On Sept. 14, 2008, the genre of dystopian fiction was changed forever. The release of “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins saw immediate success among its demographic of young adult readers. The book takes place in a futuristic world in which society is separated into “districts” and forced to send children, known as tributes, to fight to the death in an annual event called the Hunger Games.
The series’ main character is a 16-year-old girl named Katniss Everdeen. The reader experiences the story from her point of view. In the first book, Katniss takes the place of her sister, Prim, who is chosen (or “reaped”) for the 74th Games. This alters the course of both Katniss’ life and the entire abusive regime of the governing body of Panem, the fictional country the story is set in.
Throughout the first book, the reader follows Katniss and her fellow District 12 tribute, Peeta Melark, as they undergo preparation for the Games. They are brought to the Capitol, a hub for the wealthiest citizens who are exempt from the Games. There, they are treated as celebrities, given stylists and are interviewed before being sent into the arena where only one of them will come out alive.
While in the arena, Katniss and Peeta have a difficult decision to make when they are the last two tributes remaining. In an act of defiance to the Capitol, they plan to take poisonous berries called Nightlock, which would leave the 74th Hunger Games without a victor. The gamemakers decide to let them both win, but at a severe cost.
The subsequent books titled “Catching Fire” and “Mockingjay” follow a revolutionary story in which the citizens of Panem come together to overthrow their corrupt government. The original trilogy was a main catalyst for the boom of the dystopian genre in the 2010s. The success of the series led to four movies that launched the franchise into another level of popularity. Headlined by A-list actors like Jennifer Lawrence and Liam Hemsworth, these films added to the cultural significance of the story.
Collins recently published two prequel novels, “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” and “Sunrise on the Reaping,” in 2020 and 2025, respectively. The release of these books ushered in a new generation of fans and expanded the world that Collins created within the original trilogy. These novels were also adapted for the screen with the former releasing in 2023 and the latter releasing next month.
It is not common for a series to survive, and even thrive, throughout multiple generations. Nearly two decades after the original trilogy was published, the prequel novels broke records previously seen from the series. What is it about this series that has not only stayed relevant, but grown in popularity as time has passed?
Part of the success of “The Hunger Games” is its characters. Throughout the three books, readers grow invested in the characters’ lives, and many see themselves reflected in some way. All of Collins’ characters are flawed individuals that come from different backgrounds, much like each of us. This detail allows readers to connect with the narratives more because they recognize that, although it takes place in a completely fictional setting, there is a human element to the story.
The world Collins built has also become something fans are deeply connected to. There are countless videos on the internet analyzing the layout and function of each of the districts. Discussion about the citizens and style of the Capitol is also popular among those that love this series. Some creators have pieced together information from each of the books to form a chronology of tributes and victors before the 74th games. The imagination and dedication of the fans of “The Hunger Games” is truly impressive.
The popularity of these books cannot be written about without acknowledging some readers’ impressions of the story as a warning sign. The dystopian genre did not start with “The Hunger Games,” but the release of this franchise certainly pushed it into the zeitgeist in a way it hadn’t been before. The harrowing story of a government designed around forcing its citizens to brutally compete to the death is, to some, a reminder of what happens when corruption infests those that are supposed to protect us.
The subsequent story of the underdog victory – not won without great suffering – then serves as encouragement to always fight for what is right. This is one of the most common story archetypes; bad guys have power and the good guys have to fight for righteousness and freedom. This narrative has been repackaged and told countless times in many other fictional works such as “Star Wars,” “Harry Potter” and “The Lord of the Rings,” but it is still just as impactful in “The Hunger Games.”