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The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Fundamentally, the human being is a trained puppet. When all strings are cut, humans descend into a battle between chaos and control. Essentially, this is exactly what The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes talks about.
Our talented author, Suzanne Collins, has written a plethora of books which I have taken the great pleasure to read. However, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes stood out to me particularly. Just a month ago, the movie based on this book was released, so why don’t we all dive into the somber and withered tale that this novel presents!
Being a prequel to the Hunger Games series, this book highlights the story of Coriolanus Snow, the president of the dystopian country of Panem. It vividly describes Coriolanus’ journey from being a poor boy from a previously wealthy and affluent family to being one of the masterminds of the Hunger Games, a horrid kind of television show where children are forced into a particular area and are made to kill each other ruthlessly. As is obvious, the last 'tribute' or person standing wins.
Here, we focus on the 10th Annual Hunger Games, where Coriolanus is tasked with mentoring and helping one tribute of the runt in the Hunger Games. This is where we finally get an appearance from the second protagonist who just so happens to be Lucy Gray Baird.
Lucy Gray is vibrant, daunting, and brave. Being a singer and performer, Lucy Gray brings in a very light and wholesome feeling to the novel. Cracking clever and absolutely hilarious, she is definitely the best character in the novel. What appealed to me the most was her outstanding character arc and how perfectly her role in the story was molded.
Coriolanus Snow, on the other hand, is the opposite. In the story, all he works for is money, power, and glory. Yes, he cares about his family, which includes his cousin, Tigris, and his grandma. However, soon, along the course of the book, he loses sight of his duty and strives for the wrong ideals. Even so, I really think Suzanne Collins managed to make him extremely humane, which kind of distracts one from his massive red flags.(Read the Hunger Games trilogy)
As the novel progresses, the plot thickens. REALLY THICKENS. We find Coriolanus make compelling choices, horrendous decisions, and become something that is unrecognizable from the boy introduced in the beginning of the story. At the same exact time, we get to see a blooming romance between Snow and Lucy Gray, which, as in most dystopian novels, takes a turn for the worse. We find ourselves at crossroads, unable to discern right from wrong. And to be honest, that’s the beauty of the book. Trust me when I say my moral compass was all over the place reading this masterpiece of a book!
Finally, though, the story comes together like pieces of a puzzle, and in my perspective, the novel turns into a shrouded mystery!
The best part of the novel, in my opinion, was the disturbing foreshadowing. Of course, to understand the references, one should read the Hunger Games trilogy; however, doing so isn’t compulsory. The book works like a standalone yet ties into being a prequel. Duality, I guess? The callbacks to The Mockingjay and the songs written by Lucy Gray create a spooky and eerie atmosphere in the second and third part of the book. Imagine me giving a big thumbs up to Suzanne Collins.
So, from my rant above, I'm sure you must have guessed that I have officially re-entered my Hunger Games phase and am definitely not going to budge for a few months. So, as a fellow fan, I urge you to read A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and, if it inspires you, the Hunger Games trilogy as well because, why not? Anyways, in the end, snow lands on top!
P.S - The soundtracks of the movies are AMAZING.
Blogger Enthusiast: Shreelekha Shinde
Introducing Shreelekha Shinde, a Blogger Enthusiast under the enchanting banner of RidhzWorld Publishing. At just eighth-grade, Shreelekha embraces the precious gift of literacy, revelling in the power of reading and writing.
Embarking on a thrilling journey into the blogosphere, Shreelekha has partnered with RidhzWorld Publications to offer readers a captivating glimpse into her unique perspective on life, her literary preferences, and her talent for imaginative storytelling.
More about Shreelekha
A passionate lover of music, Shreelekha's musical tastes span a wide spectrum, from the enchanting melodies of Taylor Swift and Lana Del Rey to the intricate rhythms of Indian Classical music. Not only does she appreciate the beauty of music, but she also possesses remarkable abilities in singing and dancing, finding true joy in every aspect of her life. Shreelekha attributes her happiness not only to her beloved family but also to the unwavering support she receives from her mother. With unwavering confidence, Shreelekha believes her blogging journey will be an unforgettable and immensely enjoyable adventure. She wholeheartedly invites you, dear reader, to join her on this exhilarating ride. Stay tuned for her upcoming blog posts and let's meet again in her next enthralling instalment!