Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Friday, July 8, 2011
A Review of The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins
This trio of young adult novels by Suzanne Collins takes place in the future world of Panem, located in what was once North America. Panem is made up of 12 districts and the Capitol, all controlled by President Snow and various other members of the Capitol city. The citizens of the rest of the 12 districts exist only to provide for the Capitol; provide food, clothing, medicine, coal and very importantly, entertainment.
Many years past, the citizens of the 13 original districts had risen up to rebel against a very unfair living arrangement. District 13 was obliterated and the Hunger Games were begun as a way to control the other districts. Each year, a boy and a girl from each district, between the ages of 12 and 17, is "reaped", their names chosen from a list of all of the children in that district. Once chosen, those two children join the 22 others from the remaining districts for a fight to the death in an arena, termed the Hunger Games. This spectacle is broadcast as required watching for all citizens of Panem, who in the 12 districts get to watch those they know and love get brutally murdered by other children.
In District 12, Katniss Everdeen, a 16 year old living in the poorest of the districts, supports her mother and beloved younger sister, Prim, with her illegal hunting and creative ways of providing for her family.
On the day of the reaping this year, Prim is the one whose name is chosen. Katniss immediately volunteers to go for Prim instead. In her mind, she has agreed to die for her but cannot bear the thought of Prim dying in the Games.
What unfolds from here is a spectacular tale of rising up against oppression, with Katniss becoming the symbol for the rebellion. She is joined in the Hunger Games by the first of two love interests, Peeta, who is a baker's son she's known for years.
Throughout this story (it is truly one long story broken into three parts), the author does an amazing job of writing flawed characters. Put into this world, there are few who are selfless, or even marginally kind. Katniss herself is surly at best, having been forced to care for her family since her father died when she was 11. For any young adult reading this novel, it truly shows how a young girl feels inside at this age; not always able to see the true motives of those around her or believe the truly good things about herself.
This story also a commentary on many social and political issues, interspersed with lessons about what should and should not be trusted in life. The politics of those on Katniss' own side of the war, for example, is a lesson on how those in power are those who disseminate the information, and how they spin it and whether how they act on in is in the best interest of the people. It is a lesson on how human beings treat each other and why, how arbitrary things are in life and how betrayal is a part of that.
Although these books were written for YA, they are easily accessible for adults. I found myself riveted, in no small part because of how much the author made me root for Katniss. She is an extremely complicated character, but one I would want on my side in a rough situation. She can't help but protect those who are smaller or weaker than she is, and even those who aren't. She is cold and calculating, though, which makes her decisions and her words unlikable at times, but she is as real a character as I've ever read.
I was struck by the more esoteric parts of Suzanne Collins' writing as well. For example, she references other literature, most notably numbering Katniss' army squadron (from the final book, Mockingjay) 451. The numbers have no meaning in the army, and this number is most easily remembered from Ray Bradbury's tale, Fahrenheit 451, another futuristic story about government control. This is only one reference, however. She uses character's names (eg. Cressida, Castor, Pollux) to further reference historical and literary ideas, as well as metaphorical ideas (naming the very evil President Snow, whose breath smells like blood and roses).
In all, these novels are well-worth reading for those of all ages who like a gripping futuristic tale that isn't all that far-fetched.
Many years past, the citizens of the 13 original districts had risen up to rebel against a very unfair living arrangement. District 13 was obliterated and the Hunger Games were begun as a way to control the other districts. Each year, a boy and a girl from each district, between the ages of 12 and 17, is "reaped", their names chosen from a list of all of the children in that district. Once chosen, those two children join the 22 others from the remaining districts for a fight to the death in an arena, termed the Hunger Games. This spectacle is broadcast as required watching for all citizens of Panem, who in the 12 districts get to watch those they know and love get brutally murdered by other children.
In District 12, Katniss Everdeen, a 16 year old living in the poorest of the districts, supports her mother and beloved younger sister, Prim, with her illegal hunting and creative ways of providing for her family.
On the day of the reaping this year, Prim is the one whose name is chosen. Katniss immediately volunteers to go for Prim instead. In her mind, she has agreed to die for her but cannot bear the thought of Prim dying in the Games.
What unfolds from here is a spectacular tale of rising up against oppression, with Katniss becoming the symbol for the rebellion. She is joined in the Hunger Games by the first of two love interests, Peeta, who is a baker's son she's known for years.
Throughout this story (it is truly one long story broken into three parts), the author does an amazing job of writing flawed characters. Put into this world, there are few who are selfless, or even marginally kind. Katniss herself is surly at best, having been forced to care for her family since her father died when she was 11. For any young adult reading this novel, it truly shows how a young girl feels inside at this age; not always able to see the true motives of those around her or believe the truly good things about herself.
