READ THIS
Kit and I have one thing in common – we
love books, although we come at them
from very different directions: she loves
fantasy, comic books and ‘feel-good’
works whereas I like the classics and
anything that reflects real life. I hope my
summary doesn’t give the wrong
impression: what we both demand above
all else is excellent writing.
When Kit came home for Christmas she
was raving about a new author she’d
found, Suzanne Collins, who had written a
series of three books called, collectively,
‘The Hunger Games’. The story concerns
a futuristic America where the totalitarian
Government, to punish the descendants of
rebels, requires each district to provide two
participants for The Hunger Games, a
staged fight-to-the-death survival experience
over several weeks (a little bit like ‘I’m a
celebrity, get me out of here’, only they have
to kill each other).
Kit’s description reminded me of a story
called ‘The Long Walk’ by Stephen King,
(writing under the name of Richard
Bachman) about a competition for fit
young men to complete a marathon walk
or die in the attempt. Although I read it 20
years ago, I have never forgotten it and
often recommend it. I pressured her into
reading it while she was home.
My Christmas present from Kit turned out
to be ‘The Hunger Games’ – also the name
of the first book of the series. No pressure
12
there, then. I found it gripping.
We read avidly over the next few days. Kit
had to take time off occasionally because
although she was enjoying it, she found
Stephen King quite dark, albeit not as
scary as she was expecting from his
reputation. I, on the other hand, raced
through my book, and rushed out when the
shops re-opened to get the other two in the
series.
I believe there is to be a film shortly.
Although it’s really aimed at teens, and it’s
a long while since I was a teenager, I loved
the story. If it doesn’t appeal to you, give
‘The Long Walk’ a go. Stephen may
surprise you.
Jill Buss
The Hunger Games
Catching Fire
Mockingjay
By Suzanne Collins
Published by Scholastic UK
The Long Walk
By Stephen King, writing as Richard
Bachman (Various editions)
GOING UP!
An Amish boy and his father were paying
their first visit to a shopping mall.
They were amazed by almost everything