I was never much into Harry Potter. I read the first book when it came out and I liked it, but in the same way that I like Peter Pan or The Jungle Book. While I can appreciate J.K. Rowlings immense talent, I couldn’t understand how adults were so emotionally invested in her series, how they lined up outside bookstores through the night in striped scarves waiting for the next release. I certainly read my fair share of light, frothy books, but they are usually light, frothy books written for my age group. Harry Potter is a children’s book and, well, I’m an adult.
Harbouring a similar skepticism for the Twilight series I decided to skip it entirely. Except, surrounded by a cultural fervor for vampires and a generation of newborns named Bella, I felt really left out. I didn’t know whose team I was on! I couldn’t throw my weight behind Edward or Jacob as a life partner. I couldn’t really speak to the vampire experience versus the human one. I felt so isolated! Like I missed out on an entire social movement. Unable to identify a single tween’s costume at Halloween, worst of all, I felt out of touch.
Refusing to allow another zeitgeist shift to pass me by, I forced myself to read the first book of the Hunger Games trilogy. When Amazon suggested that I save money by ordering the complete set together, I scoffed at its upsell.
Nice try Amazon, but one young adult fantasy novel is more than enough.
After this quick, obligatory foray into young pop culture, I would be sinking my teeth back into grownup books.
I read all three books in two days. I read through meals, through the night and in the shower, with one arm extended outside the curtain. An eerie mix of Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery and Stephen King’s The Running Man, I didn’t just love the Hunger Games: I was obsessed with them. All I wanted to do was talk about them, discuss the pros and cons of Peeta versus Gale as a life partner, debate the District experience versus the Capitol one. But now that I know what team I’m on (Team Peeta), there doesn’t seem to be anyone to talk to about it.
“Would you protect me in the arena if we were both chosen as Tributes?” I ask my husband.
“What are you talking about?”
“Like, would you team up with me or would you play to win?”
“Well, I always play to win,” he says.
“This isn’t like jeopardy you know. People die!”
“Who dies?”
“I could die!”
“In an arena?”
Oh Peeta!
Where were all the sign weilding, tee-shirted tweens declaring their fictional boy loyalty? Where were all the babies named Katniss?
I remembered I had a soccer team of nieces and nephews. I excitedly dialed my brother to see if his nine-year-old son, a voracious reader, was into the Hunger Games yet so the two of us could talk about it.
“The title sounds a little racy, doesn’t it?” my brother asked, “I didn’t know what it was at first. I wondered for a second if they were previewing a porno before The Lorax.’”
I’ll have to mail my nephew my copies, but it doesn’t really help because I want to talk about how awesome they are now. Which is why I am counting down the days until the movie. I might have also taped the commercial so I can watch it again and again. I don’t think I have ever been to the opening night of a show but I have already recruited my husband to line up for me at the crack of dawn. It’s the least he can do after not vowing to protect me as a fellow Tribute. I love the hype and all the buzzing anticipation. I want to be around people who loved the books as much as I did. I don’t know if people are dressing up like ‘the girl on fire’ or the mockingjay or anything for this event, but if they are, I want to be a part of it. I want to dress up in flames, with a sheaf of arrows straped on my back and cheer when the projector rolls. I want to clap for Katniss.
I think I am into the Hunger Games because I like the depiction of such a strong girl. Not just strong in soul and spirit like a Jane Eyre, an Emma or an Anne of Green Gables, but a girl with physical prowess who can take care of herself. Not a woman yet like Lara Croft, but a girl. A young girl who can kick some ass, whose appearance is secondary to her ability to wield a bow. You don’t get that in a lot of heroines.
I can’t help but think back to myself as a little girl and I wonder what happened to my Katnissness? There was a time when I was fearless, when I would look adversity in the eye and think it was no match for me. I don’t feel that way anymore. I used to feel alight with ambition and hope but those tingles have subsided. I don’t feel like a victor anymore.
I understand now why adults can become invested in books about wizards and vampires: it feels so good to connect to our younger selves, to a time when we may have felt braver and like anything is possible.
Anyone else out there over the age of fifteen who loves the Hunger Games? What Team are you on?
Team Peeta! Couldn’t but the book down.
I found out my husband could drive me to work without me telling him where to turn and what to avoid on the way, since I was so busy reading the book, it turned out it was his quiet time with me.
I get so excited when the trailers are on, I stop everything to watch. Friday, night I will be in the line up to see the movie!
SUCH a good idea Patty! I have been known to miss my subway stop when engrossed in a book. Much better to have someone who can tell you when you have arrived at your destination.
So happy someone else gets excited about the trailers!
Until I saw an ad a week ago, I had no idea what a Hunger Game was (still not sure), but I was thrilled to discover you were a kindred spirit (to steal from “Anne of Green Gables” – now there’s a fantastic children/adult book) when it comes to “Harry Potter.” I read the first installment, thought it a solid kids’ book, and had no interest in any subsequent involvement with Mr. Potter. Although, if it got a few young’uns to read something of more than Tweet length, then this is to be commended.
I’ve actually never read Anne of Green Gables. I just know of her. I’m a terrible Canadian.
I have no idea what the hunger games are so I cannot comment on them. But the excitement in your post is palpable! And I’d love to find something that brought the teenage pep back into my middle-age spread.
