The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins

     I know I've been talking a lot about The Girl Who Was on Fire, and I apologize, I am almost done, so most likely I will talk about the whole book next week, but for now, I thought it would be interesting to share my thought and beliefs on The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins. The main thing that I found extremely interesting, was how most parts of the story were not very detailed, so the reader could interpret them how ever they wanted. In the next paragraphs, I will be talking about this.

     Katniss' relationship with her sister Prim, is a huge part of the story. If Katniss didn't love Prim, she wouldn't even be in the hunger games in the first place. Prim was supposed to play in the games, but Katniss volunteered to take her sisters place, because she loved her, and didn't want her to die, (something most people wouldn't want to happen to someone they cared about.) The funny thing is though, that Suzanne Collins never actually said that she volunteered out of love, it's just something we assume, I as the reader doubt that Katniss actually wanted to play in the hunger games, so I assume that she took Prim's place, because she loved her, even though Suzanne Collins never mentioned that.

     Another example is when Peeta announces his love for Katniss. The author never mentions if he is telling the truth or not, Katniss thinks he's lining, but me as the reader am positive that he is serious. He tries to prove to her that he really does love her, by telling her stories of their childhood, and how he always thought she was beautiful, but she still thinks he is making it up for sponsors. As the reader I was getting very frustrated, because Katniss still wasn't buying it, when it was so extremely obvious to me that he really loved her. Suzanne Collins never mentions if he is lying, or telling the truth, so it is up to the reader to decide. Even though I don't think he's lying, doesn't mean I'm right, once again, Suzanne Collins leaves it completely up to the reader to decide.

     In conclusion, The Hunger Games is a very open book. What I mean by that, is that even though it is very detailed plot wise, the are lots of aspects in it that are left open for the reader to interpret in their own way. Personally I like this, because it makes the book even more fun to read, since you get to think of it how ever you want. This really show the expression "show not tell," because Suzanne Collins shows a lot, and does't tell anything.