LucidDream-Reader t1_jdd6w2x wrote on March 23, 2023 at 3:37 PM

Currently reading it now and thoroughly enjoying it!

Something I think Collins does remarkably well is the WORLDBUILDING!

Seriously, anyone interested in the craft needs to look at how she does it because it’s basically a masterclass in effective Infodump.

Not once have I felt that, “alright. Lore, info, next.”

The way her worldbuilding of history and science and region in Panem comes out of the character is so clean and succinct. There’s always a reason for it in the story. And it’s always just enough that you understand, the world grows depth, and then you’re moving on back into the plot right away.

Truly well done!

drcutiesaurus t1_jddztcl wrote on March 23, 2023 at 6:39 PM

This is what I like. The info we have is appropriate too. It's not like Katniss has information on all of the inner workings of the Snow government, for example. Or even something as simple as when she's talking to Rue and learns that they go hungry there a lot despite being major food producers. Katniss is still in school (which is government run and very very narrowly curated to what the Capitol wants from District 12). We only know what Katniss inherently knows or sees and what only makes sense for her to know and see. It's one major benefit from first person limited writing, but I often find it more immersive when done well and imo HG does it very well. Even BOSAS does it well and it's such a beautiful juxtaposition from how Katniss sees the world and why she makes her choices and he makes his. Katniss' thoughts are often quite selfless overall whereas Snow, while it seems like the world is against him, he only concerns himself with him. Not even the rest of his family for the most part. He dismissed Tigress' sacrifices for him. Didn't really actually care about his injured classmate. Felt Lucy-Gray was his to possess... that she owed him... honestly, I love BOSAS so much because of how horrible Snow is in it and how much you can see into his justifications for his choices. Katniss was very "for the good of all". Snow is very "ends justify the means". And it's amazing to see how he justifies his sociopathic tendencies throughout- and how he's rewarded for it. I really really want there to be a sequel. I want to see what happens when Mags is chosen and wins. She's the oldest Victor by far in CF. I want to know why Snow left her alive without any "unfortunate accidents". (Never mind how much I desperately want to know how and why Tigress becomes his enemy given what she sacrifices for Snow throughout!)

PinkMoonbow t1_jdenyh4 wrote on March 23, 2023 at 9:12 PM

'Clean and succint' is how I thought her writing was when I read it. It was after reading some books with heavy exposition and flowery language so Collins writing style was a breath of fresh air for me; it is easy to read, she presents perfect amount of facts + emotions+ plot twists for my liking. I find her writing style intelligent and her world building extremely IMMERSIVE.

Most importantly, she made me feel so strongly for all characters and their fate- that's huge for me because I increasingly find myself not feeling anything while reading a book. Either shoddy writing or convenient plot twists or unconvincing character portrayals take me out of the experience.

To sum up - I love Collins and I love The Hunger Games 🙃.

LucidDream-Reader t1_jdepe4i wrote on March 23, 2023 at 9:21 PM

Lol there’s nothing wrong with that! I love both, flowery language and succinct but I think a balance is the best and tone of the story is too! The style of the Hunger Games fits perfectly!

It’s my first read through actually, and I’m so excited to get to Book 2 as that was my favorite movie. As always, the book is already better and something I’ve loved — over the movies — is learning about the Capitol’s experiments! So much better in the book!

PinkMoonbow t1_jdesyl3 wrote on March 23, 2023 at 9:44 PM

Oh I'm so jealous you're reading it currently!!! I tore through them, they are so engaging. You said it so accurately- BALANCE. Her writing has that. I cannot find any flaw with her writing or this series honestly and I don't even like dystopian fiction, this was the first I loved.

LucidDream-Reader t1_jdetb6v wrote on March 23, 2023 at 9:46 PM

You know one of my favorite parts so far that speaks volumes to world building and character building: Katniss and Peeta AND EVENTUALLY Hamish all dipping whatever they’re eating into Hot Chocolate! Lol

It’s also kinda sad — in a way — but it’s also just so colorful and funny but is just such a simple yet effect gag that came up a few times I thought was just brilliant!