Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Ok, almost everything I said about the Hunger Games in the previous post can pretty much be applied to this post, in that I saw the movie first, I was listening to an audio book, the characters were already solidified in my mind so there was a bit of a disconnect between the reader's version and what was already in my head. Ok? We're good?

Ok.

So first up, I'm glad I listened to this book, as the beginning, and even a wee bit of the end, was quite a bit different from the movie version.

In Catching Fire, we catch up with Katniss and Peeta and their families, to find that after the last hunger games, things have gotten much worse across many of the districts. There is civil unrest in various districts, and their own district has had its lax Peacekeepers replaced by a seemingly tyrannical new lot. This is all due to the fact that Katniss and Peeta have become a symbol of rebellion since the last Hunger Games.

What I really enjoyed about this book, is that Katniss was very often self reflective about the new and evolving role she would now have to play as she and Peeta were once again conscripted into the third quarter quell of the Hunger Games. She would often find herself arguing internally with her thoughts as she would accept the role, then deny the role, and the justifications of each.

Another thing I really liked about this book, are the hints that were missing from the second movie. The whispers about district 13, the hints about the alliances arranged by Hamish in the games, and many other things that were not in the movie.

I really enjoyed this one, and can't wait until the next book becomes available from the library.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Ok, a couple of things, before I get into the review: First, I saw the movie version of this book a couple years ago, and I loved it! Secondly I didn't actually read this book; I listened to it as an audio book. I don't generally read a lot of fiction as I'm an incredibly slow reader, and if it is going to take me a month or two to read a book, I want to get both enjoyment and increased knowledge out of it. So I decided to get an audio book from our public library.

So now that I got that out of the way, let's get into the book. No, wait, let me just say one more thing. I want to talk about the difference between an audio book and a real book. You know, besides one being print and one being audio...kind of thought that would have been implied. Personally, while I found listening to audio to be a much quicker way to get through a book, I also found that listening to the author's words being read to you by a reader, rather than having the character's voices be imagined in your own mind can deliver quite a different experience.

I found that the reader would read the lines AS the character of the book. So Katniss Everdeen had a particular voice and cadence , and Rue would have a particular voice and lilt, and Hamish would have a particular voice. And I think that is where I had the biggest issue. Now this may be because I had already seen the movie, and the characters were already seeded into my imagination, but I found the voices she used didn't suit the characters. Hamish, played by Woody Harrelson in the movie, was a drunkard and an uncouth, short fused blow hard. But the way Harrelson played him in the movie, is the only way I can envision him now. I thought that the reader tried and failed to capture Hamish's personality. She slurred her words too much when in that character's voice, something I don't think a person with a 25 year drinking problem would have.

...just an opinion there.

Ok, back to the book review itself. No wait, one more thing. I have heard that there were tonnes of critics of the movie who had issues with Jennifer Lawrence playing Katniss as she wasn't thin enough, or they had issues with the movie being too different from the book. I won't get into the who Hollywood version of skinny vs reality thing, and I'm glad Jennifer Lawrence didn't bow to the pressures to become like all other actresses. But to that point, the book doesn't really talk about Katniss being this emaciated waif of a girl. Katniss was a skilled outdoorswoman and hunter, who kept her whole family stocked in meat, as well as catching enough game to trade on the black market. I don't picture Kantiss as small or emaciated. I envisioned her as strong, lean, and powerful. Now as for how closely the book and the movie resembled each other, except for a few changes to the ending, I thought the movie pretty much nailed the book!

Ok, now onto the review. Oh wait, we're out of time! Ok, long story short, I really enjoyed the book even though I watched the movie first. I'm currently listening to the second book now. Now if people want to complain about the differences between this book and the movie...well, I'll have to address those concerns after I listen to the book.

Secret River - Kate Grenville

In a nutshell

This is really a settler story with a bit of a twist.  It follows the life of William Thornhill, who was convicted of theft in London and originally sentenced to death.  As luck would have it, he was saved and sent to Australia to serve his time.  The book then explores how he and his family adjust to life in the new land.  In particular, Grenville comes to focus on Thornhill's relationship with the aboriginals.

Did I like it?

M'eh!  I' expected to love it as there had been so many good reviews, but I found the first part of the narrative quite conventional.  It was like I was reading every other book that I'd read about poverty in 19th century Britain.  It wasn't until Thornhill arrived in Australia and Grenville started to explore the intercultural dynamic that things got more interesting.  Thornhill's struggle with accepting versus dominating the local aboriginals was interesting and this is the strength of the Secret River.

Will you like it?

If you enjoy historical novels, Grenville is an excellent writer and it does provide some interesting insight into Australian hisotry, so may be worth picking up.

Overkill - Vanda Symon

In a nutshell

Set in the small town of Mataura on the South Island of New Zealand, this is in some ways a conventional murder mystery.  It opens with what seems to be a suicide, but the officer on the case (Sam Shephard) quickly determines that it was actually a murder.  As Sam begins to investigate, her superior officers soon decide that given her previous romantic relationship with the murder victim's husband that she may actually be a suspect.  Suspended from duty, Sam is left to her own devices to solve this case.