🙂
Your spirit is far from middle-aged Elizabeth!
Team Peeta all the fricken way!
Thank goodness Gary will read anything so he read the series too and loved them. Every time the trailer comes on tv he angrily shouts “if they screw up this movie I will be so mad”
Peeta’s the best. The movie does have Lenny Kravitz in it so, to my mind, it’s already amazing. L.K. can dress me up in whatever he wants, whenever he wants (though, I would rather he undress me-too much information?)
OMG! OMG! OMG! (as the teens would say, I think that’s sill “in”). I am also obsessed with the books. I CAN’T wait to see the movie. It was the only thing making me want to come back home from my vacation. I sooooooooooo wish I had tickets to the pre-screening. Lucky girl! I can’t stop talking about the book. It’s my opening line whenever I speak to any of my friend. “Have you read the hunger games? Oh… you haven’t? well, you should. I mean… GO AND GET IT RIGHT NOW”. Glad to hear there’s others out there like me. My husband read it too and he’s also “obsessed”… but he won’t admit that 😉
We should get together immediately to discuss! I don’t have pre-screening tickets! I thought Friday was my first chance? Am I behind!? Tell your husband there is no shame in being Hunger Games obsessed and I can’t wait to talk to you both about the movie.
Pretty sure OMG is still in. I will confer with my niece who is eight going on eighteen and report back.
My daughter 14 and BF’s daughter 12 are both devoted fans. I’ve haven’t read them yet though she keeps ordering me to before the movie comes. We have tickets for Friday 3:40! My daughters, husband and I are all taking the day off to travel to my friends so we can all see the movie together.
I guess I could try to squeeze in reading the first book before Friday?
Lynne, you could definitely read all 3 by Friday but no need-I think this is going to be one of the rare times where the movie is as good as the book. I love that you are all taking the day off to see the movie together! You are far and away the funnest mom ever!
I feel so out of the loop!! What is this Hunger Games you speak of and that I have seen a few posts pop up on Facebook about?! I also wasn’t into Twilight (though I did just get a burned copy of it so I could check it out – but then it didn’t work on my computer!), and I watched some of the Harry Potter movies (but didn’t read the book) – but this sounds very exciting!! I guess this is what happens when you move to Africa!!! Hmmm….we do have a movie theatre here, perhaps I should check to see if they are going to show it…or should I read the books first? At least this is something else to look forward to when I come home 🙂
Hope all is well!!
J.
That’s the great thing about moving to Africa, Jill. You never have to know a thing about pop culture ever again because you set the bar for cool for the rest of us. No one could ever write a heroine as inspiring and bad-ass as you!
Clearly, Jennifer Lawrence is a gal who really does know how to kick ass. I don’t know much about THG, but if you haven’t seen her in Winter’s Bone, you should. She kicks some mean booty in that one too. You’d be proud of her.
Haven’t seen Winter’s Bone. Will have to check it out after the Hunger Games.
On a plane last summer I started reading The Hunger Games (on Kobo but had given my 14 yo son a hardcopy for camp). I loved it. When I visited him at camp, he’d read the whole thing in 2 weeks (pretty good for a ‘boy who doesn’t read’) and we talked at length about it! Both excited about the upcoming release of the movie, I am now heartbroken he is going to go see it with his girlfriend instead of me 🙁
“But… but… but… it’s *our* book”
How pathetic am I? But how wonderful this book 🙂
Neither of us have read the other two but are both planning to…
I can’t wait to read your movie review!!
Astra! You are more than welcome to come on down to Toronto and see the movie with me. Then it can be *our* movie!
I feel so late to the party… Was in a store last Friday and saw The Hunger Games display -I was wondering what all the hype was about so I decided to buy the book…I devoured the book in a night… and Saturday morning bright and early I returned my copy for the Trilogy…Completed the books by Sunday and now feeling a big gapping emptiness wanting more…
I’m considering the movie-but don’t have anyone to see it with -no other Hunger Game enthusiast in my life 🙁
I’ll talk hunger games with you ANY time…go team Peeta..ahhhh 🙂
Hi there, I am one of those adult Harry Potter fanatics that you described!!! I have not yet read the Hunger Games but my daughter loved the books. I liked the movie thought and will probably read the books.
Lisa
http://www.lisagradessweinstein.blogspot.com
I am obsessed with The Hunger Games too. 🙂 I recently bought the DVD and intend to watch the movie again (I saw it when it came out back in March) two or three times because it is so good! And when I need a quick Hunger Games fix, I read a chapter or two of one of the books.
This might sound crazy but the character of Katniss is an inspiration to me. When I’m having a bad day or I’m struggling, I imagine what Katniss would do and try to face my problems with the same gritty courage that she does. Also, reading the books over and over in the spring of 2012 got me through the long, exhausting college commute when I had to take the train or the bus.
And I fully agree: Peeta is awesome! I need a guy like Peeta in my life.
I don’t think that’s crazy at all Serena! I think a WWKD (What Would Katniss Do) approach to life is a great one. That girl kicks ass! Just like you. I also pick up all my favourite books, looking to them for inspiration when I’m feeling blue. Glad to know I am not the only one!