Mockingjay: Please tell me this is going to get better.

[alexandral]

I am through about 40% of "Mockingjay", and dear friends list, I am getting seriously annoyed. Katniss is undergoing what is probably the worst ever character development in the history of fiction.

Where is Katniss that was a strong survivor? Where? When was she replaced by this whiny clueless mess:

- "No-one is telling me anything! My life is a woooooooooe!" Me: no-one is telling her anything because she is naïve beyond any belief (to the point where her naivety has become brain-deficiency) and throws tantrums all the time?

- "EVERYONE IS EVIL! Capitol is EVIL! Rebels ARE EVIL! Everyone is evil! Even Haymitch! How dares he to try to keep me alive! Even cats are evil!". Me: I am eye-rolling so hard my eyes are in danger.

- "Everyone died because of Meeeeeeeeee! I should have died! Died!" . Me: Katniss, get a grip on yourself. Please get a grip.

- "Oh no! Look at poor me suffering so much when watching Peeta tortured on TV! I passed out! And I raged! " Me: Peeta is tortured. PEETA. How come it is all about YOU?

Leaving my "I am so annoyed at this" feelings aside and trying to be rational: the character development of Katniss is that of Sansa Stark (A Song of Ice and Fire) in reverse. Sansa starts as young and terribly naïve and grows into a survivor. Katniss starts as a survivor and disintegrates into a puddle of jelly with no brains.

Please tell me this is going to get better. As it stands now, I think Katniss is as good a role model to young girls as Bella (Twilight), just in a different way (no brains, tantrums, "me me me" attitude)! I am so horrified that this is supposed to be "a feminist book for young adults".

PS: Shall I keep listening? There are 6.5 more hours of this! Or shall I give up, find the spoilers, and move on to some better books?

Comments

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

The descriptions of dresses and outfits were too lengthy, too detailed, too loving, and too MATERIALISTIC. I found them to be very hypocritical because in the same book the author is trying to criticize materialism.

I thought Katniss was "not really stupid" at first, but in Mockinjay I was practically rolling my eyes.

Post Games, you have to admit Haymitch did use her, and without her knowledge. That has to bring up some trust issues.

BUT HE SAVED HER LIFE (and not just for the rebel cause). Well, this is what I mean about "clueless" - how would she not see that the plan would have never worked if she knew! Because, let's face it, she is so naive there was no chance for her to be able to hide anything (or not to start throwing tantrums).

But in seriousness, this series is such a terrible case of broken expectations for me that I honestly am all just "grgrgrgrgrgrgrgr" and other incoherent stuff. It started so well and disintegrated into such a mess! And I am not even talking about problems with worldbulding and narrative. Or with the fact that Collins "borrowed" so much from various sources. I am just raging about the "murder" of Katniss' character in this post.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I agree.

You see, looking back, it seems that all the good ideas was actually the stuff that was "borrowed" from various sources. Collins managed to spoil the single good thing that was her own, the charcter of Katniss.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

and think she's definitely one of the stronger women I've read in fiction lately.

You see, this is the PROBLEM. If she is one of the strongest, what about the others? When even the strongest woman is still weaker than a man (Peeta, for example)?

[intermezzo]

Oh man, I'm not up for a discussion that requires thinky thoughts and articulate answers. Not now anyway.

i didn't find Katniss particularly bad in Mockingjay. I mean, yes, she suffered from a meltdown or whatever you want to call it in the beginning of the book, but I guess it was understandable after what she went through. Was I annoyed at her? Every now and then yes, but I never particularly liked her character, not even in the first book. I was more annoyed at her indecisiveness re: Peeta vs Gale. Now, that was annoying imho.

If you want strong layered female characters, do read The Inheritancy Trilogy. It's AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMAZING!!! I've read all 3 books MULTIPLE times and every time, I swear, EVERY TIME, I fall in love with them a little bit harder and also? I notice more details and more awesomeness. There's no gender/race/[insert topic] fail in those books whatsoever. I LOOOOOVE that they tackle issues like biraciality in concrete ways and...there are awesome, awesome characters and the worldbuilding is incredible and alskdjkalhflkjahsdl Did I mention there are female warriors who kick ass in sooo many ways? And terrible gods that struggle and hate and love? And also gay love stories although----okay, not saying anything else cos I don't want to spoil the books for you. And hahah, omg, now I need to re-read them aaaaaall.

[kem-viva.livejournal.com]

Totally agree with what your saying, I really disliked Mockingjay too but I think you should still finish it. I don't think its completely fair to critique a series unless you've read all of it (and it will give you a lot more arguing points :p).

