rivers_bend

I always try to answer the comments on my journal. Sometimes a few slip through the cracks, but I really love the conversations I have with people in this way, so usually even if I notice the slippage months later, I'll reply.

But several weeks ago I made a post about the Hunger Games books, and lots of people commented, and I have not replied. I'm not sure what exactly is going on with me, but I somehow drastically underestimated both the strength and the nature of my feelings about the subject, and even thinking about going back and looking at that post or reading any comments gives me massive anxiety feelings. I thought I would be fine after some space and self-analysis, but apparently not so much. So this is me apologizing for seemingly ignoring all of you who commented, and giving myself permission to walk away.

♥

I've finally finished all three Hunger Games books, and never in my life have I been more aware of the extent to which we read things through the lens of our own experience. I haven't exactly been rolling around in posts about the books or the movies, as I wanted to avoid spoilers, but I've seen enough to know that what a lot of people are talking about are not themes that jumped out at me at all. I felt like all three books were essentially about one thing.

( cut for spoilers for the books )

Your mileage may vary, of course. The whole point of this is that my life experiences have so very thoroughly impacted my interpretation of this series. But these thoughts have been plaguing me since I started listening to the first book, and I wanted to get them out.