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Hayley's Reviews > The Hunger
The Hunger
by
by
Wow did this book take me by surprise.
I must admit being British, the Donner party and the disastrous journey that they took wasn’t one that I was familiar with. I think this is more of an American history subject. So I had to do my research. Katsu mixes truth with chillingly scary fiction in The Hunger.
For those that don’t know too much about the history of the Donner Party: a group of around 90 American pioneers led by George Donner set out for the arduous journey for California in the winter of 1846-46 by wagon train. Their journey was blighted with mistakes that ultimately led to the death of most of the group.
A journey that usually took around 6 months, the Donner Party followed a new route which had incredibly rugged terrain which resulted in the loss of most of the cattle and some wagons; it caused frictions within the group. Then the early and harsh winter fell in the November that cut the party off for some months. With the group’s supplies dwindling fast some set off on foot for help, but the relief party wasn’t able to reach them until February 1847 due to incredibly heavy snow. In desperation the Donner Party have to resort to cannibalism of the dead to survive.
Then Katsu introduces her absolutely terrifying twist on an already incredibly deadly story; what the Indians call Na’it (or The Hunger). The Na’it is infecting those in the Donner party giving them an insatiable appetite that they will try to fill at any cost...
Right from the start the suspense is built and I could actually feel my shoulders tense as the ill fated Donner Party set off on the wrong course to California.
Katsu has used real characters in her book, which makes it all the more authentic. And the fiction she has used fits in so perfectly in the era and setting, it’s hard to pull it apart from the fact.
The story is from several characters point of view and fleshes out their background. This really gives depth and insight in to the large party and you can see where its downfall came from a more informed point. We are treated to added sides of secrets and scandals. Not that this main course needed any further enhancement, but boy is this done well.
I was completely gripped by The Hunger. I haven’t read a book this creepy in years!
A 5 star read for me.
I would like to thank Poppy Stimpson at Bantam Press for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
I must admit being British, the Donner party and the disastrous journey that they took wasn’t one that I was familiar with. I think this is more of an American history subject. So I had to do my research. Katsu mixes truth with chillingly scary fiction in The Hunger.
For those that don’t know too much about the history of the Donner Party: a group of around 90 American pioneers led by George Donner set out for the arduous journey for California in the winter of 1846-46 by wagon train. Their journey was blighted with mistakes that ultimately led to the death of most of the group.
A journey that usually took around 6 months, the Donner Party followed a new route which had incredibly rugged terrain which resulted in the loss of most of the cattle and some wagons; it caused frictions within the group. Then the early and harsh winter fell in the November that cut the party off for some months. With the group’s supplies dwindling fast some set off on foot for help, but the relief party wasn’t able to reach them until February 1847 due to incredibly heavy snow. In desperation the Donner Party have to resort to cannibalism of the dead to survive.
Then Katsu introduces her absolutely terrifying twist on an already incredibly deadly story; what the Indians call Na’it (or The Hunger). The Na’it is infecting those in the Donner party giving them an insatiable appetite that they will try to fill at any cost...
Right from the start the suspense is built and I could actually feel my shoulders tense as the ill fated Donner Party set off on the wrong course to California.
Katsu has used real characters in her book, which makes it all the more authentic. And the fiction she has used fits in so perfectly in the era and setting, it’s hard to pull it apart from the fact.
The story is from several characters point of view and fleshes out their background. This really gives depth and insight in to the large party and you can see where its downfall came from a more informed point. We are treated to added sides of secrets and scandals. Not that this main course needed any further enhancement, but boy is this done well.
I was completely gripped by The Hunger. I haven’t read a book this creepy in years!
A 5 star read for me.
I would like to thank Poppy Stimpson at Bantam Press for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
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