Catching Fire Review ⭐
“Catching Fire”, the second novel in the “Hunger Games” trilogy is action-packed and thrilling, much like its predecessor.
The book was a huge success, selling more than 19 million copies in the United States alone. It has been released in audiobook and ebook formats. A highly successful film adaptation was released in 2013. Catching Fire won the Best Book of the Year award by Publisher’s Weekly in 2009.
Key Facts about Catching Fire
- Title: Catching Fire
- Published: September 1, 2009
- Genre: Young Adult, Dystopian fiction, Science fiction
- Point-of-View: First-person limited
- Setting: The post-apocalyptic nation of Panem in North America
- Climax: Katniss and her allies plan to take out the other tributes, but their plan is derailed and disastrous consequences accrue.
- Antagonist: President Coriolanus Snow
Suzanne Collins and Catching Fire
Suzanne Collins was highly influenced by her father’s military career. As a young girl, she was exposed to the harsh realities of war, poverty, and starvation – all of which made it into the novel, Catching Fire.
Collins’ father served in the Vietnam war, during which time Collins felt an extreme sense of longing for him. This is reflected in Katniss’ craving for her father’s company after he passed away in a mining accident. Collins’ father’s career as an Air Force officer, military historian as well as a doctor of political science all helped her learn as much as she could about politics and war. Collins’ father was determined to educate his children about military history, as a result of which, Collins grew up equipped to write about the political conflict in Catching Fire.
The idea for the Hunger Games in general, however, was born when Collins was casually flipping between channels one night. She was tired from a long day, and as a result, a reality show on one channel blurred together with footage from the war in Afghanistan. Collins was also inspired by Greek and Roman mythology, specifically the tale of Theseus and the Minotaur, and the Roman gladiatorial games, both of which led to the dystopian idea of the Hunger Games.
Books Related to Catching Fire
Catching Fire is the second novel in the Hunger Games trilogy written by Suzanne Collins. It is preceded by the first novel in the trilogy, The Hunger Games, released in 2008, and succeeded by the last novel in the trilogy, Mockingjay, published in 2010. The other books in the trilogy have been well-received by both critics and readers, with The Hunger Games becoming a New York Times bestseller, and Mockingjay topping every single one of the bestseller lists in the US after its publication.
The Hunger Games revolves around the story of the young protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, in the post-apocalyptic nation of Panem. Katniss is picked as a tribute for the barbaric Hunger Games, which is a battle royale to the death. Catching Fire continues her story, as she and her fellow tribute from District 12 are forced into the arena once again, to take part in a special edition of the Hunger Games. Mockingjay, the final novel, captures the rebellion that has been formed against the oppressive Capitol, with Katniss as the face of the rebellion.
Suzanne Collins has released a prequel and spin-off to The Hunger Games trilogy, called The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Published on May 19, 2019, the prequel follows the story of young Coriolanus Snow (the main antagonist of the trilogy) in the initial stages of the Hunger Games.
The idea behind The Hunger Games trilogy has often been compared to Koushun Takami’s novel Battle Royale. Published in 1999, the novel precedes the publication of The Hunger Games – something that has caused people to accuse Suzanne Collins of stealing the idea from Takami. However, Suzanne Collins had neither read nor heard of Takami’s Battle Royale before writing The Hunger Games.
The Hunger Games trilogy has been compared to Stephen King’s novels, The Long Walk and The Running Man. Parallels can also be drawn between The Hunger Games and a 1953 short story written by Robert Scheckley called “The Seventh Victim.”
The Hunger Games trilogy falls under the category of Young Adult literature, specifically the genre of young adult dystopian novels. As such, those who are interested in Catching Fire may also be interested to read other young adult dystopian novels such as the Divergent series by Veronica Roth, The Maze Runner by James Dashner, Delirium by Lauren Oliver, and so on.
The Lasting Impact of Catching Fire
The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins was well-received by critics, authors as well as readers. Catching Fire, especially, was praised for its “unadorned prose,” “perfect pacing” and “electrifying world-building.” Published with an initial print of 350,000 copies, the number was bumped up to almost 750,000 copies by February 2010.
