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A review by savage_book_review
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a fitting finale to the original trilogy, sending your emotions all over the place with twists and turns that still have the power to shock even when rereading for the gazillionth time. But equally I'm always left a little 'flat' after I finish this one...
Although it's become a habit for me to watch the films shortly before or after reading the books, where I almost did a simulcast this time it was starkly clear just how different the book and the movie actually are. Somehow it's never struck me quite as forcefully before now. And (say it quietly) in some respects I think the filmmakers had the right idea. While the book is as tightly written as the others and there's nary a word wasted to move the plot along, I felt like there are too many characters that aren't used to their full potential, and so the narrative just feels a bit cluttered with them all. The film's replacement of Katniss' prep team with Effie, a character you know far better and connect with more; and their removal of Fulvia to give Plutarch the full spotlight as the clear director of the propaganda machine, seems to me to work far better. Likewise, the propo film crew and Squad 451 both feel like they have just a couple too many members who are just there as cannon fodder, and Johanna Mason is wasted as a character in this book.
I definitely think the book is effective at portraying the difficulties of rebellion, especially when the rebels are faced with the staunch Capitol supporters of District Two. Also, in Gale it does a terrifyingly good job at pointing out just how easy it is to cross the line between fighting for freedom and 'the right thing', and utilising the same tactics and techniques as your oppressors while trying to somehow justify that when they do it it's barbaric, but when you do it it's for the good of a noble cause. It's a great contrast to Peeta's character, who is doing things he doesn't truly want to do because he lacks full control.
However, there is something that I can't put my finger on that stops me fully connecting with this book. Perhaps it's the fact that it has moved away from the original premise of the Games, or that by this point we've effectively given up on the idea that the main characters are still teenagers? Bear with me here, but I also wonder if it's my subconscious rebelling against the fact that everything is more "modern" in this one. What I mean by that is, in the first two books we're immediately surrounded by 'timeless' elements - hunting with bows and arrows, swords, knives, axes etc, washing in a tin tub, herbal remedies etc - with tech only really being portrayed as Capitol excess. Whereas, in this book, suddenly we have guns, explosives, nukes and a dearth of modernity. Given that I generally prefer my fantasy books to be in that 'timeless' fashion, maybe that's what's grating?
It's still a great read, with a satisfying (if slightly cliche) ending! It's just my least favourite of the series.
Although it's become a habit for me to watch the films shortly before or after reading the books, where I almost did a simulcast this time it was starkly clear just how different the book and the movie actually are. Somehow it's never struck me quite as forcefully before now. And (say it quietly) in some respects I think the filmmakers had the right idea. While the book is as tightly written as the others and there's nary a word wasted to move the plot along, I felt like there are too many characters that aren't used to their full potential, and so the narrative just feels a bit cluttered with them all. The film's replacement of Katniss' prep team with Effie, a character you know far better and connect with more; and their removal of Fulvia to give Plutarch the full spotlight as the clear director of the propaganda machine, seems to me to work far better. Likewise, the propo film crew and Squad 451 both feel like they have just a couple too many members who are just there as cannon fodder, and Johanna Mason is wasted as a character in this book.
I definitely think the book is effective at portraying the difficulties of rebellion, especially when the rebels are faced with the staunch Capitol supporters of District Two. Also, in Gale it does a terrifyingly good job at pointing out just how easy it is to cross the line between fighting for freedom and 'the right thing', and utilising the same tactics and techniques as your oppressors while trying to somehow justify that when they do it it's barbaric, but when you do it it's for the good of a noble cause. It's a great contrast to Peeta's character, who is doing things he doesn't truly want to do because he lacks full control.
However, there is something that I can't put my finger on that stops me fully connecting with this book. Perhaps it's the fact that it has moved away from the original premise of the Games, or that by this point we've effectively given up on the idea that the main characters are still teenagers? Bear with me here, but I also wonder if it's my subconscious rebelling against the fact that everything is more "modern" in this one. What I mean by that is, in the first two books we're immediately surrounded by 'timeless' elements - hunting with bows and arrows, swords, knives, axes etc, washing in a tin tub, herbal remedies etc - with tech only really being portrayed as Capitol excess. Whereas, in this book, suddenly we have guns, explosives, nukes and a dearth of modernity. Given that I generally prefer my fantasy books to be in that 'timeless' fashion, maybe that's what's grating?
It's still a great read, with a satisfying (if slightly cliche) ending! It's just my least favourite of the series.