If you haven't finished the third book in The Hunger Games series, Mockingjay, by Suzanne Collins- go do it now- then read this post. SPOILER ALERT!****I LOVE The Hunger Games. Since I started the series in January the books have been on my mind often. I love the characters- especially Katniss and her selflessness towards her sister and Peeta and his calm demeanor in the face of so much fear. To say I was excited to read Mockingjay would be an understatement.
I finished the last book over a week ago, and at this point I can say that I did like the book. It still drew me in, although I have to admit that I felt the novel to be a little rushed. (I feel this way with most final novels in a series. Maybe it's because I don't really want them to end????) I feel like so much happened during the rebellion that I would have liked more time to really digest all that was going on. This didn't keep me from enjoying the book though.
The part I had the hardest time with was when Prim died. I was prepared for Katiniss or Peeta or Gale, but Prim?! I was caught completely off guard. I can honestly say that I think Collins picked the right person to sacrifice; I feel it brought the novels full circle. Especially the more I think about it, I don't think another character would have elicited the feelings that came out of me as I finished the book.
I was so sad.
I was crying and felt that the characters- especially Katniss- were left almost inhuman; an empty shell in a world that robbed her of every last piece of her self. I finished the novel through tears and went to bed sobbing. Literally.
That's when I knelt down for my night prayer.
I have a pretty good relationship with my Heavenly Father. When I pray I tell Him how I'm feeling at that moment and I know He understands me. I was prepared to tell Him how sad I was feeling and ask Him to help me feel better. I had no sooner started my prayer than I had the most overwhelming feeling of love come over me.
Clear as a bell I could hear Him say, "You have no reason to be sad. You have a Savior."
Peace.
I will forever be grateful for this book for how it further built my testimony of the Savior and the love he has for us. No matter how alone and broken we feel, he is there. He is the great mender of feelings and broken hearts. So, be of good cheer, He has overcome the world.
"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Isaiah 41:10
6 comments:
mmmm...I love that. I also loved these books, but like you felt the last one was rushed. I wish she would have done a fourth so it wouldn't have felt so rushed. I don't remember ever feeling so emotional in any books. ever. I sobbed in the first book when she took Prim's place in the Hunger Games. It's pretty cool when a book can make you FEEL so much.
I own the whole set and read the last one in 24 hours. Such amazing books that make you so grateful for our lives. I agree I did not see Prims death coming... Very well written as sad as it had to be. I always love reading your blog as you just have such great things you write about. I miss you!
Amy, this is why I love you. I would have never thought to make that connection with this book. Thank you for helping me open my eyes!
Oh, how do you like Tana French? I'll be curious what you think of her second book, The Likeness.
I am so excited to talk about Mockingjay. There were a lot of things I really loved about the novel, which surprised me, because I haven't been the hugest fan of the series (for a lot of different reasons). But I really liked the last book. I think it took a lot of courage to write. I "get" that the characters aren't "real" people, but their essences are. That's why we love made-up people: in them, we recognize what we love in the people around us. The book made me cry, too, and I was _really_ surprised by that. I'm generally not a book crier. Believe it or not.
I love everything about your posts. Maybe because I love you?
*Definitely.*
Haven't read it yet so I didn't read all of your post, but I thought that Suzanne Collins was pretty original in her story.
I love you and your testimony. Thanks for sharing.
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