Author: The Harvard Lampoon
Publication Date: February 7, 2012
Publisher: Touchstone
Pages: 157
Age Rating: Readers above the age of 14 due to inappropriate references
My Opinion: 7/10
Hi, Readers!
Calling all Hunger Games fans. The Hunger Pains, written by the widely acclaimed Harvard Lampoon, gives new life to the story of Katniss Everdeen. Except her name is Kantkiss Neverclean. That right there should give you an idea of how absurd this book is.
Kantkiss Neverclean of the telemarketing District 12 does not volunteer as tribute for the Hunger Games, a top rated reality television show. Instead, she is tricked into volunteering for the vicious games, alongside tribute Pita Malarkey. Kantkiss is not the sharpest tool in the shed, and she somehow narrowly escapes death many times due to her stupidity. The entire novel shares a plot line with The Hunger Games, but each element of the story is made into a hilarious parody. For example, instead of Peeta camoflauging himself as a rock, Pita Malarkey turns himself into a giant wedding cake in the middle of the forest. Of course, Kantkiss doesn't notice until the cake blinks. The random humor thrown into The Hunger Pains makes each and every sentence unique and comical. Below is the YouTube trailer for the book.
One of my favorite parts of the book was the creative way that the authors changed the characters' names. Katniss Everdeen is now Kantkiss Neverclean. Peeta Mellark is Pita Malarkey. Gale Hawthorne is Carol Handsomestein. Foxface is Dogface. Every time a new character is introduced, I had to giggle because of their fun names.
My least favorite aspect of the book was the depiction of Kantkiss's love triangle with Pita and Archie Nemesis (similar to Cato in the original books). Kantkiss falls in love with Archie Nemesis, but he is actually trying to kill her and she is so dumb that she doesn't even know. At the same time, she likes Pita because of all of his gross and unattractive characteristics. Kantkiss is a hilarious character to read about, but her mind works in strange ways when it comes to love.
I recommend The Hunger Pains to all Hunger Games fans. If you did not enjoy the Hunger Games or have not read it, then this book is not for you because you will not understand the funniest jokes and plot twists. This book reminds me of an inside joke - it is super duper funny if you know what it is about, but not so great if you aren't in the know. I am an avid Hunger Games fan, and The Hunger Pains made me laugh out loud on almost every single page.
Happy reading!
One of my favorite parts of the book was the creative way that the authors changed the characters' names. Katniss Everdeen is now Kantkiss Neverclean. Peeta Mellark is Pita Malarkey. Gale Hawthorne is Carol Handsomestein. Foxface is Dogface. Every time a new character is introduced, I had to giggle because of their fun names.
My least favorite aspect of the book was the depiction of Kantkiss's love triangle with Pita and Archie Nemesis (similar to Cato in the original books). Kantkiss falls in love with Archie Nemesis, but he is actually trying to kill her and she is so dumb that she doesn't even know. At the same time, she likes Pita because of all of his gross and unattractive characteristics. Kantkiss is a hilarious character to read about, but her mind works in strange ways when it comes to love.
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| A map of Peaceland, comparable to Panam of The Hunger Games |
I recommend The Hunger Pains to all Hunger Games fans. If you did not enjoy the Hunger Games or have not read it, then this book is not for you because you will not understand the funniest jokes and plot twists. This book reminds me of an inside joke - it is super duper funny if you know what it is about, but not so great if you aren't in the know. I am an avid Hunger Games fan, and The Hunger Pains made me laugh out loud on almost every single page.
Happy reading!
I love the Hunger Games but haven't heard of the parody book until now, I have to get this!
ReplyDeleteLauren. Head In A Book @ http://laurenwritesablog.wordpress.com/