The Hunger Games Summary

Hunger Games: A Full Summary



American writer Suzanne Collins’ bestseller The Hunger Games is a tragic novel situated in post-apocalyptic North America. The story is set in the nation of Panem where there are twelve poor districts that are controlled by the rich Capitol. There used to be a thirteenth district but when the people of that district revolted, the Capitol demolished it as an example. The Capitol created The Hunger Games as a way to control the people from the poorest districts: A barbaric game where one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 are selected from each district to fight to the death in an enormous stadium that is especially designed for the games. The selected adolescents are referred to as ‘tributes’ and the entire nation is forced to watch the reality-type game on television. The last person standing wins the game, as well as glory and resources for their district. 

The initial installment, The Hunger Games, acquaints us with our courageous hero, Katniss Everdeen. Katniss lives in a world governed by an autocracy (headed by President Snow in the Capitol), which has divided the nation into thirteen districts, twelve of which are still functioning. Each district is charged with supplying the Capitol with a different resource (textiles, agriculture, electronics, etc.). While the Capitol is a place of wealth and leisure the rest of the nation struggles to survive. Sixteen-year-old Katniss lives in District 12, the poorest district, and must illegally hunt and trap animals to help feed her family. When her younger sister Prim’s name is drawn as tribute in the lottery, Katniss knows that she can’t let her sister face the games so she volunteers to go in her place. Along with another young man named Peeta who is also selected as tribute from their district.

Ms. Collins has created a fantastical and incredibly realistic world in The Hunger Games. Her descriptive writing style and captivating characters absorb you into the world she’s created and it’s hard to put the books down until the very last page.

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