The prequel to Catching Fire, The Hunger Games was already a worldwide sensation, with the rights to the novel being sold in 38 countries. Catching Fire was an even bigger success, and had already sold 10 million copies by 2012. Gabrielle Zevin from The New York Times commented, “Collins has done that rare thing. She has written a sequel that improves upon the first book. As a reader, I felt excited and hopeful: could it be that this series and its characters were actually going somewhere?”
There is no dearth to the number of honors that Catching Fire snagged upon its release. Not only did it make the bestseller lists of USA Today, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Publisher’s Weekly, it also made the Top 10 Fiction Books of 2009 by Time Magazine and Best Books of 2009: Children’s Fiction by Publisher’s Weekly. People Magazine named it one of the Top 10 Best Books of 2009, while Los Angeles Times named it the Best Children’s Book of 2009.
Catching Fire was also the Booklist Editor’s Choice 2009, and a Kirkus Best Book of 2009. It was also the 2010 Children’s Choice Book Award and one of the Top 100 Editors’ Picks in the Amazon Best Books of 2009.
Reviews from critics have been positive for Catching Fire, with Publisher’s Weekly commenting, “If this second installment spends too much time recapping events from book one, it doesn’t disappoint when it segues into the pulse-pounding action leaders have come to expect.”
Reviewers have also praised the character development that occurs in the novel, as well as its cliffhanger ending. The Plain Dealer wrote “The very last sentence of Catching Fire will leave readers gasping. Not to mention primed for part three.”
A film adaptation of Catching Fire was released in 2013 to resounding success. The film was produced by Lionsgate Entertainment and starred Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth in the roles of Katniss, Peeta, and Gale respectively. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire grossed more than $800 million in 2013, becoming the fifth highest-grossing film at the box office that year. It was also the highest-grossing installment of the Hunger Games series, as well as the highest-grossing film by Lionsgate Entertainment.
The symbol of the Mockingjay, a fictitious bird in The Hunger Games universe has left a lasting impact on popular culture. The bird has made its way into fan merchandise, with necklaces and other accessories being fashioned out of it.
The three-finger salute – where one presses the three middle fingers of the left hand to their lips and then raises their fingers into the air – became popular after Catching Fire. Although the salute was first introduced in The Hunger Games, it was in Catching Fire that the salute became a symbol of the rebellion. The salute has been appropriated in the real world since then and has become a pro-democracy symbol after the 2014 Thai coup d’etat. The protestors in Thailand added further meaning to the three-finger salute, stating that the three fingers stand for the three ideals of the French Revolution – liberty, equality, and fraternity. It has since been used in protests and coup d’etats across the world, including Hong Kong, Myanmar, Cambodia, the Philippines, and the United States.
As a part of The Hunger Games trilogy, Catching Fire has given way to the world of Young Adult Fiction, specifically Young Adult Dystopian Fiction in the contemporary period. The trilogy has gained immense fame and influence, and parallels can be drawn with J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter series and Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series. Several writers of Young Adult Fiction across the world have gained inspiration from The Hunger Games for their works.
Catching Fire, much like the other Hunger Games books, is well-loved not only by its intended audience but by people of all ages. Its influence continues to be widespread, and it continues to make history in the world of Young Adult literature.
Catching Fire Character List 🏹
‘Catching Fire’ by Suzanne Collins builds on the characters that were introduced in the first book of the “Hunger Games” trilogy.
Catching Fire Quotes 💬
‘Catching Fire’ by Suzanne Collins has several quotes that are highly intriguing.
Catching Fire Themes and Analysis 🏹
‘Catching Fire’ is the second novel in the “Hunger Games” trilogy. It explores several themes including manipulation, love and sacrifice, the power of appearances, strength, and courage, and the struggle for control.
Catching Fire Plot Summary 🏹
‘Catching Fire’ by Suzanne Collins is the second installment of the “Hunger Games” trilogy. It continues the story of Katniss as she is thrown back into the Hunger Games once again.