Yes, I've been thinking. Don't worry, I had some ice cream to cool down my brain. Everything is okay.
So this is my topic of thought. Why did I absolutely HATE the last book of the Hunger Games?
Don't get me wrong, the author can spin a tale. She's amazing. But I hate that last book. Anyone else read it? Love it? Hate it?
I'm going to keep thinking and answer tomorrow.
Feel free to rant.
4 comments:
I read it, admittedly very quickly because book 2 came after book 3 from the library and book 3 was due RIGHT NOW. I liked it as much as the others. Thought it finished the series well. Was glad she quit messing with the male lead, since I liked him more than the girl. It wasn't my type of series, but it was well done and interesting.
I was disappointed in the third. It was okay, but was my least favorite of the 3. I think maybe because it seemed to make Katniss not as strong as in the other two, so seemed like a regression of sorts.
Alright, I have not read the books, I didn't like them from the start. The blurb turned me off and what little I read in the store turned me off more. So, I can't comment specifically, however, there are a number of series that I've had this same reaction to and this is what I've found.
The characters are not true to what was established as "them".
This is the danger in a multi-book series. Books take around two years to write. Think of what can happen to you as a person in that time. Inevitably you change, but you can't let your changes become those of the characters. You also can't get board and rush it or some such reaction (I've known a writer who insisted that there were 48 days in April because "end of April" was her deadline for a manuscript). There's a reason she wins awards.
I'm not saying characters don't change, however, the changes have to be real and believable. You can not force a character to make choices against their nature and personality as established in previous books for the sake of a plot point you can't let go of. Or an unwillingness to "go there".
I read a book once in which the author took an aside to say that he had wanted the main character to walk to the a train station and go home, but the character insisted on turning down a lane, getting a glass of milk, and thinking too much about what just happened. Thus changing the plot significantly. It's what that character would have done - like it or not.
In the end you as an author have to let go of some things you may want in exchange for interesting believable people populating your books. People that readers will love as close friends. Plot outlines will only get you so far. Plot happens when characters are busy living.
SO, why do people hate the endings of books like HG or Harry Potter or Twilight (or the prequel to Star Wars). The author broke the illusion. Real people became manipulated characters sacrificed on the alter of preconceived plot.
That's my rant; take it or leave it.
I loved them all. Sorry. I think I'm more story driven than character driven. To me, the idea was simply ingenius; everything else really didn't matter, although, I think Collins executed well.
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