The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games is narrated by 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen. She lives in the poverty-stricken fringes of Panem, a nation that rose from the ruins of post-apocalyptic North America, whose authoritarian government rules over 12 Districts from the confines of its Capitol.

To punish the people of Panem for a rebellion that happened 74 years ago and to emphasize the extent of its power, the Capitol holds the annual Hunger Games, a televised contest for randomly-picked Tributes aged 12-17 years old.

This is the extreme version of Reality TV:  The object of the game is to outwit, outplay, and outlive the competition. The ultimate survivor wins fame, fortune, and a year’s supply of food for his or her entire district.


When Katniss finds herself in the Arena, she resolves to outthink the Gamemakers and to outplay and outlive her fellow Tributes on her own terms. Her performance in the Games stirs the hearts of the audience, but earns her the ire of those who are struggling to maintain the delicate balance of power in the nation. Just as Katniss starts to believe she may actually survive, she also begins to realize that the real Game has only just begun.

Though it is devoid of the magical realms and otherworldly creatures that populate the pages of most popular young adult fiction today, The Hunger Games is making waves in international bestseller lists and in the consciousness of millions of readers.

It has spawned numerous online fan sites, generated several gigabytes worth of heated discussions, and the first book will soon make its way to cinemas as a feature film.

The Hunger Games and its sequels, Catching Fire and Mockingjay, have sold millions of copies worldwide, attracting readers beyond its target young adult market. The series is even endorsed by other bestselling authors like Stephen King (Carrie, The Shining, The Dark Tower series), Stephenie Meyer (The Twilight Saga), and Rick Riordan (The Percy Jackson series), and is favorably reviewed by many literary critics.

The diverse appeal of the series is in its ability to allow readers to experience the story on several different levels despite its formulaic style.

Suzanne Collins used to be a television writer before she began writing novels full-time, and in early interviews, she said that the series is plotted using the 3-Act Structure of television shows. This is evident in the way the story unfolds—the plot moves fast, and the action and suspense will keep readers up all night, thinking while flipping pages.