Channi

I don't agree with everything Bell Hooks has to say here, but when I agree, her words are either enlightening or cathartic to hear. 

A Ballad Of Songbirds and Snakes is such an interesting character study of how a person can spiral into the worst version of themselves. Snow is, even at his best, a terribly selfish and possessive man. Every character in this book shows different sides to humanity, and it does so brilliantly. Katniss was Snow's karma in so many ways. 

Everything about The Secret History is nuanced, but nothing more nuanced than the way this book made me feel. The first 200 pages are overwhelmingly boring that I almost dnf'd, the rest is certainly compelling, though often uncomfortable. Everybody is so unlikable, but nobody more than Richard: a walking embodiment of sexism and internalized homophobia, choosing his own isolation and knowingly deciding that the only who he would dare relate to are the most pretentious people he could find.

I understand a lot of this was the point and acknowledge that The Secret History is a blueprint for many novels, but I find some dark academia has explored the same themes in a way that I personally found more nuanced and interesting. 

Catching Fire is the definition of a perfect sequel. 

I hated the writing style.