Did I like it?

I loved it!  Although I identified it as fairly conventional, that did not take away from the experience of reading this book at all.  I loved how Symon pulled in contemporary events to make the story topical.  In addition, Symon is fabulous at creating a sense of place (her later stories set in Dunedin are equally fabulous).  I felt like I was right there in small town New Zealand with the plucky heroine. 

Will you like it?

If you're looking for a really page turner with a sympathetic main character and a rip roaring plot, this is the book for you.  It's a book to take on vacation when you want something both readable and compelling, but that isn't too taxing.  It's also a great read for individuals wanting to get a feel for rural New Zealand.

What else happened while I was reading this book?

Another beautiful weekend accompanied by a lovely treat from Wellington's Cafe Polo.  'nough said.

Burial Rites by Hannah Kent

In a nutshell

Tells the story of the final days of an Icelandic woman (Agnes) who has been accused of murder and sentenced to death by beheading.  The story opens when a local family is told that they are obligated to house the murderess until her execution.  From here, author Hannah Kent explores the relationship between Agnes and the family, along with a local priest (who is supposed to prepare her for death).  Through these interactions and conversations, we eventually learn how Agnes came to be charged with murder and her eventual fate.

Did I like it?

I really enjoyed reading this book (admittedly, I do have a bit of a thing for Icelandic literature these days).  Interestingly though, it was actually the relationships that Agnes forms with the family and the priest that engaged me the most.  Somehow, learning how Anges came to be accused of murder had become superfluous to me.  Instead, I was intrigued by how these local Icelanders came to grow and understand Agnes through their time with her.  Initially, they saw her only as a murderess, but as time progressed and they inevitably got to know her, these relationships became more nuanced.  For them, Agnes had things to offer that were distinct from her "role" as a killer.

Will you like it?

Readers who like historical fiction will enjoy this depiction of Iceland in the 1800's.  Additionally, there is a compelling psychological element.  It is interesting to watch how perceptions shift as the novel progresses.  Finally, it's a bit of a page-turner, so will also engage the reader who likes an element of suspense in their literature.

What else happened while I was reading this book?

Beach day!!  Had a picnic up on the Kapiti coast last weekend, courtesy of the Long Beach Cafe (pizza, pizza) and the Old Beach Bakery (mmm...scones and donuts).  Lots going on at work and thrilled that weekend #2 has arrived.

The Heart Broke In - James Meek

In a nutshell

Told from the perspective of three main characters, whose lives are changed when one is asked to sacrifice another to save his own skin.  Sounds kind of interesting, right?

Did I like it?

M'eh - minus!  At first I was just ambivalent to this book, but gradually I grew to resent the time wasted on this book.  The characters were just unlikeable (from my perspective).  In fact, I'm loathe to spend much time even writing this blog entry.  Though perhaps it will serve as a helpful warning to others!

Will you like it?

If you like books that ask moral questions, you may enjoy this one.  Prepare, however, to engage with some fairly irritating characters.

What else happened while I was reading this book?

A quiet weekend that somehow passed very quickly.  Spent Sunday making these fab baked beans before enjoying a nice walk with les petit chiens.

The Language of Flowers - Vanessa Diffenbaugh

In a nutshell

Alternating between two points in time, this novel tells the story of a young girl who grew up in the foster care system.  We are introduced to the younger Victoria when she has found what is seemingly the perfect setup for her.  She lives at a vineyard and learns about the Victorian tradition of translating flowers into language (e.g., a thistle means mistrust).  However, the story progresses and Victoria's time with her foster mother Elizabeth is cut short.  Flash forward 8-ish years and Victoria has just turned 18 and is "set free" from the group home where she had been living.  After a short homeless stint, Victoria finds her niche at a florist's shop and is able to use the knowledge she learned from Elizabeth to blossom (pardon the pun) as a professional and also finds love.  However, she still harbours guilt over what happened with Elizabeth many years ago, leading to a myriad of bad decisions that make for a very interesting book.

Did I like it?

I loved it!  Diffenbaugh is a fantastic writer.  This book was compuslively readable and you really felt for Victoria as she grew up.  The language of flowers was an interesting twist that Diffenbaugh pulls in nicely.  This Victorian element seems completely at home in this modern text and I loved learning about the different meanings of the flowers.

Will you like it?

If you like strong, if troubled female characters, this may be the book for you.  While you have to be able to tolerate some darkness as Victoria's past isn't an easy one, it's well worth taking the journey with her. 

What else happened while I was reading this book?

Another long weekend (yay!).  Saw a great movie musical - Sunshine on Leith, which is based on the Proclaimer's songs.  Went on a great hike across the Skyline trail (beautiful views).  Finshed painting our kitchen (finally).  Bright and cheery indeed.