Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
The Hunger summary
Brief summary
The Hunger by Alma Katsu is a gripping historical horror novel that reimagines the harrowing story of the Donner Party. Blending fact with chilling supernatural elements, it delves into the group's desperate fight for survival amidst an unforgiving wilderness.
Topics
Table of Contents
The Hunger
Summary of key ideas
The Journey Begins
In The Hunger by Alma Katsu, we are taken on a harrowing journey with the Donner Party, a group of pioneers traveling westward in 1846. The story begins with the group setting out from Springfield, Illinois, full of hope and excitement for the new life that awaits them in California. The party is led by George Donner and James Reed, two men with different leadership styles, and the group is made up of various families, each with their own unique dynamics and secrets.
As the journey progresses, the group faces numerous challenges, including harsh weather, dwindling supplies, and internal conflicts. The author does an excellent job of portraying the growing desperation and fear among the travelers as they realize that they might not reach their destination before winter sets in. The tension within the group increases, and we start to see the first signs of the darkness that will soon consume them.
The Unseen Threat
As the pioneers continue their journey, strange and unsettling events begin to occur. People start to go missing, and the remaining members of the party are haunted by eerie dreams and unexplained phenomena. The author masterfully weaves in elements of horror and the supernatural, leaving the reader with a sense of unease and foreboding. The travelers' fear of the unknown becomes as much of a threat as the physical dangers they face.
Despite their growing unease, the Donner Party presses on, unaware of the true danger lurking in the shadows. The group's situation becomes increasingly dire as they find themselves trapped by early snowfall in the Sierra Nevada mountains. With their supplies running out and no hope of rescue, the pioneers are forced to make unimaginable choices in order to survive.
A Descent into Darkness
As the situation worsens, the group's unity disintegrates, and the true nature of the individuals is revealed. The once hopeful and optimistic travelers are now consumed by fear, desperation, and suspicion. The author delves deep into the psychology of survival, showing how ordinary people can be driven to commit horrific acts under extreme circumstances.
Amidst this chaos, the supernatural elements of the story become more pronounced. The travelers are tormented by terrifying visions and inexplicable occurrences, leading them to question their sanity and the very nature of the world around them. The line between reality and nightmare blurs, adding an extra layer of horror to their already dire situation.
The Final Descent
As the winter deepens, the situation for the Donner Party becomes increasingly hopeless. The pioneers are forced to resort to cannibalism in order to survive, a grim reality that is depicted with unflinching detail by the author. The once vibrant and hopeful group is reduced to a mere shadow of its former self, with death and despair surrounding them at every turn.
In the end, only a few members of the Donner Party survive, and they are forever scarred by the horrors they endured. The Hunger is a haunting and visceral exploration of the human capacity for both resilience and darkness. It is a story of survival at any cost, and the terrible price that sometimes comes with it.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is The Hunger about?
The Hunger by Alma Katsu is a chilling blend of historical fiction and horror. Set during the ill-fated Donner Party journey in 1846, the book weaves a tale of desperation, survival, and the supernatural. As the group becomes stranded in the Sierra Nevada mountains, they must confront not only the harsh elements and their own inner demons, but also a malevolent force that preys on their deepest fears.
The Hunger Review
The Hunger (2018) takes readers on a chilling journey through the ill-fated Donner Party's harrowing experience in 1846. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- With its haunting atmosphere and gripping plot, it immerses readers in the terrifying struggle for survival, keeping them on the edge of their seats.
- The book skillfully blends historical facts with a supernatural twist, adding an intriguing layer of mystery and intrigue.
- Through its well-developed characters and their complex relationships, the book explores themes of sacrifice, desperation, and the darkness within us all, creating a compelling and thought-provoking narrative.
Who should read The Hunger?
- Readers who enjoy supernatural and historical fiction
- Those curious about the darker aspects of human nature and the unexplainable
- Individuals who appreciate atmospheric and suspenseful storytelling
Categories with The Hunger
Book summaries like The Hunger
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
32 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
The Hunger FAQs
What is the main message of The Hunger?
The main message of The Hunger is a gripping tale of survival and horror set against the backdrop of the Donner Party's ill-fated journey.
How long does it take to read The Hunger?
The reading time for The Hunger varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Hunger a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Hunger is a haunting and suspenseful novel that is definitely worth reading. It keeps you on the edge of your seat and leaves a lasting impact.
Who is the author of The Hunger?
The author of The Hunger is Alma Katsu.
What to read after The Hunger?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Hunger, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Where Good Ideas Come From by Steven Johnson
- The Art Of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau
- A Whole New Mind by Daniel H. Pink
- Theory U by C. Otto Scharmer
- The Design of Everyday Things by Donald A. Norman
- The Innovator ’s Dilemma# by Clayton M. Christensen
- The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
- Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull with Amy Wallace
- Think Like a Freak by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
- The Laws of Simplicity by John Maeda