In which Venia of aqua hair and gold eyebrow tattoos, Flavius of orange corkscrews, and Octavia of pea green skin--all of whom speak with a high-pitched, closed-jaw, hissed-S, odd voweled, clipped-word, question-asking affectation that is impossible not to mimic--remove every hair from Katniss except her eyebrows and fancy braided 'do. Enter Cinna (CINNA!), a simply dressed, naturally haired, quiet fellow with just a hint of gold eyeliner. This is Cinna's first games, and he wants to rock it (quietly).
Their table opens up and lunch appears, followed by what is probably my favorite passage in this entire book: when Katniss describes trying to recreate the meal of creamy chicken with orange over grain with peas, rolls shaped like flowers, and pudding. "Days of hunting and gathering for this one meal and even then it would be a poor substitution for the Capitol version." That whole description of trading squirrels for bread, and substituting goat's milk and turkey, y'all, that is some deft writing.
Anyhoo, Katniss gets into her outfit: black unitard up to the neck, shiny leather boots up the knees, fluttering cape and FIRE. Katniss, the girl who was on fire. Cinna and Portia are geniuses. (Genusi? Whatever. I want to wear fire.) Peeta appears in the same outfit, and they hold hands (at Cinna's suggestion) as they parade in their chariot around the circle of crazed Capitol onlookers. They are clearly crowd favorites. Even in front of President Snow's mansion, they are getting the most camera time.
Back inside the training center, the couple-on-fire are the center of all the attention and hubub, which draws dirty looks from all the other tributes. When Peeta compliments Katniss, she realizes he is just buttering her up, and she kisses his bruise to play the game right back, which SPOILER KIND OF maybepossiblyperhaps could be misinterpreted.
Katniss, you wily woman! Always strategizing.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Hunger Games Chapter 4
In which Peeta cleans Haymitch off and Katniss is worried because he is kind. She, in turn, throws the cookies from his father out the window and vows to have nothing more to do with him.
Flashback to the dandelion: Katniss remembers she can eat them, takes Prim out to discover other plants to eat, and gains the confidence to hunt alone and trade in the hob alone, too. The butcher, Peeta's father, the head Peacekeeper, and the mayor were all customers. She finds Katniss (which I totally want to eat, now, by the way), and she also starts taking home her monthly tesserae. Her mother slowly recovers. Katniss is glad she didn't drown the cat (I love this detail).
Back to the present: Katniss sees lights from another (unknown) district from the train. She throws her clothes on the floor, sleeps without crying, gets up and puts the same clothes on again, and leaves her hair in the braided style her mother did up. Katniss has her first hot chocolate, and it's true love. I also love the detail that she only tasted an orange once, because her father bought one one New Year's as a treat. One orange for four people, guys. I have a whole bowlful sitting right here. I'm the worst sort of capitol people! I dye my hair and can't hunt and throw food away! Aaaghh. Okay, back to Katniss. Haymitch is having the breakfast of champions, and Peeta throws it across the room. Haymitch punches Peeta! Nice. Katniss stabs her knife into the table near his hand, then throws it across the room. Haymitch leaves them with the advice not to protest their stylists' ideas.
SC slips details like this in all over: The mountains form a natural barrier between the Capitol and the eastern districts. It's almost impossible to enter the capitol except through tunnels. During the rebellion 74 years ago, rebels had to scale them and were picked off by capitol air forces.
Peeta starts working the crowd outside the train, and Katniss realizes he's doing it all on purpose, already trying to survive. Which also means trying to kill her.
DUN DUN DUN. Happy Independence Day, everyone! I hope you're all traveling freely, riding in cars, and eating all the oranges you want!
Flashback to the dandelion: Katniss remembers she can eat them, takes Prim out to discover other plants to eat, and gains the confidence to hunt alone and trade in the hob alone, too. The butcher, Peeta's father, the head Peacekeeper, and the mayor were all customers. She finds Katniss (which I totally want to eat, now, by the way), and she also starts taking home her monthly tesserae. Her mother slowly recovers. Katniss is glad she didn't drown the cat (I love this detail).