I really couldnt stand Katniss in Mockingjay, I wouldn't say I found her selfish, just obnoxiously self-righteous. Most of it had to do with the failure of the author though, the world building is a total fail, I feel like you have just a faint taste of who the people of District 12 are and why they act like they do. I think its totally unfair to them tbh. Also she completely failed at portraying PTSD imo, she puts Katniss through so much torture but then the way she makes her seem after is just wrong. She does seem selfish at points, yes, but I think that is just the authors failings at showing her coping. It might also have to do with it being a young adult book instead of an adult book, but if that is the case I would say she should not tackle such dense subjects if they arent going to be handled right.

[wildtiger7.livejournal.com]

Katniss's naivete was my main problem with "Catching Fire", I am glad I didn't read Mockingjay if she only gets worse.

[kem-viva.livejournal.com]

jumping in here (sorry alexandral)

I thought you meant that dragon book Inheritance trilogy at first, but those actually look really interesting so I might just check them out, thanks!

[geeklee.livejournal.com]

I agree. The series looks really interesting!

[geeklee.livejournal.com]

I actually found it clever that they find themselves back in the arena. I actually thought they'd be in haymitch's shoes in catching fire at first.

But I agree the worldbuilding was very weak. Again, I really don't think Collins cared about Panem. Just her message.

[geeklee.livejournal.com]

Wow. It seems I missed the fireworks. Since others have already shared it, I was also disappointed by katniss' character arc. While I agree EVERYONE (not just girls) is entitled to their feelings and it is always valid but books so frequently show the female characters being extremely emotional. I loved early katniss because she was different. She showed so much courage and strength when she was so young. It's hard to enjoy her falling apart, regardless of how realistic that may seem.

Lots of fans of "PTSD katniss" talk about how tired they are of she-roes. Are there really that many? And wasn't she more of a she-ro at 14 than she is now? (shakes head) Ok, she is bound to feel trauma from being in the arena twice. But I agree with you alexandral, others aren't hiding in closets. Sure they all have their crosses to bear but they appear to be handling it better. Again, the girl of the story isn't managing as well.

Her actions in district 13 makes me question how she did so much in the first books. I do believe we all have our breaking points and I guess it was all just too much for katniss. Even if all the others managed to pull through. That's the part that pisses me off about katniss. She's the only one hiding in the closet.

I also agree she's been horribly manipulated by the capital but goodness hasn't everyone who entered the arena or had a member of their family enter it? She started off so amazing and now she's so broken. So yes Collins, we get it. Life sucks.

[mookiehyun.livejournal.com]

I didn't get any better.... by the end of MockingJay, I pretty much lost all my initial goodwill of Hunger Game.

[stoopid-silly.livejournal.com]

i'm so enjoying your comments on these books, because they are so like mine. literally everyone else i know really lovved it. the endings okay, i'd say finish.

[charlie-bz.livejournal.com]

It gets marginally better for a wee bit but not enough to save this book. Too bad! Very disappointing end to an intriguing series.

[queenofthorns.livejournal.com]

Hmm, I loved Mockingjay, actually, and I thought the ending was perfectly fitting and foreshadowed in the earlier books. But it seems that you don't like the series very much anyway, so perhaps you should just quit and not waste your time further?

[queenofthorns.livejournal.com]

I am one of like 2 people who love Mockingjay.

Heh! You can make it three. I feel so alone in fandom - even the friends who introduced me to the series HATED Mockingjay and I honestly don't get that. I feel like its events were completely foreshadowed early on, and I loved what transpired at the end (trying not to be spoilery.)

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Honestly, QoT, I am about too. This series is probably the worst possible case of wasted expectations (and misrepresentation: I will debate to death that this series is as close to feminist fiction as Twilight) I had for a while. The lesson for me: always check the ending. :D I usually do check the ending, as you know,, but here I thought: oh, this is such a winning formula, what can go wrong?

One and only positive thing is that I am looking at Harry Potter in completely different light. HP is much better series, and on many many levels.

[queenofthorns.livejournal.com]

I think we are going to have to agree to disagree about this. I didn't find the Harry Potter books nearly as engaging or riveting as The Hunger Games books and I have absolutely no inclination to reread them or to see any of the films once I knew the ending of the series, which is the opposite of how I feel about Collins's work. And I find Katniss an extremely strong female character, not in the sense that she's always perfect or right, but in the sense that I find her completely compelling. I haven't read Twilight, so I can't comment on that comparison.

ETA: I do understand how you feel (albeit in a slightly different way) because I loved the first two books of Philip Pullman's trilogy and absolutely hated the last one to the point where it spoiled the entire series for me. I just have absolutely the opposite reaction to the Collins' books.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I am not a big fan of Harry Potter as you know, but I have to admit that the series had strong worldbuilding, and great female charcters.

