Why has this book for young adults been so phenomenally successful?
The idea of futuristic gladiators duelling to the death has been done before plenty of times. Perhaps it's because the current generation of readers has grown up with reality TV. The barbaric televised spectacle of the HUNGER GAMES is the logical extension of programs such as "Survivor" and "Big Brother" - a game show where elimination means death and the "surprise intruder" is more likely to be a savage beast than some B-grade celebrity.

Teenage readers who navigate the schoolyard every day better understand the concept of survival of the fittest. You can understand why they'd idolise the book's central character, Katniss Everdeen - a brave, resourceful misfit. Katniss, played by the magnificent Jennifer Lawrence (Winter's Bone), lives in poverty-stricken District 12. She takes care of her younger sister Primrose (Willow Shields) and widowed mother (Paula Malcomson), hunting for game in the nearby woods with her bow and arrows, alongside her friend Gale (Australian Liam Hemsworth).

By the time the teens are let loose in a forest to murder each other, the story's satire of American life is clear. A society where one in 24 might become rich and famous at the expense of the rest is a tyranny. As Donald Sutherland's sinister presidential figure remarks, a thread of hope maintains the system - as long as there's not too much hope.

THE HUNGER GAMES is rousing, thought-provoking entertainment and one of the best films of the year so far.

Sun Herald
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