I am quite intrigued by this book the moment I have read the title from recommended lists online. Like any other book nerds who love to browse book sites for latest booksellers (or for traditional ones, those who browse bookstores’ bestsellers stand), I always subscribe to a few websites to keep updated myself. Ironically, I am a late bloomer of this book. The first movie which is titled from the book 1 was already released months ago and the second franchise is sooner than later to be released when I was able to touch (and read!) the trilogy.
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| The Hunger Games Trilogy |
What piqued my interest when I came across the title is its theme. What made it popular? Maybe it has some commercial subject on it just like Twilight and Fifty Shades Trilogy (no offense, please!). But what made me acquire doubts to read it is because of rumors that Collins copied the idea from Takami’s “Battle Royale” (1999). But I am not the type of person who believes in rotten reviews or rumors in the net or on print. So to prove them myself (I hate prejudices), I decided to read first the Battle Royale before reading the Hunger Games. There is a-not-that-huge difference between the two. I mean, yes, both stories dwell on kids forced to kill each other by their authoritarian governments’ totally stupid laws but still, the direction and drive of the two stories are quite different.
Battle Royale is more gory, bloody and horrible than the Hunger Games. But there is the passivity of the main characters despite the fact that they hate their government and secretly plotting against it. At least, there is some truth of the impossibility of overthrowing their government's absolute power by some powerless teenagers. The latter is more humanitarian and conservative in terms of horrors and thrillers (and blood and action) than the former although Collins was able to devise the story more differently by throwing a little bit spices: cross-bred animals (mutts and mockingjays), televised duels, star-crossed lovers, and of course, the revolution. Well, okay, okay, there are tortures and inhumane killings in the Part 3 but still, the author was not able to describe the bloody details in rouge words.
***Spoiler alert for those who are still not able to read the two books: both able to escape the stupid games but the one ended in revolution and (peace) while the other ended with its characters being a fugitive. Just guess which is. ***
I’ll give justice to both authors. Although I commend the original mind, I still appreciate Collins’ works. Takami must be proud of it, so as with other artists and geniuses, who became the inspirations of their successors.
:D
