Afraid to See The Hunger Games
I know I’m going to see it. Probably this weekend. But I’m afraid. The book disturbed me so much when I first read it that I’m reluctant to put myself through that again. That’s the main reason why I’m afraid to go: true pure cowardice.
The second reason is my fear of erasure. When I see a film version of a book I love, it superimposes images over the powerful, individual ones I have imagined, and they are erased forever. I can’t find my own vision of Hermione’s face or wild, bushy hair anymore. Wilbur and Charlotte no longer have their own, true plaintive and soothing voices. Edward Cullen, alas, is nothing like my own mesmerizing, smooth-voiced, vulnerable Edward Cullen anymore. I know the exchange can be worth it, as in the case of the dining hall at Hogwarts, which is even more magical in the film than it was in my mind, but even there, I’ve surrendered my own imagination to the common, shared vision of every other movie-goer.
I see Katniss as a skinny, scrappy, dirt-covered kid with a Southern accent. Her attitude is in her stance, and in the inner workings of her mind with all those quick-thinking fragments and decisions. I lived her perspective through the first-person narrative of the novel, and I still feel her loneliness and determination, her love for Prim and Rue. Suzanne wrote the book, but once I read it, Katniss and Peeta became mine, in the way only I absorb book characters. I can’t easily give them up in exchange for the Hollywood versions. So far, I’ve avoided watching any trailers, except for one that came up on TV during Modern Family last night, which both fascinated me and made me cringe. So far, the book experience is still pure. Mine.
So why will I go to the film? Curiosity will take me, plus trust that I’ll be truly entertained, and the little kid feeling of not wanting to be left behind. My son has seen it already, and my husband wants to go with me. I can’t choose to be blind to a major phenomenon that is reflecting and shaping my culture right now, either.
So I’ll go. Don’t mind me if I get a little moody and difficult in the aftermath.
11 Responses to Afraid to See The Hunger Games
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Book Trailer for Promised
I would love to comment but I don’t want to ruin anything. However, those were my exact thoughts beforehand as well.
Can’t wait for Promised!! Any way we can bump up that release? 🙂
How incredibly true. I know exactly how you feel, Aunt Caragh. That’s why I always try to draw my versions of the characters before seeing the movies.
I don’t see how Hunger Games disturbed you that much!? What disturbed me was a pregnant women being hung and Gaia gutting her on a table to try to save the baby…oh and of course the incest. Battle does not disturb me nearly as much as all of that did. I am still going to give the second book a try though.
Interesting commentary, Caragh. I thought many things while reading “The Hunger Games”. Some of what I found myself thinking was that it had similarities to “Birthmarked”. Most notably the separation of wealth and power between the ruling class and the ruled, but also the grimness of daily survival, and of course, a young female protagonist who discovers she had more strength than she ever imagined.
I picture Katniss as a young, underweight teen with hair in desperate need of washing and brushing, wearing worn and patched clothing. She surprisingly compassionate and a caregiver – which also reminded me of Gaia.
I haven’t seen the movie yet either. Maybe this weekend. My dilemma is that I don’t want to read the second book before seeing the movie, but my daughter has to return the second book next week.
hunger games is amazing!!! i watched it at watchthehungergames-online.com 🙂
Susan ~ I’ve seen it now, and I’m having the same urge to blurt out spoilers. We have such noble restraint. You’re funny about bumping up Promised. At least the wait is shorter than it was for Prized.
Mo ~ I actually thought of drawing the characters, too, but I knew I couldn’t do what I had in my head. My images weren’t erased after all, though, because the actress looked so little like how I imagined Katniss. She was great, I thought, but different.
Elaine ~ Definitely there are different types of disturbing. Much in Birthmarked and Prized disturbed me, too! They were the sorts of problems that trouble me, and that’s why I wrote about them.
Jeff ~ My image of Katniss is very much like yours. For your Book 2 dilemma, can’t you just borrow it a second time, later? The movie is definitely worth the trip.
Natasha ~ I liked it, too. I think the film makers made good choices, and it makes sense to me that Suzanne co-wrote the screenplay. I’m rereading the book now and enjoying it anew.
Thanks for all the comments, everybody!
All best,
Caragh
I just bought “Birthmarked” and “Prized” and am eagerly awaiting them, every day checking my mailbox. I saw “The Hunger Games” movie before I read the book. I tend to do this. I’ve done this with other book/movies as well. It’s always such a nice surprise to read the book afterwards, which are always so much better than a movie I already love. And much safer than doing it the other way around. Although, the strange thing is – by “Cathing Fire” the image of Katniss had changed in my mind. She was just different, tougher, skinnier, more dirty/messed up. I’ve decided to think of them as two separate things. Peeta’s image from the movie remained, though. JH was such a perfect choice. As much as I love Jennifer Lawrence, and think she was superb as Katniss, I can’t help thinking of her as a bit different in the books. Now I’m super excited to see who they’ll cast as Finnick Odair 🙂 And still, eagerly awaiting the books to arrive!
Anyway. Love your blog!
Kristina
Oslo, Norway
Kristina ~ It’s interesting how your image of Katniss evolved by Catching Fire, almost like her appearance caught up with her inner toughness. Since I’ve seen the film and begun rereading The Hunger Games, I’m liking rediscovering my own version of Katniss. Jennifer Lawrence certainly did a great job. I recently saw she was in X-Men as that blue character, Mystique, and that was a little freaky to put that together.
I hope you’ll enjoy Birthmarked and Prized when they arrive.
All best,
Caragh
Well I was relaly relaly hoping they would choose someone that LOOKED slightly like Katniss so, if they don’t dye her hair, I’m gonna be very annoyed. I must admit; she looks kinda, uh, dreamy, to be Katniss, but, um, we’ll see, I guess. (Although I was going for Hailee Steinfield (she’s a good actress (Nominated for an Academy Award at 14?) and looks like a Katniss) or Emma Roberts)
She’s not who I would have picked, but I think she’s much tbeter than some of the people whose names were being thrown around for the role. She was excellent in Winter’s Bone and I think that proved she could get down and dirty for a role. We’ll see how she does.Melissab4s last post ..
I haven’t seen her in any movies but I’ve heard she’s a good astrecs . Looking at the picture, I can’t imagine her as Katniss but as long as she can act, I don’t mind so much.I hope they choose a good actor for Peeta too.Misha Mathewb4s last post ..