The Hunger Games (1 Viewer)

[playin4beer]

So we've got some folks arguing that the books are too adult for kids and others arguing that they're too youthful for adults.

Yep.. in a nutshell, that's it.

 

[shader]

Hunger games was a very good read. Plenty of adults love it.

It could have been written from an adults perspective, or even using a narrator, instead of a conflicted 16 year old girl, and it might have been even better.

The story is very adult.

That lends itself to possibly being a great movie series. We'll see in a few days.

 

[tdoss]

Frankly when I first started to read the Hunger Games I was shocked to find out that people were letting their children read these books as they are extraordinarily violent. Easily on a Battle Royale level of bloody and gruesome. I would not be happy to have my 12-13 year old be reading that kind of violent content. But I find that many parents are very permissive with their children and, IMO, often choose to follow the path of least resistance rather than making difficult choices that will cause the child to push back even a little bit.

Condescending much? My 11-year old son wanted to read the book, so I made the point of reading it first so that I had a full appreciation of the subject matter. Told my son at that point that he should wait to read it. A year later, when he was 12, he and I talked about it, and we agreed together that he could read it. Are there some violent sequences? Yes. But I deemed the book to be suitable for my son at that point (though not a year earlier) based on his development and maturity.

I agree with bigbottom. The concept of the book is violent, but it didn't come across as over-the-top gory. If anything, the love story would probably be tough for an 11 or 12 year old to understand. In a world where the Star Wars movies are marketed to kids less than 10, you'd have to be pretty arrogant to discourage a 13 year old from reading a book they might enjoy.

12-18 year olds hacking each other to bits with axes and swords. 24 entrants with 23 guaranteed to die. Blood rain and suffocating acid gas. Cyborg monkeys and reanimated were-corpses (no respect for the dead) tearing children to bits. The list goes on and on.None of that is over the top gory?

Damn dude, were you never a teenager? That's exactly the kinda stuff I'd love!Seriously...I don't get how, in just a few short years, people can forget how nasty, disgusting, vile and downright vicious they used to be as teens. To hear people tell it...we were all angels draped in cloth cut directly from the Lord's robes.I'm not saying you should encourage every deviant behavior but loosen up a bit. Damn.

 

[tdoss]

You never read Harry Potter either I imagine. It was a mostly excellent series of books.

OH COME ON!

No point in engaging you on this.

Sorry.What's your favorite Dragon Riders book?

Eragon?

Keep trying you'll get something eventually.

You think I'm fishing? All I'm saying is that I don't understand why adults read kid-lit.

For someone trying to be condescending to other's reading choices...you don't seem to have a grasp on comprehension too well yourself.It's only been said about a half dozen times and at least once on this page alone.We read it before giving it to our kids. I will read a brief synopsis of anything my kids want to read. If there's a hint of violence or romance...I'll read it to be sure it's ok for them.

 

[Sand]

God, I admire you......brah.

As you should.Shockingly, for all you post your participation in the book thread is non-existent. I'm stunned at this revelation.

 

[GoFishTN]

Gotta love guys that post on a board about playing pretend football giving other people a hard time about the books they read being juvenile.

 

[Chaka]

Frankly when I first started to read the Hunger Games I was shocked to find out that people were letting their children read these books as they are extraordinarily violent. Easily on a Battle Royale level of bloody and gruesome. I would not be happy to have my 12-13 year old be reading that kind of violent content. But I find that many parents are very permissive with their children and, IMO, often choose to follow the path of least resistance rather than making difficult choices that will cause the child to push back even a little bit.

Condescending much? My 11-year old son wanted to read the book, so I made the point of reading it first so that I had a full appreciation of the subject matter. Told my son at that point that he should wait to read it. A year later, when he was 12, he and I talked about it, and we agreed together that he could read it. Are there some violent sequences? Yes. But I deemed the book to be suitable for my son at that point (though not a year earlier) based on his development and maturity.

I agree with bigbottom. The concept of the book is violent, but it didn't come across as over-the-top gory. If anything, the love story would probably be tough for an 11 or 12 year old to understand. In a world where the Star Wars movies are marketed to kids less than 10, you'd have to be pretty arrogant to discourage a 13 year old from reading a book they might enjoy.

12-18 year olds hacking each other to bits with axes and swords. 24 entrants with 23 guaranteed to die. Blood rain and suffocating acid gas. Cyborg monkeys and reanimated were-corpses (no respect for the dead) tearing children to bits. The list goes on and on.None of that is over the top gory?

