The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes question

Don't think I "liked" it, but I did appreciate this book for making me so furious. Not only was it an interesting villain origin that fleshed out Snow's story without any kind of "redemption", but I thought it was an effective illustration of how willful ignorance and privilege can mutate into active, everyday evil when you don't take the time to recognize it.

There were so, so many moments when Corio's POV made me stop reading to say "what the hell", "that's so selfish," "don't ignore what they're saying!" Or "that's just fucked up." These moments are meant to keep the reader cognizant that sure, this character is a human being with feelings and flaws, but his feelings and flaws consistently hurt other people, put them at risk, and even keep them in harmful situations he could arguably help them out of. He is consistently given chances to be better, to change, to help, but ultimately remains dismissive, greedy, selfish, motivated by power and status.

A good example that I missed on the first read-through is Corio's dismissal of Tigris' sacrifices for their family. When she offers him clothing for school, she mentions a struggle to get the materials, but Corio doesn't ask. He does not ask, and dismisses this opening for connection and help between himself and his cousin at a moment when it is so clear Tigris is struggling with something heavy, possibly even traumatic. And if I'm remembering correctly, his internal dialogue even ADDRESSES THIS; he even thinks something along the lines of asking, or offering help. But it would take time and effort to ask, to care, so Corio doesn't. And that's awful. Moments like those, I think, are crafted specifically to get the reader to shake the book and scream, "ASK IF SHE'S OKAY, ASSHOLE. SHE IS YOUR FAMILY."

I just think it's one of those books meant to be discussed. It didn't feel like a book I read for fun, or even for the Hunger Games history--it was a book I read so I could scream about Snow (and all the underlying, infuriating themes) to my mom, who was also reading it and feeling furious. It was a book that forced me to check my own privilege--to step back when I'm taking the easy way out, or making the selfish choices, even just in my day-to-day.

For that, I think this book is an important one.

I liked this book for the way that Collins explains the evolution of The Hunger Games. I found that fascinating. As well as the information we get about how Snow became the ambitious snake we know. It wasn't thrilling like the other novels but that wasn't the purpose of this story. Then there was the ending that was exciting and mysterious. The way that Lucy knew to run from Snow and how we never know what happened to her.

Yes, I loved it. Collins genuinely made me ship Lucy Gray and Corio for a time, until it all came crashing down in the best and worst way. A forbidden love between a girl from the seam and a capitol boy. Who wouldn't get behind that? I don't mean to overly focus on the love story and neglect the fact they are murdering children, it was rather scary how just adding betting to the games made people watch and how realistic the evil behind human nature is perceived. But I'm here to talk about Coriolanus and Lucy Gray because the toxic love is strong.

Corio thinking or Lucy gray as "his girl" was possessive considering the context in which he thought that. He seemed to view her as more of an object, a pretty thing with a pretty voice. And I'm not entirely convinced Lucy loved Coriolanus at all. She's smart, she knew he could help her win and she used her charm to get his help. Maybe while in the arena, while she was completely alone, she did miss him and his company. Maybe having someone trying to protect her was what she needed. Maybe while fighting for her life she felt him fighting alongside her. We'll never know.

What ever it was, they used each other until the other stopped playing the game. They never really left the arena.

The fact is, Lucy Gray first caught Coriolanus attention while she sang, which is awfully similar to how manipulated snakes with her song in the games. And Corio hates mockingjays. He shot them out of the trees and in the end he was left hunting Lucy Gray.