tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post2984112645304267067..comments2023-06-16T09:58:50.486-06:00Comments on Elitist Book Reviews: MockingjayVanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04260091806667958196noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-19559940065045952172010-09-22T23:03:35.184-06:002010-09-22T23:03:35.184-06:00Yes, MOCKINGJAY is a coming of age story because i...Yes, MOCKINGJAY is a coming of age story because it's a story with a adolescent main character who, by the end of the story, [should] have developed in some way, through the undertaking of responsibility, or by learning a lesson (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coming_of_age ; many newspapers and reviewers have labeled this a coming of age story, I'm not the only one). Did Katniss learn anything in this story? Yes, some very hard truths. Did she have responsibilities? Yes, her family and friends. Did she use what she learned, did she fulfill her responsibilities as she ought to have? Unfortunately, no.<br /><br />When I think of my daughter as reading this book (she'll be a teen in not too long), I wonder to myself: Should she look at Katniss as a role model? As my daughter grows into womanhood, should she whine and complain and stand aside while others are being mistreated and trampled? Should she advocate drug use, murder, and violence like the main characters do? Even if she's just a kid? If this is a paragon of books for the teen demographic, then I fear for the future of her generation.<br /><br />While Collins has something to say--something that's definitely important--she did it at the expense of good storytelling. Which was too bad because she could have served both purposes, but unfortunately didn't. The series started out strong, but was unable to deliver what was promised in the beginning: a resolution to the problem and Katniss fulfilling her role as the POV character.Vanessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04260091806667958196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-4560643186526976842010-09-22T14:09:59.095-06:002010-09-22T14:09:59.095-06:00I am the 'wife' mentioned above. I liked t...I am the 'wife' mentioned above. I liked the way the series ended. I liked that Katniss was a broken character at the end. I think it strengthed Collins intended message of how destructive war and power can be. I also thought it was more realistic a view than the hero overcoming all and emerging victorious. <br /><br />I don't know that the point of the story was even for it to be a coming of age book. And the reality is that in the end Katniss is NOT an adult. She's still a child of sorts who needs people to push her along and take care of her. And rightfully so, I think her experiences legitimize her lack of accepting responsibility and growing up. <br /><br />I thought it was fitting that Katniss was ambivalent about the war as well. I think she was confused and tired and unsure of who she should trust. <br /><br />The main thing I was disappointed with was Finnick's character. I feel that Collins didn't stay true to who he was at all. I don't think he ever would have gone back and fought in the Capitol city. He cared too much for Annie to take that kind of risk. His was a purposeless death. <br /><br />I also thought it was dumb when Katniss voted to have the games again. And if it was meant as some kind of test for Coin, I thin Collins did a poor job of wrapping that up.<br /><br />Finally though, as TEEN (you know, the intended audience) books go, I think this series is top notch.BBBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17987132886260743319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-73929820318464325222010-09-22T09:41:16.424-06:002010-09-22T09:41:16.424-06:00Phew! And I thought I was the only reader who foun...Phew! And I thought I was the only reader who found this book to be overrated by the known universe. Now I can forward this review to my wife...Daniel B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17402355082739032733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5518791629286178662.post-14160728532101239732010-09-22T09:38:29.526-06:002010-09-22T09:38:29.526-06:00Agree 100%. I actually wrote a review on my blog t...Agree 100%. I actually wrote a review on my blog that was almost the same as this one. Lots of my friends were POed because I didn't like this book but...it really is a step backwards instead of forward.<br />Great review!Nathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12419408922469359932noreply@blogger.com