The Hunger Games - my thoughts
Amy Golledge
23 November 2011
I love reading. Given that I have a 5-hour commute to fill with something other than staring out of the window, this is no bad thing.
Recently I was lent The Hunger Games series. This hugely popular, American teen trilogy heralded as the new Twilight is currently being given the Hollywood treatment.
Don't let the hype put you off - although my teens are now far behind me, it really was a fab read.
So why am I talking about it on Friends of the Earth's Green Blog?
Well, I believe this book does for teens what Dr Seuss's The Lorax did for children in the 1970s.
Author Suzanne Collins paints a believable picture of a post-apocalyptic Earth laid waste by over-consumption, and ready to give up on itself. The survivors live in a strictly-controlled, impoverished world where the Government forces children to compete to the death in 'the hunger games', a tactic aimed at keeping the people down. It's serious stuff.
In between a teen love triangle, coming-of-age themes and heroism we get startling glimpses of the impacts the mismanagement of the planet has had.
It's a brave book that doesn't shy away from difficult subjects - some people will feel squeamish at a book about children slaughtering children. Some aspects of it are straight out of the science fiction genre.
But as disturbing as the hunger games themselves is the view of a future we could face if we carry on consuming as though we have unlimited planets, rather than just one.
Let your teens read this book. They won't be able to get it out of their heads, and that's no bad thing.
Amy Golledge
Communications & Media Team
PS If you're interested in buying a copy of The Hunger Games,and use this link to The Book Depository Friends of the Earth will receive 5% commission.
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