By: NICHOLAS NEGRON
Opinion Editor
I fell in love with “The Hunger Games” at the tender age of 15. I was loaned the first novel around the time of my birthday. I spent the weekend reading in complete isolation from my family. After pulling an all-nighter, and using the light on my television remote as a reading light, I was able to complete the first book in a day.
The world of Panem transfixed me. The writing of Suzanne Collins lured me in as each chapter ended in the perfect cliffhanger. The first-person account of Katniss Everdeen is raw and heartbreaking. “The Hunger Games” is the perfect mix of action and romance; not to mention a growing political thriller.
The first book gives description to Katniss’ immediate surrounding, District 12. It is described as almost a forgotten district. People go without food, clean water, and fresh food for uncomfortable amounts of time. The electric fence designed to protect the people of 12, has a larger purpose of preventing escape. Not to mention, the fence is almost never working as electricity is sparse in the District.
There is one chapter in the first book that I credit with changing my reading habits forever. In Chapter 2, Katniss volunteers for her sister, as Prim is chosen to enter The Hunger Games.
For those who do not know, the Hunger Games is a televised battle to the death featuring 24 children. My heart had dropped to the floor, after reading this description. I felt sick and began to sweat as I read Katniss’ account of the reaping (choosing ceremony).
At that moment, I became more invested in the Everdeens than I had in any other fictional character. This includes every Huck Finn, Holden Caulfield, Jay Gatsby and Andrew Wiggin that the literary world had to offer. The first-person writing style changed my reading experience. To be placed in Katniss’ head is to experience every laugh, cry, kiss and kill.
The anticipation for the Games to begin is fueled by strong supporting characters. Effie Trinket, Haymitch Abernathy and, most importantly, Peeta Mellark all help shape Katniss’ journey as she enters the Capitol. Every word Suzanne Collin writes seems calculated to give her readers an arrhythmia.
The book gives readers the best journey possible; free of pause or lack of action. Katniss is the heroine of a generation.
I attribute “The Hunger Games” for making me the strong reader I am today. I became interested in literature that took me to an alternate universe. “Divergent,” “Ender’s Game,” “Graceling,” and the Percy Jackson books became the theme to my high school math classes, hence my less-than-spectacular test scores. I drew pictures in my notebook of Katniss and the other victors. Is it nerdy? Yes. Is it embarrassing? Maybe. Do I still do it? That’s not relevant.
“The Hunger Games” exposed me to the world of words. I used to hate reading. It seemed like a chore. It bored me to sleep. Now I have a collection of novels that are dear to my heart. They even gave me the courage to finish the “Harry Potter” series.
For years, I had been intimidated by the length of the books. I learned that investing my time in brilliant literature brings fulfillment. There is nothing like the feeling of finishing a lengthy novel. It is a mixture of accomplishment and a need for more.
I will always seek interesting stories, thanks to Suzanne Collins. Reading should always be a pleasurable experience. “The Hunger Games” has opened my eyes to a future of reading for leisure. Whether it be in the park, by the beach or on the metro-north, reading relaxes me.
Thank you, Suzanne Collins, for instilling in me a fiery passion for great literature.