This story also a commentary on many social and political issues, interspersed with lessons about what should and should not be trusted in life. The politics of those on Katniss' own side of the war, for example, is a lesson on how those in power are those who disseminate the information, and how they spin it and whether how they act on in is in the best interest of the people. It is a lesson on how human beings treat each other and why, how arbitrary things are in life and how betrayal is a part of that.
Although these books were written for YA, they are easily accessible for adults. I found myself riveted, in no small part because of how much the author made me root for Katniss. She is an extremely complicated character, but one I would want on my side in a rough situation. She can't help but protect those who are smaller or weaker than she is, and even those who aren't. She is cold and calculating, though, which makes her decisions and her words unlikable at times, but she is as real a character as I've ever read.
I was struck by the more esoteric parts of Suzanne Collins' writing as well. For example, she references other literature, most notably numbering Katniss' army squadron (from the final book, Mockingjay) 451. The numbers have no meaning in the army, and this number is most easily remembered from Ray Bradbury's tale, Fahrenheit 451, another futuristic story about government control. This is only one reference, however. She uses character's names (eg. Cressida, Castor, Pollux) to further reference historical and literary ideas, as well as metaphorical ideas (naming the very evil President Snow, whose breath smells like blood and roses).
In all, these novels are well-worth reading for those of all ages who like a gripping futuristic tale that isn't all that far-fetched.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
A Review of The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon
The Story of Beautiful Girl is a tale of the purposely forgotten, the mentally and physically disabled who were forced into living in group settings in the 20th century. These homes were neglectful, abusive and harsh, extremely unpleasant for those living there, some of whom were not disabled much at all, only misunderstood.
Beautiful Girl is Lynnie, a resident at one of these homes, who along with her deaf boyfriend, who in the beginning of the story is only known as Number 42, escapes from the institution to give birth to her daughter. Since they have escaped, they must find someone to help them, which they do accidentally in the form of septuagenarian Martha, whom they press the newborn baby upon. When the authorities from the home find them there, Lynnie is caught, Number 42 (who we later find out is named Homan) escapes, and Martha keeps the child, Julia, and raises her.
This story is told over years, jumping from Martha, to Lynnie, to Kate one of the caretakers at the institution who helps tell Lynnie's story, to Homan. Lynnie and Homan love each other, and are separated by ignorance, geography and their respective disabilities.
This tale is a harsh one, although fiction, it baldly shows what these institutions were like and how they treated their residents. It manages to be a beautiful tale of love: both family love and romantic love.
Ms. Simon does a fantastic job of rendering the tale from the perspective of those who view the world in the way of those who are marginalized. Although we know Homan is deaf, he is unable to sign, read or write, and so his part of the story is told from his limited perspective, as is Lynnie's. We don't know her disability, but it appears she is of limited intelligence. However, she is an artist of rare talent, something that is eventually nurtured as it should be and blossoms to show she may be limited in her means of communication, but that she is not necessarily limited as a human being.
This is a beautiful story of how love can unite people, some who don't even know each other at all. It is also a social commentary, and a heart-wrenching one, making us all ashamed of the marginalization of the disabled in our society.
I would recommend this book to all readers.
Beautiful Girl is Lynnie, a resident at one of these homes, who along with her deaf boyfriend, who in the beginning of the story is only known as Number 42, escapes from the institution to give birth to her daughter. Since they have escaped, they must find someone to help them, which they do accidentally in the form of septuagenarian Martha, whom they press the newborn baby upon. When the authorities from the home find them there, Lynnie is caught, Number 42 (who we later find out is named Homan) escapes, and Martha keeps the child, Julia, and raises her.
This story is told over years, jumping from Martha, to Lynnie, to Kate one of the caretakers at the institution who helps tell Lynnie's story, to Homan. Lynnie and Homan love each other, and are separated by ignorance, geography and their respective disabilities.
This tale is a harsh one, although fiction, it baldly shows what these institutions were like and how they treated their residents. It manages to be a beautiful tale of love: both family love and romantic love.
Ms. Simon does a fantastic job of rendering the tale from the perspective of those who view the world in the way of those who are marginalized. Although we know Homan is deaf, he is unable to sign, read or write, and so his part of the story is told from his limited perspective, as is Lynnie's. We don't know her disability, but it appears she is of limited intelligence. However, she is an artist of rare talent, something that is eventually nurtured as it should be and blossoms to show she may be limited in her means of communication, but that she is not necessarily limited as a human being.
This is a beautiful story of how love can unite people, some who don't even know each other at all. It is also a social commentary, and a heart-wrenching one, making us all ashamed of the marginalization of the disabled in our society.
