The Hunger Games Trilogy

Part of me didn't want to read these books, The Hunger Games Trilogy (The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay). Two chapters in, realizing the premise, I could only picture "Lord of the Flies" that my high school English teacher made us read. But after reading a review I picked it up again, hopeful for redeeming qualities.

Panem is what is left of the United States in a otherwise destroyed world. It is controlled by "The Capitol" and its President Snow. Seventy four years ago, when District 13 rebelled and was destroyed, the Capitol sets up The Hunger Games, enlisting two children 12-18 from each district as a means to control the other districts through their horror.

Katniss tells us all about her life in District 12 leading up to the reaping of the girl and boy from District 12. When her little sister's name is drawn, she steps up to take her place and the games begin.

Katniss is thrown in to an arena to kill or be killed by 23 other kids. She does kill throughout the books, but does have the redeeming quality of trying to save everyone around her who doesn't want her dead.

A love story unfolds as the other boy from 12, Peeta, declares he has loved her since their younger childhood. After realizing he allied with others to try to protect her, and that the gamemakers have changed the rules so that two tributes from the same district can be co-victors, Katniss seeks Peeta out and keeps him alive. They do sleep in the same space often, for warmth, survival and later to still Katniss's nightmares, but that and some kissing is as far as it goes.

Despite the horrific circumstances, Katniss constantly is true to her upbringing and character in her care and devotion to those around her, first displayed in the ceremony she gives Rue, her first ally who is killed by another tribute.

One thing I definitely liked about the books, is that Katniss even fights the rebels when they cross the line in their defense against the Capitol by fighting like the Capitol. They justify fighting the Capitol using their own tactics, but Katniss insists on what will protect the humans already used and abused as the guide in these decisions.

There is a parallel to real life that I can't quite put into words yet. The fight for truth, justice, rightness. The fight against those that would control us, use us for their own gain and dispose of us when they are finished. The confusion of love when one's emotions are so badly damaged. Fighting to determine what the real reality is despite all of the propaganda that abounds. The evil that exists in humankind (though the answer is found in humankind, instead of its Creator who is never mentioned).

As I've been reading the journals of Jim Elliot in between reading these 3 books, I cannot help but think of "He is no fool, who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot loose." I have often wondered if in our spoiled "Capitol" we would have what it takes to stand for freedom or have we been lulled by our past success. But even more so, would we stand on the Word no matter the circumstances, knowing that not to "fight the the good fight" would be worse than death. As a Christ follower, I am left with more gratitude that this world is not my home.