Back to the present: Katniss sees lights from another (unknown) district from the train. She throws her clothes on the floor, sleeps without crying, gets up and puts the same clothes on again, and leaves her hair in the braided style her mother did up. Katniss has her first hot chocolate, and it's true love. I also love the detail that she only tasted an orange once, because her father bought one one New Year's as a treat. One orange for four people, guys. I have a whole bowlful sitting right here. I'm the worst sort of capitol people! I dye my hair and can't hunt and throw food away! Aaaghh. Okay, back to Katniss. Haymitch is having the breakfast of champions, and Peeta throws it across the room. Haymitch punches Peeta! Nice. Katniss stabs her knife into the table near his hand, then throws it across the room. Haymitch leaves them with the advice not to protest their stylists' ideas.
SC slips details like this in all over: The mountains form a natural barrier between the Capitol and the eastern districts. It's almost impossible to enter the capitol except through tunnels. During the rebellion 74 years ago, rebels had to scale them and were picked off by capitol air forces.
Peeta starts working the crowd outside the train, and Katniss realizes he's doing it all on purpose, already trying to survive. Which also means trying to kill her.
DUN DUN DUN. Happy Independence Day, everyone! I hope you're all traveling freely, riding in cars, and eating all the oranges you want!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Hunger Games Chapter 3
In which Katniss and Peeta are whisked inside the Judicial Building to say their goodbyes. She resolves not to cry, ever-mindful of the cameras. She recognizes the velvet on the couch because her mother used to have a dress with a velvet collar. Katniss talks to her family as though she's the adult, telling them how to stay alive after she's gone. She yells at her mother, telling her not to become debilitatingly depressed again, and her mother says she's on meds now. Katniss promises Prim she will really, really try to come home. Peeta's father comes in, bringing cookies. He's much nicer than his horrid wife, and says he'll keep an eye on Prim.
Next up, Madge: she brings Katniss a token from their district, a pin, and gives her a kiss on the cheek. Last, Gale arrives. He goes over some strategy with Katniss, and we find out about some past games. One year there were only maces for weapons, one year only boulders and scruffy bushes, one year there was no wood to burn. Gale is removed from the room, shouting, "Katniss, remember I--" and that's it. In my opinion, he was declaring his undying love for her and her family, but maybe that's too obvious. What do you think he was yelling?
SO, Katniss rides in a car for the first time, to the train. She remembers Johanna Mason, who faked that she was weak, and then won the whole games. She thinks Peeta might go this way, but then thinks he's too big. The train can cover 250 miles an hour, and we find out that the Capitol was built in what was once known as "the Rockies" and that District 12 is in what was known as Appalachia (does anyone else have an urge to sing Loretta Lynn
?). If that's accurate, my magical map thing and time converter says it should take them somewhere around 6 hours to arrive, cutting through states formerly known as Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado.
We also find out that Katniss doesn't pay attention to the account of what happened during the rebellion (curses!). Katniss has her first hot shower, and we find out the background of the mockingjay, "a slap in the face of the capitol." Her father loved them, and he had a lovely singing voice which he used to interact with the hybrid birds. Katniss hates on Effie a little, eating with her hands, and eats lots of delicious things. They watch the reapings. A" monstrous boy" volunteers for District 2, a fox-faced girl is picked from District 5, a crippled boy from 10. And a lovely Prim-alike from 11. Everyone laughs about Haymitch, and his comic timing is perfect.
Next up, Madge: she brings Katniss a token from their district, a pin, and gives her a kiss on the cheek. Last, Gale arrives. He goes over some strategy with Katniss, and we find out about some past games. One year there were only maces for weapons, one year only boulders and scruffy bushes, one year there was no wood to burn. Gale is removed from the room, shouting, "Katniss, remember I--" and that's it. In my opinion, he was declaring his undying love for her and her family, but maybe that's too obvious. What do you think he was yelling?
