Thursday, September 5, 2013

Hunger Pains, by The Harvard Lampoon

The Hunger Pains by The Harvard Lampoon is a parody of The Hunger Games. It focuses on the character Kantkiss Neverclean, who replaces her sister as a contestant on the reality show called The Hunger Games. Since Kantkiss lived in the worst telemarketing district's worst neighborhood, she was unprepared. Despite being unprepared, Kantkiss loved being on camera and loved all of the attention. Kantkiss develops a problem that builds in her heart while on the battlefield. She can't decide between the dreamy stud from home, Carol Handsomestein, or the doughy klutz, Pita Malarkey. Kantkiss Neverclean will have to fight on the battlefield to survive and to fight for love.

The title doesn’t lie; this book is a hilarious parody of the first book of the popular The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. If you plan on reading this book, I suggest you read The Hunger Games first so you can pick up on the subtleties of the humor. I enjoyed this book very much because it was a nice break from my usual, serious reading material. I was often afraid to read it in public due to the fact that I would probably end up embarrassing myself by bursting out laughing as I did when I read alone. Overall, it was an incredibly funny book that anyone would enjoy.


Reviewed by Emily R., Grade 9
Montrose Library





4 comments:

Anonymous said...

In what used used to be North America there is a new nation called Panem. In Panem there are twelve districts. Every year each district has to send in one boy and one girl into The Hunger Games a fight to the death. Sixteen year old Katniss Everdeen a girl from district twelve has to step in for her sister. She is already used to surviving so she might be ready for this fight to the death.

In my opinion this book is fantastic. I liked the constant action, the fast pace, and how you really hear the main character Katniss's thoughts. I think anyone who likes action or romance love this book. This bookk at points made me feel hopeless or hopeful for the characters. In my opinion buy this book.

Reviewed by Christian W., grade 9
Montrose Library

Anonymous said...

The hunger games is about a fascinating dystopian world. It's pack with how society reacts to wars and violence , it also shows how people would do anything for the ones they love. It also shows how the threats of war and authoritarian governments. This is a good book to read if your interested in government and how it influences people to do things they don't want to do just to survive .
I thought this was a great book it talk a lot about how people get force to do stuff they don't want just to save the people they love and just to be at peace , it's very interesting and it's very fresh from other books out there , this book really got me hook on it and I was reading for hours , I really enjoy the book .

Reviewed by Juan M., grade 12
Glendale Central Library

Anonymous said...

This book is about a extremely corrupt government who uses the "hunger games" as a cover for slaughter as punishment for a rebellion 74 years ago. they choose 24 people, a boy and a girl from each of 12 districts and make them fight to the death leaving one survivor. however a girl, Katniss Everdeen changed everything. her younger sister was chosen so she volunteered in her place. this made her very famous and well known. during the game she learned that drama is everything and she used that to her advantage. the author describes the pain that Katniss goes through so vividly you can almost feel it.
This is a very good book. it makes me very mad though that the government is allowed to push people around like that, it makes me grateful that my life isnt as horrible as the lives in this book. I think this is such a great book, something so complex must have been so hard to write. its a really fun read and you never want to put the book down. every moment is a action packed drama filled, every time i had to put the book down its all i thought about. i was always predicting what would happen and hoping Katniss would be okay, i would definitely recommend this to people.

Reviewed by Anna K., grade 9
Montrose Crescenta Branch


Anonymous said...

In The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins the story takes place in the nation of Panem controlled by the Capitol and the surrounding 12 Districts. Because of District 13's rebellion against the Capitol the 12 Districts have to give up a boy and a girl ages 12-18 to compete in The Hunger Games. 16 year old Katniss Everdeen sees that her sister Primrose Everdeen gets called up, so she volunteers for her sister. The male that was chosen is Peeta Mellark. Peeta and Katniss then go to the Capitol with there drunk instructor, Haymitch. He is there to help them determine their strengths and weaknesses to win.

This book was so thrilling that you just cant stop reading it. It shows you how to be brave and stand up for what you believe in. It also teaches you to not let people stand in your way just because they think their stronger and have more power than you. This book has a lot of lessons that can be learned from it. I really liked this book because it made be keep wanting to know what happens next in the story. So if you like action or just want a good book to read then this book is definitely for you.

Reviewed by Kyle L., grade9
Montrose Crescenta Branch