SUZANNE COLLINS’ CATCHING FIRE: LOVE, LOVE, LOVE … IN THE MIDST OF DEATH AND CARNAGE

RATING GUIDE:

 

5 – A keeper!   

4 – Very good

3 –  Passable

2 –  I’d rather read a telephone book

1 – An absolute bomb.  Read at your own risk!

Catching Fire, the second installment in Suzanne Collins’ trilogy, focuses on its heroine Katniss’ life after the recently concluded Hunger Games.  For Katniss and her family, the period following the Hunger Games is a respite of sorts from the material scarcity that has long become their life.  There’s more food on the table and even money to spend.  And yet, Katniss’ victory is neither fulfilling nor permanent.  As hard as she tries to go back to her old life, Katniss comes home a changed woman. The trauma of participating in the Hunger Games brings Katniss nightly terrors.  Her relationship with her best friend (and almost-boyfriend) Gale has been strained, just like her relationship with her former opponent (now pseudo-love partner) Peeta.  But worst of all, this hollow victory of sorts is short-lived, for the evil President Snow soon forces Katniss to participate in another round of the Hunger Games as “punishment” for her “rebellion”.  This time, Katniss is forced to fight former champions of the Hunger Games … AND Peeta.

Unlike the first installment of the trilogy, Catching Fire is less action-packed.  This is not to say that reading this is less heavy on the mind and heart.  The angst is just as overwhelming, for this time, the battle is internal, as Katniss struggles with the creation she has inadvertently created.  Without meaning to, she has turned herself into the Mockingjay, the symbol of the people’s revolution against President Snow’s oppressive regime.

Despite Katniss’ agonizing internal struggles, there’s one bright spot in her life (if not for her, then for the readers, at least), and that’s her blossoming love life.  As I already said, there’s her longtime best friend and blossoming revolutionary Gale, who’s all brawn and simmering anger … and then there’s the now-one-legged Peeta, who, despite his own traumatic experiences, is the model of resilience, inner strength and utter goodness.  As I read the book, I couldn’t help but think, Ay, ang haba-haba ng hair mo, Katniss!

As thoroughly depressing as this book was, it surprisingly scores high in terms of kilig.  One especially moving and intimate scene was when one of the boys (I won’t say who, so as not to spoil your fun) wrapped his arms around Katniss to comfort her following one of her nightmares.  Sigh.

But beyond the kilig moments, the book’s value really lies in its power to make people think about the nature of war and of people.  As I read about Katniss’ agonizing ordeal, I couldn’t help but think of people in real life who became symbols of the revolution in their own countries.  People like Ninoy and Cory Aquino, or Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi and Aung San Suu Kyi.  Were they also reluctant symbols of the revolution like Katniss?  Were they as scared for their own lives and that of their respective families?  Did they also have their own PR people dressing them up and teaching them what to say or do to influence their followers?  I also asked myself, if people asked me to lead a revolution, would I run away from the challenge, or risk everything, including my life and that of my loved ones?  What would YOU do?  It’s something you might want to think about, on the occasion of the 40^th anniversary of Martial Law. 

RATING:  5