"The Hunger Games": Continuation with Fifth Book

17 years after the first book "The Hunger Games - Deadly Games," Collins adds a new chapter to the series and, similar to the fourth book, looks back into the past once again.

"The Hunger Games": Familiar Faces in the Fifth Book

The core idea of the "Hunger Games" series revolves around the so-called Hunger Games. In the arena of the Capitol, the capital of Panem, these deadly games are held. They are meant to reinforce the power position of the Capitol and President Coriolanus Snow and are comparable to the gladiator fights in ancient Rome. The difference: Here, children fight for their lives. They come from the twelve districts of Panem. Each year, during the "Reaping," a girl and a boy aged twelve to 18 are randomly selected from each district. These 24 children become enemies in the arena, as there can only be one winner.

The fifth book, "The Hunger Games L - The Day Breaks," focuses on the 50th Hunger Games and takes place 24 years before the first arena appearance of Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, the main characters from the first novel. Familiar faces appear: The story is told from the perspective of Haymitch Abernathy, later the mentor of Katniss and Peeta. He is sent to the Capitol as one of - to celebrate the 50th anniversary - 48 tributes from the twelve districts. The outcome is clear. Panem fans know he will emerge as the winner. Nevertheless, it is worth reading. Collins succeeds in telling Abernathy's story with emotion and entertainment.

Much is similar to the previous books: The teenagers must not only compete against each other in a large arena but also against mutated animals and artificially created natural disasters. The struggle for survival is transferred to the Capitol and the districts, and those who make a good impression "outside" can hope for food from "sponsors." The struggle for survival is grippingly portrayed, and the delicate bonds of friendship that form are understandable. However, the young adult novel gains depth, especially when the emotional entanglements become clearer.

Fifth Book Completes the Panem Universe

There are many cross-references and developments that Panem fans are likely to love. It is the story that completes the Panem universe - even if it wasn't missed before. As with all its predecessors, Collins addresses the gap between rich and poor and all the emotions that arise when the two collide. Anger, fear, rebellion, despair, resignation, and rebellion. She also highlights the cruelty of dictatorship and the value of friendships and alliances. She shows that opposites do not have to be mutually exclusive and that prejudices often crumble upon a second and third look.

When help suddenly comes from an unexpected direction, it once again shows that oppression and frustration can be found at all levels of society. Collins also revisits the power of manipulated images. The novel "The Hunger Games L - The Day Breaks" is overall less complex than its predecessors. But that doesn't harm it at all. On the contrary. This makes the excitingly written and easy-to-read book almost like a whirlwind to read - even though you seem to already know the script.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.