As a adult (not to say aged) Harry Potter fan, its perhaps a little surprising that I have never read any other YA fiction beyond the classics. And by classics I really mean written by dead authors. Since I rediscovered a love of fiction in 2018, my have-been-read list consists of: Anne of Green Gables, The Secret Garden, The Wind in the Willows, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and the first four volumes of the Swallows and Amazons series. In terms of children’s and YA literature my to-be-read list (think Emma Woodhouse) is completely empty. No Divergent, no Twilight, no Hunger Games.
Three things have coincided, to make me re-evaluate. I have just finished Super-Infinite: The Transformations of John Donne by Katherine Rundell, a children’s writer who has had some lovely things to say about J. K. Rowling’s work. She has a, very well received, list of children’s books, that look very intriguing. The Hogwarts Professor is agog with the latest instalment of the Hunger Games, and unless I want to be spoiled I cannot read any of the posts (dammit!). Finally some self reflection leads me to believe I am guilty of that fault that I deplore in others: believing myself above such childish things…
So in the spirit of turning turning over a new leaf I have allowed Katniss to take me by the hand and lead me into the series. More tomorrow!
When first interacting with John, I was aghast that he recommended the Hunger Games. He couldn’t believe I had not read the series. I said, “Why would I want to read books about kids having to kill each other?” He told me to try. I did. And I was amazed that the series was SO MUCH more than my initial thinking. The themes are very contemporary and adult. Much like those who initially dismiss Harry Potter, once I read the series, I was mesmerized. And as much as I appreciated the initial trilogy, the prequels add another layer of depth. Glad you are joining the bandwagon Nick. I look forward to your reactions and musings.
Thank you, Kelly! Well the series has passed the first big test. I have finished The Hunger Games and moved straight on to Catching Fire. That in itself is quite unusual for me. I usually like read something different in between books in a series, partly as a palate cleanser, and partly to allow me a gap, to process what I have read. But I need to know just how much trouble Katniss and Peeta are in…