I am reading Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games right now. The main character is a teenage girl named Katniss Everdeen. She’s smart, strong, resourceful, and self-aware, all good qualities for anyone, but especially for a young woman who’s about to fight for her life (don’t tell me…I’m only halfway through the book). Some students in my 4th hour class and I were talking about this book today, and one of the boys said he thought he might read that book but he thought it was a girls book, so he decided not to. That made me wonder if boys will avoid books with strong female characters or if they think they won’t be able to relate? What do you think? Do boys tend to avoid those kinds of books? I’m not talking about teen romance fiction or so-called “chick lit.” I’m talking about interesting stories, even adventure stories, like The Hunger Games, that happen to have female protagonists. Is the opposite also true, that girls will avoid books with strong male protagonists?
I can say for a fact that guys will tend to avoid books with female protagonists. If you are a guy and you read a “chick book,” you will probably get made fun of. For instance, last year somebody in our grade read Twilight. Not surprisingly he got made fun of. Pretty much the only time us guys will read a “chick book” is if it gets assigned for school.
But that’s my point, Jake. Is it a “chick book” just because the protagonist is female? That doesn’t quite seem fair, does it? Couldn’t it just be a good book?
Whenever a book series hits it big, I guess I’m a bit skeptical about the quality of the writing. BUT, I have to say that I was completely taken with this book. Collin’s writes very well and she keeps the plot tight. I’m impressed. I love Katniss Everdeen. What an amazing young woman. Boys, you should read the book just to know what kind of girl you should be seeking out. She’s for real!! I love how she thinks through each scenario, weighing potential consequences of each decision she makes. That’s impressive for a teenager. But, she’s been relying on her own hunting skills to feed her mother and sister for awhile, and things like that help one grow up fast. I wasn’t thinking I’d read the other two books, but now I can’t wait to see what happens. Boys, yes, there is a love story, but it’s not like you think. I would urge everyone to read The Hunger Games and experience the novel for yourself.
My predictions? Glad you asked (I know, you didn’t). I think at some point, Katniss and Peeta or Gale or all three will defeat the Capitol and end the Hunger Games as they are inhumane. I guess I’ll have to see if I am right. : )
I have read this book as well and I believe that the “chick book” comment doesn’t apply. Even though Katniss is a female protagonist in the book, she has many qualities that apply to a male as well. The plot changes the whole aspect of her being a girl too. Peeta and her fighting for their lives in the arena makes me ignore the fact that she is a girl and just get connected to all the action happening around them. Jake, I would say take the chance and read the book! It’s great and I really think that guys would like it too. (:
I agree Jessy and Ms. Hogue. I have three male students I can think of off of the top of my head who read the trilogy this semester. Personally, I think fear of “chick-lit” is actually fear of being in a girl’s head
In the case of this series, Katniss is everything NOT expected of a female. She is smart, resourceful, athletic, tough-minded, and the girl can hunt. Unfortunately, I think there are too many books (ok, I’ll just say it, Twilight and those by Sarah Dessen) that portray females in stereotypical, weak roles. I didn’t think much about this during the reading process, because I got lost in the plot like Jessy did. Reading this thread of comments though, I truly appreciate Collins creating a praise worthy female character.
I am reading this series right now and I love them! I am on the third book right now and still cannot stop reading. Even though the main character is a girl I really don’t think that this is a girly book. I know some guys that have read it and they really enjoyed it. Actually the first person to tell me about it was a guy. My first reaction was that I wasn’t going to like it because boys were reading it. So all of the boys that are out there and don’t think it will be a good book just because the main character is a girl, give them a try.
I’m reading the third book now and am more convinced than ever that boys will love this series. In fact, it might be a little too violent and weapon-ish for many girls.