Reviewing ‘The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ by Suzanne Collins
I finished reading the book last month yet it took me long enough to form my words altogether into coherent sentences. What happened is, I listened to Can’t Catch Me Now last night and I was suddenly inspired (I do think you shall do likewise if you are in the midst of reading the book yourself)
So while it is still fresh in my mind, I would like to pour out my thoughts into writing and share why everyone should also read this (beside thinking it is such a good book) I, too, would like to say Suzanne Collins is truly a brilliant writer supported by reasons that I will list down below.
When you view the ratings on Goodreads, TBOSAS has a quite enormous gap separating the prequel from the well-loved trilogy. I’ve been seeing mixed reviews of the said book and truth be told, it made me hesitant to pick it up in the first place. If you are faced with the same dilemma, here, let me give you reassurance: read it. You probably deem Coriolanus Snow’s point of view unnecessary, read it anyway. Read and see that it’s not merely a nice addition to the trilogy, for I think the book completes the story, making it whole.
Important: Please note that my interpretation comes from the book (as I have yet to watch the movie) And if you wish to proceed, you agree to be spoiled of the book’s contents.
“You can blame it on the circumstances, the environment, but you made the choices you made, no one else.”
As we all know, TBOSAS is told from Coriolanus Snow’s point of view when he was eighteen years old, during his first ever experience in mentorship for the Games. Several people may perceive it through the wrong lens; some disapprove its existence lest his actions are being justified by the readers, while others do humanize his misdeeds. Here is what I can tell my fellow readers, you can try to understand what drives people to do evil while not normalizing them.
Suzanne Collins did a splendid job at portraying Coriolanus Snow as a pitiful boy who was striving to let his family legacy live on. He did everything by all means to keep the name Snow secure, pure, and untainted. He was often ashamed to be seen weak or to be looked down by others, especially those he considered to be inferior. He was surrounded by good friends; putting that into account, it’s as if he was being offered opportunities to be good, yet he wasted it every time by regarding them nuisances. I find it amusing that Tigris and Snow grew up to be so different from each other despite being raised in the same circumstances.
One of Coryo’s good friends, Sejanus, definitely deserved better treatment from him. With every conversation they both shared, it was evidently clear that he did not once think they are equal by social rank. In Coryo’s field of vision, Sejanus had always been the ungrateful district boy that failed to use his father’s influence to his advantage. Something that was out of Coryo’s grasp despite him badly yearning for it.
Moving on to Coryo’s “relationship” with Lucy, it was never based on love. I could argue about it for hours with no one able to convince me otherwise. Coryo liked asserting dominance over Lucy Gray, his walking trophy, his key to success. If you paid a close attention, it would be apparent that he referred her as an adornment of himself. It mattered less that she survived the Games, only that she brought a lasting impact on people. I’d also like to believe that Lucy was not so drunk in love, she was simply finding ways to survive.
So, I wondered, when I came across a comment from someone a few days back expressing their disappointment of Lucy Gray’s betrayal toward Coryo. It baffled me so much that I was unsure if we even read the same book. How could they call it “betrayal” when Coryo only thought of her as a pretty little bird, meant to be caged and controlled? He was even tempted to switch Lucy Gray with Sejanus’ tribute, though in the end he decided to keep her due to her fame. Tell me, how is this love?
16%
To win with Lucy Gray would be an incredible long shot but historic if he pulled it off. Besides, was winning even the point? Or was it to engage the audience? Thanks to him, Lucy Gray was the current star of the Games, the most memorable tribute no matter who won.
29%
Coriolanus had never really considered her a victor in the Games. It had never been part of his strategy to make her one. He had only wished that her charm and appeal would rub off on him and make him a success.
32%
His girl. His. Here in the Capitol, it was a given that Lucy Gray belonged to him.
35%
He’d loved the unfamiliar sense of safety that their defeat had brought. The security that could only come with power. The ability to control things. Yes, that was what he’d loved best of all.
78%
A few other birds in the area picked it up and wove it into a harmonic fabric, which again reminded him of the Covey with their old songs.
“We should kill them all.” The words slipped out before he could stop them.
93%
He had to think of just the right way to break the news. But what would that be? “I love you deeply, but I love officers’ school more?”
All he could think is himself. Inventing those ideas about sponsorship and what not. I don’t know, don’t you feel it sickening that Coryo suggested such thing, not letting the tributes starve long enough for it to be the cause of natural death, but turning it into a fuel to eagerly beat the competitors? How many more children have to hurt for the whole world to open their eyes and realize that it is not justice?
I’ve seen theories about Lucy Gray’s identity in the later years. While I don’t know for certain, I think what matters the most is she is free. Snow, on the other hand, is haunted for the rest of his life.
But I’m in the trees, I’m in the breeze
My footsteps on the ground
You see my face in every place
But you can’t catch me now
Katniss Everdeen is his living reminder that the show’s not over until the mockingjay sings.