SO, Katniss rides in a car for the first time, to the train. She remembers Johanna Mason, who faked that she was weak, and then won the whole games. She thinks Peeta might go this way, but then thinks he's too big. The train can cover 250 miles an hour, and we find out that the Capitol was built in what was once known as "the Rockies" and that District 12 is in what was known as Appalachia (does anyone else have an urge to sing Loretta Lynn
?). If that's accurate, my magical map thing and time converter says it should take them somewhere around 6 hours to arrive, cutting through states formerly known as Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, and Colorado.We also find out that Katniss doesn't pay attention to the account of what happened during the rebellion (curses!). Katniss has her first hot shower, and we find out the background of the mockingjay, "a slap in the face of the capitol." Her father loved them, and he had a lovely singing voice which he used to interact with the hybrid birds. Katniss hates on Effie a little, eating with her hands, and eats lots of delicious things. They watch the reapings. A" monstrous boy" volunteers for District 2, a fox-faced girl is picked from District 5, a crippled boy from 10. And a lovely Prim-alike from 11. Everyone laughs about Haymitch, and his comic timing is perfect.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Hunger Games Chapter 2
Wow, that was some heady stuff yesterday! You people are ess-em-ay-ar-teee! I'm proud of you guys! Also, we had over 125 hits yesterday! How thrilling! So, on with the good stuff:
PRIM! NOOOoooooo.
First, I love that SC lets it sink in for a while that PRIM was called. This really exaggerates how it must feel to Katniss that time has stopped.
PRIM! NOOOoooooo.
First, I love that SC lets it sink in for a while that PRIM was called. This really exaggerates how it must feel to Katniss that time has stopped.
So, this chapter is MAJOR. Right? Katniss volunteers for her sister, which hasn’t been done in decades. The mayor tells Effie to dispense with the formalities and get on with it. The audience remains silent and puts the three fingers of their left hands to their lips and holds them out to Katniss, an old and rarely used gesture of their district meaning respect and thanks and admiration. Haymitch causes a scene. Haymitch equals love.
Stocky, wavy-blond-haired Peeta Mellark, the baker’s son, is called as the boy tribute. (Did Gale buy the morning bread from him?) Katniss feels awkward around him, because when she was starving to death after her father died, in a desperate moment trying to keep herself and Prim out of the community house, she went through his family’s garbage, which he saw, so he (accidentally-on-purpose, maybe) burned some bread to throw out into the garden for her. His moms gave him a black eye for that little stunt. Ever since then, she’s wished she could thank him, and also sees him sneaking peeks at her in school. He saved her life and now she has to kill him.
Riveting! Did you see any of this coming? Who read ahead, besides Sarah who read ahead the entire book? Be honest! And notice a new feature a the top left: a poll! I'll be changing this whenever the mood strikes, so be sure to cast your votes so we can capture your opinions for future generations!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Hunger Games Chapter 1
Here we go, eeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
In which I freak out over the amount of detail imparted in the very first paragraph. In five sentences, we learn that the main character shares a bed with her sister, that it's cold and rough (and therefore they are probably poor) and that their mother sleeps alone. We also learn that something called the reaping is causing Prim to have nightmares. Man, I'll have to remember this paragraph to share with aspiring authors. Okay, off with the editor hat and on with the fangirl fedora!
As I begin to read, though, I realize something of technique. What I want to do is post the entire chapter and talk about how much I love each sentence and why. I see now, though, that I'll have to go sit in a room without a computer or pen, read the designated chapter, and then distill it down to the important parts. You're all reading along, you can see what's great. I will try to hit the main points of each chapter, and leave the discussion wide open.
But still, the amount of information we get in this one chapter is astounding.
Okay: do-over. Chapter one, in which we meet Katniss Everdeen, her sister Prim who she describes as the only person she's sure she loves, her mother who used to be a Merchant with fancy dresses working in an apothecary, Galewho is the only person I'm sure I love who is Katniss's hunting partner and who wants to run away into the woods with her. (They've been hunting together for 4 years, and Gale is two years older than now-sixteen Katniss.) We also meet Madge who is Katniss's only friend, and whose father is the mayor of District 12 (who also eats illegal strawberries that he buys at his own back door from Katniss herself).
Katniss and Gale hunt successfully every day, totally illegally, but the Peacekeepers seem to turn a blind eye, because they benefit from the hunting, too. District 12 has a high, chain-link fence around it (how big is it?) which is supposed to be electrified, but usually isn't, and has many loose places to get through, into the woods beyond.