Damn dude, were you never a teenager? That's exactly the kinda stuff I'd love!Seriously...I don't get how, in just a few short years, people can forget how nasty, disgusting, vile and downright vicious they used to be as teens. To hear people tell it...we were all angels draped in cloth cut directly from the Lord's robes.I'm not saying you should encourage every deviant behavior but loosen up a bit. Damn.

Oh no, not at all. I said I was surprised people would let 12-13 year olds read it, not teenagers in general.Maybe I'm wrong maybe 12 years old is fine, maybe younger. To me it seemed quite violent in a graphic way for a 12 year old.

 

[tdoss]

Frankly when I first started to read the Hunger Games I was shocked to find out that people were letting their children read these books as they are extraordinarily violent. Easily on a Battle Royale level of bloody and gruesome. I would not be happy to have my 12-13 year old be reading that kind of violent content. But I find that many parents are very permissive with their children and, IMO, often choose to follow the path of least resistance rather than making difficult choices that will cause the child to push back even a little bit.

Condescending much? My 11-year old son wanted to read the book, so I made the point of reading it first so that I had a full appreciation of the subject matter. Told my son at that point that he should wait to read it. A year later, when he was 12, he and I talked about it, and we agreed together that he could read it. Are there some violent sequences? Yes. But I deemed the book to be suitable for my son at that point (though not a year earlier) based on his development and maturity.

I agree with bigbottom. The concept of the book is violent, but it didn't come across as over-the-top gory. If anything, the love story would probably be tough for an 11 or 12 year old to understand. In a world where the Star Wars movies are marketed to kids less than 10, you'd have to be pretty arrogant to discourage a 13 year old from reading a book they might enjoy.

12-18 year olds hacking each other to bits with axes and swords. 24 entrants with 23 guaranteed to die. Blood rain and suffocating acid gas. Cyborg monkeys and reanimated were-corpses (no respect for the dead) tearing children to bits. The list goes on and on.None of that is over the top gory?

Damn dude, were you never a teenager? That's exactly the kinda stuff I'd love!Seriously...I don't get how, in just a few short years, people can forget how nasty, disgusting, vile and downright vicious they used to be as teens. To hear people tell it...we were all angels draped in cloth cut directly from the Lord's robes.I'm not saying you should encourage every deviant behavior but loosen up a bit. Damn.

Oh no, not at all. I said I was surprised people would let 12-13 year olds read it, not teenagers in general.Maybe I'm wrong maybe 12 years old is fine, maybe younger. To me it seemed quite violent in a graphic way for a 12 year old.

It depends on the maturity of the kid. My son could read it at maybe even 11 or so...bit my daughter just has no interest in that sort of genre so she didn't see it until this year...she turns 13 this year.I did have my kids read "Lord of the Flies" before Hunger Games though. I wanted to talk with them and gauge their mentality before moving onto "The Road" and "Hunger Games".

 

[johnadams]

IIRC, we read Lord of the Flies at about that time for school. Is it more violent than that?

Hunger Games is more violent, but Lord of the Flies is thematically much richer. I think the problem some people have is that the voilence rarely escapes being low level comic book. In fact, most modern comic books are much richer that the Hunger Games. The books really aren't comparable on any level other than they center on children. I readily admit that I immensely enjoyed the first book, but kinda the same way I enjoy the occassional Big Mac. I know it's empty and devoid of any real nourishment, but sometimes, I just like my junk food. And that's what it is. Plot driven, interesting though shallow take on post apocalyptic society, with enough action to keep me interested. And it should make a pretty good plot driven action movie.

 

[Mario Kart]

Why do adults read kid-lit?Cause most of it is much better than adult lit.

It's more accessible and entertaining.. to a less developed mind.

interesting. You must love the 39 clues book stuff.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

Why do adults read kid-lit?Cause most of it is much better than adult lit.

It's more accessible and entertaining.. to a less developed mind.

interesting. You must love the 39 clues book stuff.

How's that kid doing that you don't have?

 

[SmoovySmoov]

God, I admire you......brah.

As you should.Shockingly, for all you post your participation in the book thread is non-existent. I'm stunned at this revelation.

Here's one you might like:The Mystery of Cabin Island

Frank and Joe Hardy really solved a doozy in this one. I found the words easy to understand, and at about 100 pages, it only took me 3-4 months. Right up your alley.

 

[Mario Kart]

How's that kid doing that you don't have?

You must live a sad and pathetic life to 1) be an iStalker and 2) to have iStalked me for the past ~7 years. I do hope you learn to grow up sometime soon.And, do not ever put me down or my family down again. Move along.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

How's that kid doing that you don't have?

