By I. Hansana, Jadetimes News
Inspired by an 18th century Scottish philosopher and the modern issue of misinformation, Suzanne Collins is revisiting the post apocalyptic world of Panem in her new Hunger Games novel.
Scholastic announced on Thursday that "Sunrise on the Reaping," the fifth installment in Collins's bestselling dystopian series, will be published on March 18, 2025. This new novel begins with the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, occurring 24 years before the original "Hunger Games" novel, released in 2008, and 40 years after "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes," published in 2020.
While Collins previously drew from Greek mythology and Roman gladiator games for her earlier works, she cites Scottish Enlightenment philosopher David Hume as the inspiration for her upcoming novel.
“With ‘Sunrise on the Reaping,’ I was inspired by David Hume’s idea of implicit submission and, in his words, ‘the easiness with which the many are governed by the few,'' Collins explained in a statement. “The story also lent itself to a deeper exploration of propaganda and the power of those who control the narrative. The question ‘Real or not real?’ feels increasingly relevant to me. ”Ellie Berger, president of Scholastic Trade, praised Collins and the forthcoming book.
“Suzanne Collins has done it again, bringing us back to Panem to pose important questions about our own world,” said Berger, as reported by the Hollywood Reporter. Sunrise on the Reaping’ is a remarkable book, offering new complexity, perspective, and revelations to a part of the Hunger Games story that readers have longed to understand better.”
Fans have expressed widespread excitement on social media for the latest addition to the Hunger Games series. “It’s time to reread the books for the 4th time,” commented one user on X. Another enthusiastic fan wrote: “IS THIS REAL? LIKE ACTUALLY!”
While film rights have not yet been announced, the first four books have all been adapted into movies, forming a multibillion dollar franchise for Lionsgate. Jennifer Lawrence starred as the heroine Katniss Everdeen in the film versions of "The Hunger Games," "Catching Fire," and "Mockingjay," the latter split into two parts.
The first four Hunger Games books have sold over 100 million copies and have been translated into numerous languages. Although Collins appeared to conclude the series with the 2010 publication of "Mockingjay," she surprised readers and the publishing industry in 2019 by announcing "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes," set 64 years before the first book.
The film adaptation of "Songbirds and Snakes," starring Tom Blyth and Rachel Zegler, was released last year and became a box office hit, earning $337.4 million.
The Hunger Games series has had a significant international impact beyond books and films. Since 2014, the three fingered salute from the film franchise has been adopted by activists in Southeast Asia as a symbol of resistance and support for democracy.
“We knew that it would be easily understood to represent concepts of freedom, equality, solidarity,” said Thai pro democracy activist Sirawith Seritiwat in a 2021 interview with the Guardian. Seritiwat noted that the critique of authoritarianism in the Hunger Games resonated with youth demonstrators.
“It was partly because the anti coup situation back then felt similar to scenes in the Hunger Games film, where people put three fingers up towards President Snow,” he added.
