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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
4.5 stars; man, I wish Goodreads allowed half-stars
Genuinely enjoyed reading these essays. Reminded me so much of the literary criticism anthologies that I read throughout college. I like these analyses because they're exactly how I approach reading a text -- even something that's considered fluffy, like YA -- in picking out one aspect and then running with it. Good plot and characterization are essential in determining if a work is good, but themes and metaphors leverage a work from mere novel to literature status. Reading this work makes me want to re-read The Hunger Games with a more critical eye, moving away from the Team Peeta vs Team Gale mindset to realizing how, in a span of three books, Suzanne Collins has held up a mirror to us, for us to see ourselves in her words.
Genuinely enjoyed reading these essays. Reminded me so much of the literary criticism anthologies that I read throughout college. I like these analyses because they're exactly how I approach reading a text -- even something that's considered fluffy, like YA -- in picking out one aspect and then running with it. Good plot and characterization are essential in determining if a work is good, but themes and metaphors leverage a work from mere novel to literature status. Reading this work makes me want to re-read The Hunger Games with a more critical eye, moving away from the Team Peeta vs Team Gale mindset to realizing how, in a span of three books, Suzanne Collins has held up a mirror to us, for us to see ourselves in her words.
I only read a chapter but it seemed very good. I related to the author and loved her viewpoint.
A collection of essays about The Hunger Games from very different perspectives. My favorite by far was "Your Heart Is a Weapon The Size of Your Fist." :)
informative
reflective
medium-paced
I was a HUGE fan of the Hunger Games (Who isn't?), so i thought I would give this book a try. It helped me think about the book a little differently, specifically giving me more insight on the politics and behing-the-scenes types of things I never really thought of (or cared about) before. Yes, there are some boring essays in this book (I apologize to those writers), but I fought through it, and overall, I'm glad I did.
Initially, I didn't want to give this book so many stars, but in the end it made me realize (again) how important The Hunger Games trilogy really was and what it taught its readers and it made me tear up, so I guess I really liked it and if you're a fan of the Hunger Games, you should read it too.
I've read the Smart Pop takes on Battlestar and Serenity/Firefly and really liked them. This was one was fine, maybe not as deep, which may be intentional as it is part of the newer "Smart Pop YA" imprint. I did like Ned Vizzini's essay on Katniss's (and his own) media training and the nature of fame. Also insightful was Blythe Woolston's analysis of the impact of PTSD on the surviving tributes.
I did just notice that Smart Pop has a title addressing Alias and forthcoming volumes on Friday Night Lights and Fringe...exciting!!!
I did just notice that Smart Pop has a title addressing Alias and forthcoming volumes on Friday Night Lights and Fringe...exciting!!!
If you're a rabid fan of The Hunger Games you'll most likely find the essays collected within to be insightful, making you think more deeply about the Girl Who Was On Fire and her companions.
The esays at the beginning about the actual text were good. As it went on, though, some of the essays were hit or miss. There was one about fashion that I found fairly boring, but the one about PTSD was really good. One essay about media and war seemed more like the author just wanted to talk about how she's been oh-so-put-upon by the nay-sayers of the world, and I often forgot that I was reading a book about The Hunger Games and not a book about whether or not the War on Terror is/was justified. I ended up skimming most of that pity party.
BUT this is definitely woth the read if only for the literary essays. Those set the girl on fire again and make it worth it.
**Originally posted to BN.com through my Nook**
The esays at the beginning about the actual text were good. As it went on, though, some of the essays were hit or miss. There was one about fashion that I found fairly boring, but the one about PTSD was really good. One essay about media and war seemed more like the author just wanted to talk about how she's been oh-so-put-upon by the nay-sayers of the world, and I often forgot that I was reading a book about The Hunger Games and not a book about whether or not the War on Terror is/was justified. I ended up skimming most of that pity party.
BUT this is definitely woth the read if only for the literary essays. Those set the girl on fire again and make it worth it.
**Originally posted to BN.com through my Nook**