You must live a sad and pathetic life to 1) be an iStalker and 2) to have iStalked me for the past ~7 years. I do hope you learn to grow up sometime soon.And, do not ever put me down or my family down again. Move along.

What kind of freak claims he has a kid but doesn't?

 

[Sand]

God, I admire you......brah.

As you should.Shockingly, for all you post your participation in the book thread is non-existent. I'm stunned at this revelation.

Here's one you might like:The Mystery of Cabin Island

Frank and Joe Hardy really solved a doozy in this one. I found the words easy to understand, and at about 100 pages, it only took me 3-4 months. Right up your alley.

I've put it into my wish list - I read it 30 years ago or so, but one can always use a refresher. As soon as I finish my current book (good book, BTW) I'll get right on it.

 

[Chaka]

God, I admire you......brah.

As you should.Shockingly, for all you post your participation in the book thread is non-existent. I'm stunned at this revelation.

Here's one you might like:The Mystery of Cabin Island

Frank and Joe Hardy really solved a doozy in this one. I found the words easy to understand, and at about 100 pages, it only took me 3-4 months. Right up your alley.

Glass houses and all that.

 

[byrshan]

Don't really see where all the criticism for people reading Hunger Games comes from. To me it is at least on the same literary level as any mass market author like James Patterson etc, the only difference being the protagonist is a teenager. If you want to criticize something like the Hunger Games, then you have to criticize half of the NY Best Sellers list and anyone who reads the majority of popular books today. Right now the top 10 is comprised of a trilogy of popcorn S&M for housewives, Nicolas Sparks cookie cutter romance, a Clive Cussler novel and the Dragon Tattoo series. None of those of any high literary regard and just have the distinction of not being classified as young adult. I read a decent amount of Cussler novels when I was a "young adult" and I can say with certainty for however juvenile Hunger Games is at times or is written, it is definitely more adult than any Cussler novel.

Also who really cares about the motivation behind someone reading the novel, whether for pure entertainment, to monitor their kids or just to see what all the fuss is about.

 

[Bengalsfan]

Gotta love guys that post on a board about playing pretend football giving other people a hard time about the books they read being juvenile.

Best comment right here!!By the way, I'm a 42 (on Sunday) year old guy, highly educated (2 masters degrees), and I enjoyed The Hunger Games and Harry Potter. I also enjoy pretend football and video games. I have no problems reading a book on the latest brain research and how my students learn and then turning around and reading about a teenage wizard or pretending I'm running my own football franchise or commanding my own starship.Looking forward to the movie this weekend.

 

[Thunderlips]

Gotta love guys that post on a board about playing pretend football giving other people a hard time about the books they read being juvenile.

Best comment right here!!By the way, I'm a 42 (on Sunday) year old guy, highly educated (2 masters degrees), and I enjoyed The Hunger Games and Harry Potter. I also enjoy pretend football and video games. I have no problems reading a book on the latest brain research and how my students learn and then turning around and reading about a teenage wizard or pretending I'm running my own football franchise or commanding my own starship.Looking forward to the movie this weekend.

Checkmate, Pretend Sports Nerds.

 

[Fennis]

I was wondering why this thread got to 4 pages. I guess I forgot I was in the FFA.

 

[prosopis]

I was wondering why this thread got to 4 pages. I guess I forgot I was in the FFA.

Holy crap, I saw four pages and wondered what was going on.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

God, I admire you......brah.

As you should.Shockingly, for all you post your participation in the book thread is non-existent. I'm stunned at this revelation.

Here's one you might like:The Mystery of Cabin Island

Frank and Joe Hardy really solved a doozy in this one. I found the words easy to understand, and at about 100 pages, it only took me 3-4 months. Right up your alley.

YOU WILL NEVER WALK ALONE.

 

[eoMMan]

I wonder how the rape scene will translate to the big screen.

 

[tommyboy]

Who cares about hunger games this thread just got interesting with pickles and Mario Kart

 

[bigbottom]

Who cares about hunger games this thread just got interesting with pickles and Mario Kart

Word

 

[SmoovySmoov]

God, I admire you......brah.

As you should.Shockingly, for all you post your participation in the book thread is non-existent. I'm stunned at this revelation.

Here's one you might like:The Mystery of Cabin Island

Frank and Joe Hardy really solved a doozy in this one. I found the words easy to understand, and at about 100 pages, it only took me 3-4 months. Right up your alley.

YOU WILL NEVER WALK ALONE.

Hurts me.

