Katniss the Cattail by Valerie Estelle Frankel
Paperback, first, 104 pages
Published 2012
Age Group: N/A
Source: Publisher
Buy this Book:Amazon
Summary(from Goodreads):
Who was Cinna? What do the hawthorn and primrose symbolize? Or President Snow’s roses and Peeta’s bread? What about Katniss’s last name? Bringing details from myths, herbal guides, military histories, and the classics, English professor and award-winning pop culture author Valerie Estelle Frankel sheds light on the deeper meanings behind Panem’s heroes and villains in this hottest of YA trilogies. In her series, Collins not only weaves a heroic tale of deep complexity but harnesses the power of Shakespeare and Rome to retell an ancient epic of betrayal, violence, and glory on the stage of an apocalyptic future. The perfect treat for fans of all ages. Everything Hunger Games, packed into one volume. From Alma Coin to Wiress you’ll learn about • Why roses are a flower of death • How eighteen of the characters are used in Shakespeare’s plays • Katniss’s nickname Catnip • The meaning of “The Hanging Tree” • Peeta’s pearl and Katniss’s salvation • Effie the saint and Finnick the Irish hero.
If you are a die hard fan of the Hunger Games series like me and enjoy reading any extra knowledge on the characters just to feel more connected to the story then you will enjoy this book. Katniss the Cattail goes into depth explaining the history and meaning behind each character from all three of the books within the series. It also mentions why some of the symbols used within the series hold such meaning and importance to the characters.
Focusing on the three main characters, or ‘The Big Three’, this story goes in depth to find the real meanings behind the names and personalities for each Katniss, Peeta, and Gale. The author really did her homework on researching the histories behind the names that Suzanne Collins made come to life. We get to see that Katniss’ name does not only represent a root, Peeta is not just a bread, and Gale is not just a powerful force of nature. The other names are defined in less detail but lets face it, they aren’t the main characters. They all are either defined by history, by nature, biblical references, in representation of their district, or even influenced by other literary characters. No matter where they came from they all hold an important meaning in the Hunger Games.
This author defiantly spent her time researching all the possible meanings behind these names and symbols. It is clearly shown within the long in depth descriptions of the main characters names. This book might of been a little slow at times if you aren’t a real lover of the Hunger Games and just want to know as much about these books and their characters as possible; but nevertheless it was a very interesting and enlightening read.
**this review was written by my sister, Jessica. show her some love in the comments :)**
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Age Group: N/A
Thanks for the review Jessica!! I also have this for review and am in the process of reading it and wanted to see what you thought =D
Hi Jessica! That sounds interesting
This sounds interesting Jessica. I loved the Hunger Games but my seventeen year old daughter named Jessica is a die-hard fan. I am going to get her this and tell her Jessica from Book Briefs recommended it! Thanks!
Hi Jessica! Thank you for sharing this book and your thoughts with us:) I actually hadn’t heard of this book before reading this review and I am intrigued by the idea that the often overlooked details in this series can hold such great significance. I would love to read this book!
Sarah
I’m almost done in the second book and I really like it. Books like this should be fun. Thanks for the review!
Great review, Jessica! I hadn’t heard anything about this book until your review. Now I might have to see if my library has it!
Commenting again, Jessica, but i wanted to tell you i finished it today and agree with everything you said =D
Great review, Jessica!
I’d really like to read this! It sounds so interesting.
i am in the process of reading the hunger games and tis will come after i am done..i didnt know about this book until i followed your blog and came across it.