I would recommend this book to all readers.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
A Review of Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult
Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult is a story told from the perspective of the three main characters in it: Zoe, Max and Vanessa. The story begins with Max and Zoe as a married couple suffering through infertility. They have gone through repeated cycles of IVF, and Zoe wound up losing a baby late in pregnancy to stillbirth. At this point, Max decides he can't be married to her anymore and asks for a divorce.
Max is a weak link, an alcoholic without the ability to make decisions for himself, even after he quits drinking. He becomes a born-again Christian, which appears to solve all his problems at the beginning. The church he joins is Evangelical, and believes everyone is going to hell and they should crusade against pretty much all of society that isn't exactly like they are. Max is living with his brother Reid and sister-in-law Liddy, who are devoted church members themselves.
Zoe eventually comes out of her depression after losing both her baby and her husband when she starts spending time with Vanessa. She already knows Vanessa through work. Zoe is a music therapist who works with senior citizens as well as dying, autistic, and depressed children. Vanessa is a counselor in the school Zoe works in. First, they are friends. Zoe is aware that Vanessa is gay, but doesn't think much about it until she realizes that she has fallen for Vanessa, who is already half in love with Zoe anyway. They begin a relationship which leads to marriage, but they cannot get married in Rhode Island and must go to Massachussetts to do so.
Eventually, Vanessa offers to carry a child since Zoe cannot, and they ask Max for access to the embryos that were left from the marriage. This is when everything begins to happen.
Max, being now a religious Christian, is horrified that his ex-wife is now "choosing" to be gay, and his Pastor hires an Evangelical Christian attorney who's main work is to crusade around the country spreading hate everywhere he goes. They start a court case to keep Zoe and Vanessa from getting the embryos.
This story is extremely emotional, and well-told from both sides. Although it is clear Ms. Picoult falls on the more liberal side of the political spectrum, she handles both sides of the story and all character's viewpoints equally. It would have been easy to paint Max as "the bad guy", but he truly is not. The Pastor and the lawyer are definitely shown as the nasty human beings they are, always so convinced that they are right, and manipulating everyone else to do their bidding. Max is such a character, so easily swayed by their machinations. But in the end, he does stand up for himself, rather than just his newfound beliefs.
I enjoyed this book, but some of it was difficult to read. I am aware of those loudmouth political people who are out there spouting hate left and right, but in the interest of my own sanity, I usually try to avoid listening or reading about them. This was a bit enforced, as it was crucial to the story. It's hard to hear such hatred being spewed at anyone, whether I am part of the group or not.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the topic. It was well-written and very timely in it's subject matter. I hope someday to revisit this story and find it dated in it's viewpoints.
Max is a weak link, an alcoholic without the ability to make decisions for himself, even after he quits drinking. He becomes a born-again Christian, which appears to solve all his problems at the beginning. The church he joins is Evangelical, and believes everyone is going to hell and they should crusade against pretty much all of society that isn't exactly like they are. Max is living with his brother Reid and sister-in-law Liddy, who are devoted church members themselves.
Zoe eventually comes out of her depression after losing both her baby and her husband when she starts spending time with Vanessa. She already knows Vanessa through work. Zoe is a music therapist who works with senior citizens as well as dying, autistic, and depressed children. Vanessa is a counselor in the school Zoe works in. First, they are friends. Zoe is aware that Vanessa is gay, but doesn't think much about it until she realizes that she has fallen for Vanessa, who is already half in love with Zoe anyway. They begin a relationship which leads to marriage, but they cannot get married in Rhode Island and must go to Massachussetts to do so.
Eventually, Vanessa offers to carry a child since Zoe cannot, and they ask Max for access to the embryos that were left from the marriage. This is when everything begins to happen.
Max, being now a religious Christian, is horrified that his ex-wife is now "choosing" to be gay, and his Pastor hires an Evangelical Christian attorney who's main work is to crusade around the country spreading hate everywhere he goes. They start a court case to keep Zoe and Vanessa from getting the embryos.
This story is extremely emotional, and well-told from both sides. Although it is clear Ms. Picoult falls on the more liberal side of the political spectrum, she handles both sides of the story and all character's viewpoints equally. It would have been easy to paint Max as "the bad guy", but he truly is not. The Pastor and the lawyer are definitely shown as the nasty human beings they are, always so convinced that they are right, and manipulating everyone else to do their bidding. Max is such a character, so easily swayed by their machinations. But in the end, he does stand up for himself, rather than just his newfound beliefs.
I enjoyed this book, but some of it was difficult to read. I am aware of those loudmouth political people who are out there spouting hate left and right, but in the interest of my own sanity, I usually try to avoid listening or reading about them. This was a bit enforced, as it was crucial to the story. It's hard to hear such hatred being spewed at anyone, whether I am part of the group or not.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the topic. It was well-written and very timely in it's subject matter. I hope someday to revisit this story and find it dated in it's viewpoints.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
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