The Hunger Pains: A Parody (Harvard Lampoon) [Paperback]

The Harvard Lampoon (Author)

Book Description

Release date: February 7, 2012 | Series: Harvard Lampoon

WINNING MEANS WEALTH, FAME, AND A LIFE OF THERAPY LOSING MEANS DEATH, BUT ALSO FAME! THIS IS THE HUNGER PAINS

When Kantkiss Neverclean replaces her sister as a contestant on the Hunger Games—the second-highest-rated reality TV show in Peaceland, behind Extreme Home Makeover—she has no idea what to expect. Having lived her entire life in the telemarketing district’s worst neighborhood, the Crack, Kantkiss feels unprepared to fight to the death while simultaneously winking and looking adorable for the cameras. But when her survival rests on choosing between the dreamy hunk from home, Carol Handsomestein, or the doughy klutz, Pita Malarkey, Kantkiss discovers that the toughest conflicts may not be found on the battlefield but in her own heart . . . which is unfortunately on a battlefield.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Hunger Pains really struck a chord with me." —Kantkiss, protagonist of The Hunger Pains

"Instead of the Bible, rooms should come with a copy of The Hunger Pains."  —Sheraton Hotel Memo

"This book makes me wish I'd never been shot."  —Abraham Lincoln

"The book always falls through my hands, but in an undeniably funny way." —A Ghost

About the Author

The Harvard Lampoon debuted in February 1876 and is the world's longest continually published humor magazine. Written by seven undergraduates and modeled on Punch, the British humor magazine, the debut issue took the Harvard campus by storm. United States President Ulysses S. Grant was advised not to read the magazine, as he would be too much “in stitches” to run the government. Harvard Lampoon alumni include comedians Conan O'Brien, Andy Borowitz, Greg Daniels, Jim Downey, Al Jean, and B.J. Novak. Lampoon alumni write and have written for Saturday Night Live, The Simpsons, Futurama, Late Night with David Letterman, Seinfeld, The League, NewsRadio, The Office, 30 Rock, Parks and Recreation, and dozens of others. The Lampoon has also graduated many noted authors, such as George Plimpton, George Santayana, and John Updike.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Touchstone; Original edition (February 7, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1451668201
• ISBN-13: 978-1451668209
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (118 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #37,826 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #33 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Humor > Jokes & Riddles
  • #73 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Humor > Parodies
  • #95 in Office Products > Office Supplies > Calendars, Planners & Personal Organizers

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

58 of 68 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Painful to read, not that funny April 29, 2012

By soren121

Format:Paperback

First, I'm not a diehard Hunger Games fan like some of the other reviewers here. I've read the books, and enjoyed them. I also enjoy parodies, though not this one.

There is no smart or intelligent humor in this book. Basically, what the writers did was take a piece of the plot and completely turn it inside out. Instead of being a coal mining district, District 12 does telemarketing. Instead of Katniss being smart and brave, she is as dim-witted as a sack of bricks and horrifyingly ugly. Initially, these jokes might strike you as sort of funny, and might elicit a small smile. But they often take the joke and just RUN with it, making it painfully unfunny.

I feel like very little effort was put into the book. If I were to imagine the writing process, I'd imagine that they sat in a room, threw ideas at the wall, and every single idea was written into the book. Then they went home for the day, and the book was sent to the publisher.

I would hesitate to even call The Hunger Pains a parody. It doesn't point out comedy in the real books, or do much, if any, commentary. It takes the real plot, and turns it into a mind-numbingly stupid mess.

After about 90 pages, I stopped reading and gave the book back to the friend I borrowed it from. I felt like I deserved a refund, and I didn't even pay for the book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars It was a waste of money. August 12, 2012

By AJR

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

If i could rate The Hunger Pains only half a star, i would. I think it was a huge waste of money. I read many reviews saying how hilarious this book is, so i bought it, but to me it was just immature. One minute it is talking about farting, and the next it is a bit inapropriate. i would not recommend this book for kids under 13.

When i read the sample of The Hunger Pains, it was a litte funny, and i got a laugh out of a couple things. But when I bought the book, it was like the writers didn't put any thought into it once they got past the first two chapters. It was like they took each sentence out of the book and replaced a few words with 'fart' or 'poop'. In the book, Kantkiss (Katniss)is so dumb and stupid, its not even funny, like trying to run strait through a fence, thinking a baby was laughing when it was actually suffocating with it's face in a pillow, and not knowing what to do with a shovel she was sent when she was trying to dig a hole with her hands. Also, the games in The Hunger Pains arent even realistic, because Kantkiss gets everything she asks for from her sponsors.

The Hunger Pains is so short, i finished it in about a day and a half. The games themselves only last about 50 or 60 pages.

So, like i said before, The Hunger Pains is immature, not funny, and not worth $10.

24 of 31 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Not that funny April 12, 2012

By dusty

Format:Paperback

While this wasn't horrible it wasn't all that funny either. I got about half way through and was truly bored because it was just more of the same type of humor. I did find the modifications of names, places and events creative and humorous, some more than others and when you first start the book, it is entertaining with this approach and you will recognized the original plot which it sticks to closely. That is definitely a plus for Hunger Games fans and part of the fun of reading this as opposed to other parodies that are fart and poop type of jokes with no plot. This is never offensive in that way. However, some parts are odd and not funny at all. It may also change your way you look at Peta and Gayle. If you're a fan of Peta, you might not like this at all. The problem for me was eventually, the humor became repetitive and while it went along with the story, the jokes were predictable and I lost interest.