Suzanne Collins has outdone herself with this beautifully written prequel to the popular “Hunger Games” trilogy. In her new novel, “Sunrise on the Reaping,” she masterfully weaves themes of control and resistance into this elaborate dystopian universe, while simultaneously criticizing modern American politics.
The book centers around 16-year-old Haymitch Abernathy, who has been selected to participate in the Hunger Games, a brutal televised death match where 24 tributes, teenagers chosen from 12 districts, are forced to fight to the death in a controlled arena until only one remains. However, as the novel takes place during the 50th anniversary of the games, evil dictator President Snow has announced that double the usual number of tributes to enter the arena. In Haymitch’s games, he becomes determined to rebel against his authoritarian regime, using his wit and defiance not only to survive the bloodshed but also to challenge the Capitol’s control. His actions set the first spark of resistance in motion.
Before the first chapter of the novel, Collin uses a quote from George Orwell to highlight the book’s focus on propaganda. “All propaganda is lies, even when one is telling the truth. I don’t think this matters so long as one knows what one is doing, and why,” wrote George Orwell.
Throughout the book, different instances of the Capitol controlling the narrative as well as releasing different forms of propaganda cast doubt on the authenticity of images people see in the media, both within and outside the dystopian world.
Plot-wise, this book was a masterpiece. As someone who has read all of the books in the Hunger Games franchise, I can confirm that there are no plot holes; additionally, every character has a purpose. Despite President Snow’s incredibly evil nature, I enjoyed Collins’s craft of such a well-written villain. Sunrise on the Reaping dives further into his sociopathic character, using him as a symbol of modern political corruption.
There are many more themes in this book relevant to current events, such as its anti-AI sentiments or its criticisms of ignorance. I would recommend the novel to readers who have already read or watched the original Hunger Games and those who enjoy dystopian literature. All in all, Suzanne Collins’s Sunrise on the Reaping is a tragic, thought-provoking return to Panem that not only expands the universe with emotional depth and political nuance but also cements her legacy as a master of dystopian storytelling. With beautiful prose, morally complex characters, and a haunting mirror to our own world, this prequel doesn’t just complement the original trilogy; it elevates it.
