Mayhem Wrote:Forget Hunger Games, read the book Battle Royale by Koushun Takami. You can find English translations pretty easy, and when your done you can watch the movie.
While the premise of the two books is very similar, the books are actually pretty different.
BR is more pulpy and ultra violent, and tries to give a little bit of back story to each character. While the government in the story is indeed horrible, the kids at least are well fed and, provided they do what they're told, can live out a somewhat normal life.
The Hunger Games is nowhere near as violent as BR, and focuses a lot more on Katniss' survival, in game, and out. The people living in the Districts are essentially slaves to those in the Capital, providing them a life of luxury while they face the threat of dying from starvation. The reasons for holding the Games also makes a lot more sense than it did in BR.
Anyone who says that Hunger Games is just like Battle Royale (I was one of hose people!) should read the book first. If you start comparing them, you realize that they're pretty different, and they're both good for different reasons.
Oh, BTW, does anyone know where to buy a copy of Battle Royale in Japanese that's not Amazon?