 

[Marvin]

Don't really see where all the criticism for people reading Hunger Games comes from. To me it is at least on the same literary level as any mass market author like James Patterson etc,

Where is the problem with this?

 

[flapgreen]

How's that kid doing that you don't have?

You must live a sad and pathetic life to 1) be an iStalker and 2) to have iStalked me for the past ~7 years. I do hope you learn to grow up sometime soon.And, do not ever put me down or my family down again. Move along.

What kind of freak claims he has a kid but doesn't?

That happened? Geez

 

[Dr. Awesome]

So the guy who writes essays on each episode of The Bachelor is belittling those who read a book?

 

[Mr. Pickles]

So the guy who writes essays on each episode of The Bachelor is belittling those who read a book?

"Essays" is giving me too much credit. It's a blog.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

So the guy who writes essays on each episode of The Bachelor is belittling those who read a book?

"Essays" is giving me too much credit. It's a blog.

It's more accessible and entertaining.. to a less developed mind.

But nevermind this. Let's get back to imaginary children.

 

[Mr. Pickles]

So the guy who writes essays on each episode of The Bachelor is belittling those who read a book?

"Essays" is giving me too much credit. It's a blog.

It's more accessible and entertaining.. to a less developed mind.

But nevermind this. Let's get back to imaginary children.

Know your audience.

 

[shader]

So the guy who writes essays on each episode of The Bachelor is belittling those who read a book?

 

[Sweet J]

Good god.

 

[Smarge]

For anyone still coming into this thread for Hunger Games discussion, my daughter and I got to see the movie early last night. It stayed very true to the book, with a few differences. A couple of which I didn't really like, but not all that important. Mostly just changes you typically see in a book adaptation. They have to squeeze things into the movie to help move the story along, while the book has the time to go into more detail. I thought Jennifer Lawrence was solid and Woody Harrelson was pretty good in his role.

I've only read the first book, while my daughter is through 2 and 1/2. I enjoyed the movie enough (especially for free), and she loved it. There is some violence and a bit of blood, so take that into consideration.

 

[eoMMan]

Blog on the Bachelor? WTF?

 

[Sweet J]

For anyone still coming into this thread for Hunger Games discussion, my daughter and I got to see the movie early last night. It stayed very true to the book, with a few differences. A couple of which I didn't really like, but not all that important. Mostly just changes you typically see in a book adaptation. They have to squeeze things into the movie to help move the story along, while the book has the time to go into more detail. I thought Jennifer Lawrence was solid and Woody Harrelson was pretty good in his role.I've only read the first book, while my daughter is through 2 and 1/2. I enjoyed the movie enough (especially for free), and she loved it. There is some violence and a bit of blood, so take that into consideration.

How old is your daughter?

 

[ODoyleRules]

For anyone still coming into this thread for Hunger Games discussion, my daughter and I got to see the movie early last night. It stayed very true to the book, with a few differences. A couple of which I didn't really like, but not all that important. Mostly just changes you typically see in a book adaptation. They have to squeeze things into the movie to help move the story along, while the book has the time to go into more detail. I thought Jennifer Lawrence was solid and Woody Harrelson was pretty good in his role.I've only read the first book, while my daughter is through 2 and 1/2. I enjoyed the movie enough (especially for free), and she loved it. There is some violence and a bit of blood, so take that into consideration.

How old is your daughter?

I initially read his post that his daughter was 2 1/2.

 

[AcerFC]

My wife just said just about every kid in her classes are going to midnight show tonight and not coming to school tomorrow

 

[Chaka]

I have been hearing very good things about the film from multiple different sources now.

 

[Marvin]

I just saw this blurb from a review:

Movie review: 'The Hunger Games'Jennifer Lawrence shines; Gary Ross' futuristic adventure drama is light years ahead of 'Twilight'

What the hell?

 

[Smarge]

For anyone still coming into this thread for Hunger Games discussion, my daughter and I got to see the movie early last night. It stayed very true to the book, with a few differences. A couple of which I didn't really like, but not all that important. Mostly just changes you typically see in a book adaptation. They have to squeeze things into the movie to help move the story along, while the book has the time to go into more detail. I thought Jennifer Lawrence was solid and Woody Harrelson was pretty good in his role.I've only read the first book, while my daughter is through 2 and 1/2. I enjoyed the movie enough (especially for free), and she loved it. There is some violence and a bit of blood, so take that into consideration.

How old is your daughter?

She's 12, 6th grade. I wouldn't let her read this a year or so ago. She's starting to mature and grow up over the last year or so, to the point I was comfortable that she could handle the material. They're actually talking about this book and other similar books in her English class this year. I read the book as well so we could discuss it.

