I suppose I should prequel this with “I watched the movie first”. In this instance I am very glad for that fact. In the movie you have less time to form an attachment to certain characters so when they die you feel less sad. This is an important fact for me in a book prevailing in death. I’ve been known to quit a whole series if I get too affected by something; I end up with too many emotions and can fix it only by trying to forget it happened. Although expecting it is only half of it, even when I know it’s going to happen a part of me still wishes it will end differently.
The book was, with the exception of a few minor details, exactly the same as the movie. It’s written in first person so you really get into Katniss’ head; what she is thinking and her motives behind everything. You find out what drives her. I like this. It’s been awhile since I read a book in 1st person.
This book seems very controversial since not only is it about killing, but it’s about killing children. I’m not sure if this should bother me more, but all I really think about is Gladiator. Sure Russell Crowe was an adult, but I doubt every gladiator in the coliseum was an ex-roman soldier, so I weigh it with similar value. Our civilization has proven throughout history that it finds entertainment in slaughter and death, so why should this future society be any different? The final death in the series is the most disturbing, and I try not to think of it because it makes me feel very sick. No one should be treated like that, and it really made me hate the Capitol as much as Katniss. More than anything I want her to win.
The death I was dreading throughout the book was Rue. I don’t remember feeling very affected by her death when I saw the movie but I didn’t really know her that well either. I remember the first time she was mentioned in the book, and every time her name came up I wanted to start crying. I knew she was going to die. I expected it. I still wanted it to be a lie. With every page turn I knew I was merely expediting the tragic scene of her death. The alliance doesn’t last long between Katniss and Rue, but every time Katniss speaks of her, mentions her, describes her, you’re left with this sense; you want her to live. I think it’s a little more impacting because she is the youngest. At 12 years old she is forced into this gruesome battle. At 12 years old she breathes her last breath. It’s not quick and it’s not painless. Of every death in this book Rue is the one that matters most, it is the most haunting, and no matter what else happens Katniss always comes back to Rue. I cried.
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