‘Hunger Games’ – at least there’s no vampires

Posted: Wednesday, February 1, 2012 4:00 am | Updated: 4:17 pm, Tue Jan 31, 2012.

Meh.

That’s about all I can say about Suzanne Collins’ first volume in her bestselling trilogy, “Hunger Games.”

Collins tale of a dystopian future where the government pits 24 children in a fight to the death is a lukewarm yarn, never reaching the heights in youth fiction of the “Harry Potter” books, but staying above the septic sludge that is the “Twilight” series.

When Katniss Everdeen’s young sister is picked to participate in the annual bloodfest called the Hunger Games, she quickly volunteers to take her sibling’s place.

The rest of the novel chronicles Everdeen’s adventures trying to stay alive and her vexing relationship with Peeta, the boy from her home district who is picked to compete in the competition as well.

“Hunger Games” unfolds like a hybrid of Stephen King’s “Running Man” and Golding’s “Lord of the Flies.” The combatants face brutal ends, while the audience watching bets on the outcome like a game show.

And while the concept has promise, the weighty subject matter seems oddly glossed over. It works more as an adventure piece, rather than what could have been an in-depth examination of power.

Of course, this is youth fiction, so maybe that’s a little too much to expect. At least there are no glittering vampires.

Here, try this: For dystopian fiction, nothing is better than Shirley Jackson’s short story “The Lottery,” which recounts the story of small town’s annual tradition with a surprising and disturbing ending.

For youth fiction, check out Neil Gaiman’s “The Graveyard Book.” The Newberry Medal-winning book spins quite a yarn about a young baby who is raised by ghosts in a nearby cemetery after his parents are murdered. Along with being a wonderfully macabre tales at times, “The Graveyard Book” also explores the themes of growing up and self-discovery.

Wes Swift is an editor with Houston Community Newspapers. He may be reached at wswift@hcnonline.com.

Posted in Entertainment on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 4:00 am. Updated: 4:17 pm.

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‘Hunger Games’ – at least there’s no vampires

Reviewed and Recommended by Erik Baquero