 

[Smarge]

My wife just said just about every kid in her classes are going to midnight show tonight and not coming to school tomorrow

My daughter told me the same thing. No way I'd let my daughter skip a day of school to see a movie at midnight. Wait a day and go see it that night.

 

[playin4beer]

Went to the midnight showing with my 14yr old daughter and her friend..

I've read all 3 books and liked the first one very much. I was looking forward to the movie. That being said, I wasn't super impressed.

Maybe it's my lack of sleep, maybe it's because I was tired last night, maybe it's because I was still stewing about the MSU loss...

I thought it was "good".. just not "great". For one thing, I wanted to see more in depth things from the book. The movie seemed like a cliff note

version of the book. But on the other hand, I didn't want to watch a 4 hour movie and this one already dragged in places to me.

I didn't really connect with any of the characters and thought Woody made all of the other actors/actresses look like amateurs..

Just my

 

[shader]

Went to the midnight showing with my 14yr old daughter and her friend..

I've read all 3 books and liked the first one very much. I was looking forward to the movie. That being said, I wasn't super impressed.

Maybe it's my lack of sleep, maybe it's because I was tired last night, maybe it's because I was still stewing about the MSU loss...

I thought it was "good".. just not "great". For one thing, I wanted to see more in depth things from the book. The movie seemed like a cliff note

version of the book. But on the other hand, I didn't want to watch a 4 hour movie and this one already dragged in places to me.

I didn't really connect with any of the characters and thought Woody made all of the other actors/actresses look like amateurs..

Just my

What movie isn't a cliff notes version of the book?

 

[playin4beer]

Went to the midnight showing with my 14yr old daughter and her friend..

I've read all 3 books and liked the first one very much. I was looking forward to the movie. That being said, I wasn't super impressed.

Maybe it's my lack of sleep, maybe it's because I was tired last night, maybe it's because I was still stewing about the MSU loss...

I thought it was "good".. just not "great". For one thing, I wanted to see more in depth things from the book. The movie seemed like a cliff note

version of the book. But on the other hand, I didn't want to watch a 4 hour movie and this one already dragged in places to me.

I didn't really connect with any of the characters and thought Woody made all of the other actors/actresses look like amateurs..

Just my

What movie isn't a cliff notes version of the book?

I guess I was just expecting more....

 

[Idiot Boxer]

Went to the midnight showing with my 14yr old daughter and her friend..

I've read all 3 books and liked the first one very much. I was looking forward to the movie. That being said, I wasn't super impressed.

Maybe it's my lack of sleep, maybe it's because I was tired last night, maybe it's because I was still stewing about the MSU loss...

I thought it was "good".. just not "great". For one thing, I wanted to see more in depth things from the book. The movie seemed like a cliff note

version of the book. But on the other hand, I didn't want to watch a 4 hour movie and this one already dragged in places to me.

I didn't really connect with any of the characters and thought Woody made all of the other actors/actresses look like amateurs..

Just my

What movie isn't a cliff notes version of the book?

Where The Wild Things Are

 

[PIK95]

Went to the midnight showing with my 14yr old daughter and her friend..

I've read all 3 books and liked the first one very much. I was looking forward to the movie. That being said, I wasn't super impressed.

Maybe it's my lack of sleep, maybe it's because I was tired last night, maybe it's because I was still stewing about the MSU loss...

I thought it was "good".. just not "great". For one thing, I wanted to see more in depth things from the book. The movie seemed like a cliff note

version of the book. But on the other hand, I didn't want to watch a 4 hour movie and this one already dragged in places to me.

I didn't really connect with any of the characters and thought Woody made all of the other actors/actresses look like amateurs..

Just my

What movie isn't a cliff notes version of the book?

Where The Wild Things Are

 

[kupcho1]

Overall: Meh

I did, however, enjoy Stanley Tucci's performance.

 

[parrot]

Went to the midnight showing with my 14yr old daughter and her friend..

I've read all 3 books and liked the first one very much. I was looking forward to the movie. That being said, I wasn't super impressed.

Maybe it's my lack of sleep, maybe it's because I was tired last night, maybe it's because I was still stewing about the MSU loss...

I thought it was "good".. just not "great". For one thing, I wanted to see more in depth things from the book. The movie seemed like a cliff note

version of the book. But on the other hand, I didn't want to watch a 4 hour movie and this one already dragged in places to me.

I didn't really connect with any of the characters and thought Woody made all of the other actors/actresses look like amateurs..

Just my

What movie isn't a cliff notes version of the book?

Forrest Gump.