|
Home
|
The Socialist 18 April 2012 |
Join the Socialist
Party
Subscribe
| Donate
| Bookshop
Book/Film review
The Hunger Games
Mary Finch
The ruins of North America have been transformed into the totalitarian state of Panem: twelve districts, in abject poverty, surround the utopian Capitol, a centre of glamour and decadence. In repentance for a past rebellion, every year each district is forced to offer up two of their children to fight to the death in the televised Hunger Games, for the enjoyment of the Capitol citizens.
This is the backdrop for Suzanne Collins' novel The Hunger Games, now a Hollywood film and a huge success, as she follows the strong heroine Katniss Everdeen and her exploits in the Capitol's twisted games.
Intricate, intense, poignant, and quite relevant: the story is entirely fantasy. Yet, in a lesser sense, it holds some resonance with modern Western society. There does seem to be a touch of satire throughout.
A Socialist Party member described it as "capitalism on speed"; the lucky few get richer and richer, while the millions are buried in insolvency. Couldn't that apply to both worlds, fantasy and real? Panem is a far greater extremity, certainly, but the parallel - however small - is there. The later books see the districts in rebellion. Perhaps it's time we did the same.
In this issue
Socialist Party news and analysis
 Strike on 10 May! Vote TUSC on 3 May!
10 May strike will re-ignite pensions battle
Scrap the act! Unions must call national demo to save NHS
The revolting philanthropy of the filthy rich
Welsh government slashes student grants
NUS needs a fighting leadership
Clegg's text message plans make us LOL!
Them & Us
Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition
On 3 May use your vote to: Shake up politics and fight all cuts!
Vote Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) on 3 May
Come and hear TUSC candidates standing in your area
Socialist Party workplace news
Re-elect the PCS fighting leadership
Usdaw conference
Health service pensions - reject the deal - coordinated action needed
Changing the trade unions into combative organisations
Socialist history
1932 - mass trespass won the right to roam
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Pro-choice action in Worthing
No to cuts: make the bosses pay!
Disabled people fighting back
Success at Varndean College, Brighton
Obituary: Arthur Deane
International socialist news and analysis
USA: An 'inspiring vibrant movement'
Tunisia: Brutal government crackdown on protesters will backfire
Reviews and Comment
Grim toll for hidden police racism
The Hunger Games
Home
|
The Socialist 18 April 2012 |
Join the Socialist
Party
Subscribe
| Donate
| Bookshop |
Google search the site
Printable version
email to friend
