The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Title: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Author: Suzanne Collins
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Genre: Dystopian Fiction, Young Adult
Year of Publication: 2020
Date of Publication: May 19, 2020
Pages: 528
ISBN-10: 1338635174
ISBN-13: 978-1338635171

Summary

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a prequel to The Hunger Games series, focusing on the early life of Coriolanus Snow, who later becomes the tyrannical president of Panem. 

The novel explores his role as a mentor in the 10th Hunger Games and his complex relationship with a tribute named Lucy Gray Baird.

Main Plot & Characters

Coriolanus Snow, an ambitious student from a once-prominent family, is assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird, a tribute from District 12. 

As he guides her through the Games, their bond deepens, leading Snow to confront his morals and ambitions. 

The story is about the origins of the Hunger Games and Snow’s transformation into a figure of power.

Key Themes of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

• Power and Corruption: Explores the allure of power and its corrupting influence.
• Identity and Ambition: Examines the shaping of one’s identity through choices and desires.
• Morality and Survival: Highlights ethical dilemmas in the face of survival.
• Societal Control: Depicts the mechanisms of control within a dystopian society.

Writing Style

Suzanne Collins employs a third-person narrative, providing insight into Snow’s psyche. 

Her descriptions allows readers understand the Hunger Games universe.

Impact of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

The novel expanded the Hunger Games franchise and allows readers view a new perspective on its antagonist.

In 2023, the movie The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes was released. The movie was directed by Francis Lawrence.

Have you read this book already, or is it on your list? And if you’ve read it, which scene or chapter left the biggest impression on you, and why?