some of the same key points – including issues of loyalty and trust. BR just tends to be marked as a “gore fest” because the action is so prominent but there’s more to it than just cool kills.
Wonder if Battle Royale was American book, then everybody will shout for plagiarism.
I cannot accept arguments like “BR is for adults, HG is for teens, so they are different..” or “BR is violent, while HG is not, so not plagiarism”..
Hell yeah.. As a kid I have a colorful storybook of Adam and Eve, with Eve having no nipples and they never have sex. It is still a Bible story regardless of their audience and their exposure to sex and violent scene.
In plagiarism, we compare ideas, not the way they told the story or to whom they told the story.
Also, I really hate those who consider all violent stories are cheap. Yes, I agree that merely violent stories are probably the cheapest. But there are violent stories that has something more than violence. Violence are just ‘spices’ in those stories, just like romance, emotional, etc.
So here is the equation:
BR: main story + violent
HG: main story + emotional aspect
now change
‘main story’ into ‘french fries’, ‘violent’ into ‘mustard’ and ‘emotional aspect’ into ‘tomato sauce’.
And there are still people who say “hey, they are different food (book). This one got tomato sauce, that one got mustard”.
All story have already been told? what the.. there must be the first one who tell the story..