Muqtada
Scribe
I read the books on the suggestion of my sister (and afterwards read Battle Royale, so there). I thought the first and third book of the series were pretty good, although I'd probably still say the first book was my favorite of the series. Haven't seen the movie yet, but my friends who have said they weren't too impressed.
I've heard a lot of argument about the 'oppressive government' angle, and I've been surprised because that's not really what I took away from the book anyway. In the majority of fantasy or sci-fi books I've read, the establishment is oppressive is some way because that just makes a better story. What hooked me was the premise of 24 go in, one comes out. Add to that that the dude likes the girl, knows the girl doesn't like him, and still works to try to have her survive (willing to forfeit his life for someone who doesn't care about him) was a vein of characterization gold, and working in the reality show aspect of it was a wonderful idea.
To me it was more a message of how if we see something on tv we can separate ourselves from the reality of the scenario. This applies to reality tv shows in america--if you met someone who acted like that on the street you'd be appalled, but somehow putting them on television it's okay?
Anyway, my two cents, a tournament of fighting to the death is awesome
I've heard a lot of argument about the 'oppressive government' angle, and I've been surprised because that's not really what I took away from the book anyway. In the majority of fantasy or sci-fi books I've read, the establishment is oppressive is some way because that just makes a better story. What hooked me was the premise of 24 go in, one comes out. Add to that that the dude likes the girl, knows the girl doesn't like him, and still works to try to have her survive (willing to forfeit his life for someone who doesn't care about him) was a vein of characterization gold, and working in the reality show aspect of it was a wonderful idea.
To me it was more a message of how if we see something on tv we can separate ourselves from the reality of the scenario. This applies to reality tv shows in america--if you met someone who acted like that on the street you'd be appalled, but somehow putting them on television it's okay?
Anyway, my two cents, a tournament of fighting to the death is awesome