We find out about the Hob (anyone know why this is so named? I'm sure it's not the House of Blues...), the black market in District 12. District 12 is one of (now) twelve districts which surround the Capitol in former North America, now called Panem. (I was lucky enough to hear the author say this name came from panem et circenses, or bread and circuses, a metaphor for petty handouts and amusements given out by politicians to gain the public's favor.) 74 years ago, there were the Dark Days, in which the districts all rebelled, and were quashed by the capitol (especially poor District 13, which is gone). The Hunger Games were established as a way for the Capitol to remind the districts that they have absolute control. But between the strawberry loving mayor and the Peacekeepers in the Hob, and the not-electrified fence full of holes, District 12 seems to be a bit lax.
We learn that in exchange for wheat and oil (enough for one person) a potential reap-ee can enter their name any number of times in the annual drawing for the Hunger Games. Gale has entered his name 42 times, Katniss has 20 entries, Prim has one, and Madge has (maybe) 5. Katniss says there are thousands of slips, which means that, if we take the average of the four known, each kid in District 12 is entered approximately 17 times. Which also means there are at least a couple hundred people in District 12 between the ages of 12 and 18. Fascinating!
A couple more things: Prim has a goat named Lady, from which she collects milk and makes cheese. Gale brought bread to their meeting, which he got from the baker, and which they only eat on special occasions. Katniss's dad worked in the coal mine, and was blown to pieces in a mining accident. The district is divided among Merchants and the Seam (the bed of coal that can be mined).
As for the games themselves: Haymitch Abernathy is the only living tribute from District 12 (there was one other, ever). He's a complete drunk (Yay-mitch!) Effie Trinket is the District 12 hostess. She is angling for a better district, and wears a pink wig. Most importantly, we learn that Prim's name has been called.(Noooooooooooooooo!)
Did I miss anything? Were you able to stop after just one chapter? My teacher hat isn't going on this morning. (durn Shakespeare kept me up too late!) Discuss amongst yourselves. I'm going to go get some goat cheese and blackberries.
In which I freak out over the amount of detail imparted in the very first paragraph. In five sentences, we learn that the main character shares a bed with her sister, that it's cold and rough (and therefore they are probably poor) and that their mother sleeps alone. We also learn that something called the reaping is causing Prim to have nightmares. Man, I'll have to remember this paragraph to share with aspiring authors. Okay, off with the editor hat and on with the fangirl fedora!
As I begin to read, though, I realize something of technique. What I want to do is post the entire chapter and talk about how much I love each sentence and why. I see now, though, that I'll have to go sit in a room without a computer or pen, read the designated chapter, and then distill it down to the important parts. You're all reading along, you can see what's great. I will try to hit the main points of each chapter, and leave the discussion wide open.
But still, the amount of information we get in this one chapter is astounding.
Okay: do-over. Chapter one, in which we meet Katniss Everdeen, her sister Prim who she describes as the only person she's sure she loves, her mother who used to be a Merchant with fancy dresses working in an apothecary, Gale
Katniss and Gale hunt successfully every day, totally illegally, but the Peacekeepers seem to turn a blind eye, because they benefit from the hunting, too. District 12 has a high, chain-link fence around it (how big is it?) which is supposed to be electrified, but usually isn't, and has many loose places to get through, into the woods beyond.
We find out about the Hob (anyone know why this is so named? I'm sure it's not the House of Blues...), the black market in District 12. District 12 is one of (now) twelve districts which surround the Capitol in former North America, now called Panem. (I was lucky enough to hear the author say this name came from panem et circenses, or bread and circuses, a metaphor for petty handouts and amusements given out by politicians to gain the public's favor.) 74 years ago, there were the Dark Days, in which the districts all rebelled, and were quashed by the capitol (especially poor District 13, which is gone). The Hunger Games were established as a way for the Capitol to remind the districts that they have absolute control. But between the strawberry loving mayor and the Peacekeepers in the Hob, and the not-electrified fence full of holes, District 12 seems to be a bit lax.
