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The Hunger

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'The Hunger' by Alma Katsu is a historical novel that retells the journey of the Reed Donner Party in 1846, adding a supernatural element to the story. The book delves into the horrors faced by the pioneers, including disease, starvation, and cannibalism, while also incorporating a supernatural twist that heightens the tension and fear within the narrative. Through well-done characterization and vivid descriptions, the author brings to life the interactions and struggles of the moving community, making the story a captivating blend of historical fiction and horror.

The plot of 'The Hunger' follows the ill-fated Donner Party as they face a series of mishaps, poor decisions, and supernatural threats while attempting to cross 1800's America from east to west. The author skillfully weaves together elements of historical events with supernatural horror, creating a gripping and eerie tale that keeps readers on edge. The book explores themes of despair, survival, and the malevolent nature of the surrounding environment, making it a haunting and immersive read that lingers in the mind long after the final page.

Characters:

Characters are richly developed, representing a range of backgrounds and responses to the unfolding horror, making their conflicts and struggles compelling.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is atmospheric with a strong emphasis on character development, merging historical detail with a haunting narrative.

Plot/Storyline:

The story intricately blends historical events surrounding the Donner Party with supernatural horror, focusing on their tragic fate and the psychological tensions among the group.

Setting:

The setting encapsulates the desolation and danger of the wilderness, contributing significantly to the story's tension and horror.

Pacing:

The pacing is generally slow at first, building tension gradually, though it has been criticized for dragging in the latter sections.
He stood that morning in front of the big mirror strapped to the side of James Reed’s wagon. In every direction, the prairie unfurled like a blanket, occasionally rippled by wind: mile after uninterru...

Notes:

The Hunger by Alma Katsu is based on the true story of the Donner Party, a group of American pioneers who became stranded in the Sierra Nevada during the winter of 1846-1847.
The Donner Party originally set out from Springfield, Illinois, aiming to reach California but took a dangerous shortcut recommended by a trail guide.
The party was plagued by poor decisions from the start, leading to delays and ultimately disaster when they became trapped by heavy snowfall.
As supplies ran low, the survivors were forced to resort to cannibalism, eating the bodies of those who died.
The novel incorporates a supernatural element, suggesting a haunting presence that stalks the group as they struggle for survival.
Katsu's portrayal examines the psychological breakdown of the characters under extreme stress, highlighting how desperation can affect human behavior.
The book narrates from multiple perspectives, offering insight into the relationships and social dynamics of the group.
There are themes of moral decline and the loss of civilization as the characters face dire circumstances, reflecting on the darker aspects of human nature.
Katsu’s storytelling blends historical fact with fiction, adding a layer of horror that emphasizes the already horrific reality of the historical events.
The novel has been well-received for its suspenseful writing and meticulous attention to historical detail.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for The Hunger include themes of cannibalism, death, violence, and psychological horror.

From The Publisher:

"Supernatural suspense at its finest…The best thing about The Hunger is that it will scare the pants off you."-The New York Times Book Review

"Deeply, deeply disturbing, hard to put down, not recommended reading after dark."-Stephen King

A tense and gripping reimagining of one of America's most fascinating historical moments: the Donner Party with a supernatural twist.

Evil is invisible, and it is everywhere.

That is the only way to explain the series of misfortunes that have plagued the wagon train known as the Donner Party. Depleted rations, bitter quarrels, and the mysterious death of a little boy have driven the isolated travelers to the brink of madness. Though they dream of what awaits them in the West, long-buried secrets begin to emerge, and dissent among them escalates to the point of murder and chaos. They cannot seem to escape tragedy…or the feelings that someone-or something-is stalking them. Whether it's a curse from the beautiful Tamsen Donner (who some think might be a witch), their ill-advised choice of route through uncharted terrain, or just plain bad luck, the ninety men, women, and children of the Donner Party are heading into one of one of the deadliest and most disastrous Western adventures in American history.

As members of the group begin to disappear, the survivors start to wonder if there really is something disturbing, and hungry, waiting for them in the mountains…and whether the evil that has unfolded around them may have in fact been growing within them all along.

Effortlessly combining the supernatural and the historical, The Hunger is an eerie, thrilling look at the volatility of human nature, pushed to its breaking point.

Ratings (29)

Incredible (4)
Loved It (5)
Liked It (11)
It Was OK (6)
Did Not Like (2)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (88):

Read It (31)
Currently Reading (1)
Want To Read (44)
Did Not Finish (2)
Not Interested (10)

2 comment(s)

It Was OK
5 days

I've been a bit intrigued by the Donner Party tragedy for a while but have not yet started to read a non fiction about it. But I thought that this fiction book was a good start to get even more interested. I like that Alma Katsu had her on twist on it and seemed to make this famous event her own in this horror novel. Didn't fully love it but it was a decent October read

 
Loved It
3 months

It grapples with hard subjects like sexual abuse and incest, and does it so well

 

About the Author:

Alma Katsu is the author of five novels, most recently Red Widow, The Deep, and The Hunger. Prior to the publication of her first novel, she had a 35-year career as a senior intelligence analyst for several U.S. agencies, including the…

 
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