Mockingjay

Book – Mockingjay (#3, ‘The Hunger Games’ trilogy)

Author – Suzanne Collins
Publisher – Scholastic

 Cover Price – Rs. 295

"I no longer feel any allegiance to these monsters called human beings, despise being one myself. I think that Peeta was onto something about us destroying one another and lettng some decent species take over. Because something is significantly wrong with a creature that sacrifices its children’s lives to settle its differences. You can spin it any way you like. Snow thought the Hunger Games were an efficient means of control. Coin thought the parachutes would expedite the war. But in the end, who does it benefit? No one. The truth is, it benefits no one to live in a world where these things happen."

This paragraph sums up 'The Hunger Games' (and its fallout) so beautifully, that it almost takes your breath away. Essentially, it's not anything new that Collins tells us - this thing that the world is like a venomous snake that has bitten into its own tail and refuses to let go - but the way she goes about in her narration.. Mostly lucid, and almost always sticking to a central theme.

"We learn to keep busy again. Peeta bakes. I hunt. Haymitch drinks until the liquor runs out, and then raises geese until the next train arrives. Fortunately, the geese can take pretty good care of themselves. We’re not alone. A few hundred others return because, whatever has happened, this is our home. With the mines closed, they plow the ashes into the earth and plant food. Machines from the Capitol break ground for a new factory where we will make medicines. Although no one seeds it, the Meadow turns green again." - the peace, or whatever it amounted too, was needed. Really needed. Like air. The way Collins brings it to the characters is well-planned. Perhaps a little obvious, yes, but still well portrayed.

"My children, who don’t know they play on a graveyard." - the war may be over, but the repercussions will always be there and thereabouts.. This line was particularly brilliant, I thought.. Respect.

A fitting end to a masterfully scripted trilogy. Yes, the pace appears to be a little forced at places, but then the first two were so good that Collins was facing very tough competition from herself.. That she did such a commendable job is what really carries the day.

p.s. And it had to be Peeta. "Always.."