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A review by forestfloor
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Collins writing engages me just as much as when I read the original Hunger Games books.
Having heard other people discuss this story I was worried that Snow would be humanised too much in the text but I think the narrative does an excellent job of balancing the line between telling a human character's story from his perspective, and making sure he doesn't gain the audience's empathy. Snow is now be lent context that causes him to seem less like an other worldly monster, as he appears to Katniss. Now, he is a person, but Collins ensures it is clear throughout that while he is a person, he's a bad one, constantly making evil choices.
While I think it's of merit to the story, I did at times find Snow's entitled, arrogant, disdainful, hypocritical, manipulative, and controlling manner to be uncomfortable to read, particularly in how this spills over into the portrayal of Lucy Gray as something of an exotic manic pixie dream girl. However, as I say, I think this is consistent with the perspective and important for the story, and Collins writes in a way that allows you to feel that Snow's behaviours are condemned, even as he justifies them to himself.
Wonderful tie ins to the Hunger Games trilogy throughout, and a very enjoyable read.
Having heard other people discuss this story I was worried that Snow would be humanised too much in the text but I think the narrative does an excellent job of balancing the line between telling a human character's story from his perspective, and making sure he doesn't gain the audience's empathy. Snow is now be lent context that causes him to seem less like an other worldly monster, as he appears to Katniss. Now, he is a person, but Collins ensures it is clear throughout that while he is a person, he's a bad one, constantly making evil choices.
While I think it's of merit to the story, I did at times find Snow's entitled, arrogant, disdainful, hypocritical, manipulative, and controlling manner to be uncomfortable to read, particularly in how this spills over into the portrayal of Lucy Gray as something of an exotic manic pixie dream girl. However, as I say, I think this is consistent with the perspective and important for the story, and Collins writes in a way that allows you to feel that Snow's behaviours are condemned, even as he justifies them to himself.
Wonderful tie ins to the Hunger Games trilogy throughout, and a very enjoyable read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Cannibalism and Drug abuse
Minor: Vomit and Suicidal thoughts