Written by: Khushi Arora @lonevixen_ka
If there’s any book which has pioneered to redefine YA tropes, Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games has to be it. As the American author turns 58 today, it's no surprise that her books continue to be hailed as timeless.
The Hunger Games series is set in the dystopian nation of Panem. It follows the first-person account of a teen’s survival against the Capitol. Initially pictured as a scared girl driven by emotions, Katniss’ growth is unforgettable. She transforms into the warrior who fights for what’s right; but not without her flaws.
Collins’ father was an Air Force officer, who as Collins says, felt a great responsibility and urgency about educating his children about war. She too feels that with the amount of media available today, kids should be able to separate wars that are just and necessary, from the opposite. Greek mythology, especially the myth of Theseus, also inspired Collins while writing the Hunger Games books.
With breathtaking action, a smoking hot love triangle and some inconspicuous realism, The Hunger Games is undoubtedly a YA revolution. Despite being a fictional dystopia inspired by lore, the books are an interesting depiction of the real world. A world in which the higher powers leave no opportunity of manipulating and exploiting the powerless. A world which witnesses remorseless violence and death every day. But also a world in which people like Katniss exist, who, despite being morally ambiguous, play their part in making the world a better place. This year, Collins also released an intriguing prequel titled The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes which follows the origin story of the notorious villain Snow. All in all, it suffices to say that The Hunger Games is a wholesome masterpiece and a must-read (or even must-watch) for everyone.
Happy Birthday, Suzanne Collins! May the odds be ever in your favour! Press the three middle fingers of your left hand to your lips and hold them out to Ms. Collins!
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