Where Katniss, whom I liked very much at first disintegrated into naive, indecisive and "dim" mess. I must say, her character is one of those I would most definitely not recommend my daughter to read about: a) low intelligence, b) tantrums, c) using two boys at once. I definitely don't see teenage girls as this over-emotional mess.

PS: I am sorry, I know you liked the books! But I am really angry at this series, and I feel I have good reasons to be angry! ** angry **

PS2: And I am not even starting the plagiarism debate again. The first book (the one that was very close to Battle Royale) was definitely much much better than the other two. it could have been a good book on its own.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

PS: and don't start me on Pullman. I agree with you completely here. he really wasted such a great series.

[queenofthorns.livejournal.com]

You don't have to apologize to me for not loving something I love, and your reasons for not liking the series are obviously totally valid, just as my reasons for loving it are also valid. I guess I object to the idea that "rationality" enters into our personal preferences (as per your original post) because that implies that I and those who do love the series are irrational as opposed to the rationality of hating it. I don't think our personal preferences are ever entirely the result of rationality.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

You are so eloquent , as always. And yes, I completely agree - for me two opposite opinions can be completely valid.

I just object to statements like "Oh no, you are reading it all wrong" on principle. :D

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I thought that I have to let you know that I object to statements "I think you are reading the text completely wrong" on principle. :D because I am sure if I am entitled to something, this something is at least my opinions about fictional characters. :D

And of course, you are entitled to yours too! but I object to the idea that your or mine opinions can be somehow more valid.. I thought I have to say this.. :D

[thehibiscus.livejournal.com]

Um... that's the point of the descriptions. To make the reader aware of the materialism rampant in the Capitol.

Sorry to be jumping into a heated discussion but I want to join too!

[joie-de-vivre3.livejournal.com]

To preface, "Mockingjay" wasn't my favorite in the series nor the first.With that said, I thought the one thing the last book did well was showing the disintegration of Katniss which for me was pretty realistic. I'm gonna argue point by point with you since I like bulleting style :)

1) I think this issue goes back to your dislike of HG world building so for you the Arena battling wasn't enough of a traumatic experience, but for me, it was pretty hellish. I mean to be thrown together in this confined spaced with people constantly trying to murder you, and you're constantly debating whether you should become a murderer to save yourself is as hellish as I can imagine. Personally, if I was her, I probably just jump off a cliff and be done with it because I certainly can't take that kind of pressure.

2) I feel a tad offended by this point because it's almost like you're victim blaming. Everyone have a different way to cope and different time to heal so to say " HOW DARE YOU NOT COPING WITH THIS WHEN EVERYONE ELSE IS A-OK!?" is just unsympathetic.And I think it was quite brave of Collins to lead Katniss towards this path of character development. While Katniss is extremely capable and badass, she's still human and thus she reacted probably like how most humans would react to such extreme situations. She broke down.

3) I think a main flaw with Katniss is that she doesn't put her trusts in many which I think is a result of the crappy world she lives in. So for Haymitch to use her as a pawn makes that teetering trust she had in him to be shaky once again. Furthermore, she's rarely given a chance to act on her own agency. She's continuously being thrown in situations not of her own makings. Plus she's angry, deeply angry that she was saved at the expense of Peeta. The girl was unhinged enough that she was trying to find Peeta to kill him and spare him the pain at the end of book 2. So for her to distrust the whole establishment and not paying particular attention to the finer details of the whole plan is understandable to me. Plus, another character trait for Katniss is that while smart and resourceful, she's not cunning. She's not particularly adept at maneuvering people for her own gains. Look at her attempts with Peeta which was pretty awkward and nonexistent. If Peeta wasn't in love with her, her whole attempt would pretty much kaput from the get go.

4) I don't really see how Katniss is selfish. Granted my memory of the book is hazy now so I can't recall words for words her reaction to Peeta's torture. Even if let's say her reaction was "my heart is breaking", what's so bad about that? What's so bad about hurting on someone's behalf so badly that you feel as if your heart is breaking? That to me doesn't read selfishness.

Despite my lengthy contradictions with your points, I totally understand that every book is up for interpretation which is what make reading so cool =D I just want to put in my two cents (or more like dollars b/c man, long post!) because you said that Katniss is as bad as Bella which make me very sad on Katniss' behalf. And I'm not even a fan of this series! But Bella would so die right off in the arena, man! We know this. hur

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Hmm, I am afraid you misunderstand my meaning. What I mean is: the way I read it, Collins is so much in love with the numerous, abundant and beautiful descriptions (there are so many of them it seems as if I am reading a fashion magazine) of Cinna's dresses that this clashes with her attempt to criticise materialism . This smells of hypocrisy.