Review and Food: Sunrise On the Reaping

Haymitch Abernathy has been one of my favorite characters in "The Hunger Games" since the beginning. While it would be easy to quickly write him off as a drunk who doesn’t give a damn, Suzanne Collins just doesn’t do one-dimensional characters, so we knew there was a rich backstory. A backstory we get in "Sunrise on the Reaping."

From the original “The Hunger Games” trilogy, we already know Haymitch was a victor and we know that being a victor is not the same as winning. In “Sunrise on the Reaping” Collins takes us through Haymitch’s reaping, games, and aftermath - in heartbreaking detail. In her acknowledgements, she thanks readers for returning even when they know how things turn out but it’s her writing that shatters us despite our knowing how things turn out.

While there isn’t a lot of new territory here, “Sunrise” is a fascinating continuation of the history and development of the games. The 50th games is a far cry from the games we see in “Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” but is not yet to the level of 74th games where we meet Katniss, Peeta, and the rest of the characters we know so well. I absolutely loved seeing younger versions of some of the most familiar characters. Getting glimpses of them 24 years before our first meeting sheds light on so many things; while simultaneously opening the door for even more prequels.

Obviously this series is a political commentary and I would be remiss not to mention the thread running through this story. That you can be the right person in the wrong time. That it’s never a single spark. That even changes that seem fast have likely been brewing in the background for a long time.

As in the other books, food is a central component. Not as front and center in some others, but certainly playing an important role. Stay tuned as I hope of recreate, what I believe, to be most important dish in “Sunrise on the Reaping” in the coming days. Today, I’m noshing on a quick snack that gets mentioned during the pre-games festivities - peanut brittle with goat cheese. I don’t know if this is a Capitol specialty or just a personal preference for the character that Haymitch spies enjoying it, but in any case, I gave it a try.

I agree with Haymitch. It’s not bad. The creamy/crunchy, sweet/savory works decently here. I don’t think this would ever be a go to snack for me, but if I’m ever wandering around a banquet in the Capitol, I might go for this combo before some of the other options. I give the snack three stars but the book gets five. And I hope Suzanne Collins decides to revisit a couple more of our favorite characters soon.

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