We learn that in exchange for wheat and oil (enough for one person) a potential reap-ee can enter their name any number of times in the annual drawing for the Hunger Games. Gale has entered his name 42 times, Katniss has 20 entries, Prim has one, and Madge has (maybe) 5. Katniss says there are thousands of slips, which means that, if we take the average of the four known, each kid in District 12 is entered approximately 17 times. Which also means there are at least a couple hundred people in District 12 between the ages of 12 and 18. Fascinating!
A couple more things: Prim has a goat named Lady, from which she collects milk and makes cheese. Gale brought bread to their meeting, which he got from the baker, and which they only eat on special occasions. Katniss's dad worked in the coal mine, and was blown to pieces in a mining accident. The district is divided among Merchants and the Seam (the bed of coal that can be mined).
As for the games themselves: Haymitch Abernathy is the only living tribute from District 12 (there was one other, ever). He's a complete drunk (Yay-mitch!) Effie Trinket is the District 12 hostess. She is angling for a better district, and wears a pink wig. Most importantly, we learn that Prim's name has been called.(Noooooooooooooooo!)
Did I miss anything? Were you able to stop after just one chapter? My teacher hat isn't going on this morning. (durn Shakespeare kept me up too late!) Discuss amongst yourselves. I'm going to go get some goat cheese and blackberries.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tomorrow, Tomorrow, I Love Ya, Tomorrow
That's right folks, it's only a day away! Tomorrow morning, bright and early, I'll post the post for the first chapter of The Hunger Games, and a lively discussion will (hopefully) follow in the comments section throughout the day. Post reactions, questions, thoughts about how much you love Prim's goat, whatever comes to mind. I'm going to try very hard not to lead opinions, so feel free to call me out if (when) I do it. And just so you know ahead of time, I'm a Gale Gal all the way.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
The Power of Three
One week to go! I can hardly contain myself!
Here's something very interesting, y’all. Both Hunger Games and Catching Fire are 27 chapters. Furthermore, they are both three sections. FurtherMOST, each section is 9 chapters. So if Mockingjay divides up this same way, and I’m assuming it will, that means that we will have three books of three sections. 9 sections of 9 chapters each. 81 chapters. What does it all mean? Uh, that Suzanne Collins likes threes? It’s an homage to Diana Wynne Jones's Power of Three
? Maybe she likes to set limits to each section to keep her writing snug? Beginning, middle, end. Or is it something even more significant to the story? 24 tributes, also divisible by three. 12 districts, divisible by three. Quarter Quell (75th annual Hunger Games) divisible by three. Three people in Katniss’s family. Three people in a love-triangle. Three people on Katniss’s prep team (not counting the singular Cinna). 3.0=Haymtich’s blood alcohol level. WHAT ELSE? Am I missing something obvious? Am I way overthinking this?
Also, it seems that we are going to have several first-time readers. So I just want to ask everyone to please do your best not to include spoilers, and if you do, give a big heads up. Think of it this way: with no spoilers, it will be like we're all reading this for the first time!
Here's something very interesting, y’all. Both Hunger Games and Catching Fire are 27 chapters. Furthermore, they are both three sections. FurtherMOST, each section is 9 chapters. So if Mockingjay divides up this same way, and I’m assuming it will, that means that we will have three books of three sections. 9 sections of 9 chapters each. 81 chapters. What does it all mean? Uh, that Suzanne Collins likes threes? It’s an homage to Diana Wynne Jones's Power of Three
? Maybe she likes to set limits to each section to keep her writing snug? Beginning, middle, end. Or is it something even more significant to the story? 24 tributes, also divisible by three. 12 districts, divisible by three. Quarter Quell (75th annual Hunger Games) divisible by three. Three people in Katniss’s family. Three people in a love-triangle. Three people on Katniss’s prep team (not counting the singular Cinna). 3.0=Haymtich’s blood alcohol level. WHAT ELSE? Am I missing something obvious? Am I way overthinking this?Also, it seems that we are going to have several first-time readers. So I just want to ask everyone to please do your best not to include spoilers, and if you do, give a big heads up. Think of it this way: with no spoilers, it will be like we're all reading this for the first time!
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