Summary
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is Suzanne Collins's gripping prequel to her bestselling trilogy, The Hunger Games. Released in 2020, this dystopian novel takes us back to the early days of Panem, offering a fresh perspective on the origins of the infamous competition. Set 64 years before the events of the original series, the book follows a young Coriolanus Snow as he navigates the treacherous waters of Capitol politics. Collins masterfully weaves themes of power, morality, and survival into a narrative that both expands and enriches the world of Panem.
The novel inspired a major film adaptation, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Directed by Francis Lawrence and starring Rachel Zegler and Tom Blyth, the movie was released in 2023.
Plot
Set 64 years before the events of The Hunger Games, the story follows 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow as he prepares to mentor a tribute in the 10th annual Hunger Games. The once-powerful Snow family has fallen on hard times, and Coriolanus sees this as his chance to restore their fortunes. However, he's assigned the female tribute from District 12, Lucy Gray Baird, a member of a nomadic musical group. Despite the low odds, Coriolanus begins to see potential in Lucy Gray's ability to charm the Capitol audience.
As the Games approach, new elements are introduced to boost viewership, including tribute interviews and sponsors. During a tour of the arena, rebel bombs explode, killing several tributes and mentors. Lucy Gray saves Coriolanus's life, and they share a kiss the night before the Games begin. During the event, Coriolanus helps Lucy Gray by providing her with rat poison to eliminate a rival and using her scent to protect her from snake mutts. With his assistance, Lucy Gray emerges as the victor.
Coriolanus's cheating is discovered by Dean Highbottom, who threatens to expose him. To avoid public disgrace, Coriolanus reluctantly joins the Peacekeepers and requests an assignment to District 12 to be near Lucy Gray. There, he becomes entangled in rebel activities and is forced to make difficult choices. He betrays his friend Sejanus Plinth, who is executed for rebel involvement. Coriolanus also becomes implicated in the murders of two District 12 residents.
Fearing discovery of his crimes, Coriolanus agrees to flee with Lucy Gray. However, he ultimately turns on her, attempting to eliminate the last witness to his misdeeds. Lucy Gray escapes into the woods, leaving Coriolanus to return to the Capitol. There, he is pardoned and given a place at the University, setting the stage for his eventual rise to power. The story concludes with Coriolanus introducing new elements to the Games that will ensure their longevity and popularity, foreshadowing the world readers encounter in the original trilogy.
Themes
Power dynamics and corruption
Nature of humanity in extreme circumstances
Evolution of morality and ethics
Role of entertainment in political control
Impact of poverty and privilege on decision-making
Manipulation of public perception
Consequences of ambition and survival instincts
Setting
Set 64 years before the events of the original Hunger Games trilogy, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes takes place in a post-war Panem. The story unfolds during the 10th annual Hunger Games, a time when the Capitol is still working to solidify its control over the districts and perfect the brutal competition that will become a cornerstone of its oppressive regime.
The novel primarily focuses on the Capitol, where we see the stark contrast between the privileged elite and those struggling to maintain their status after the war. The novel offers glimpses into the inner workings of the government and the Academy, where future leaders are trained. The story also takes us to the impoverished District 12, known for its coal mining industry and as the home of the lowest-ranked tributes.
Within these settings, Suzanne Collins vividly portrays a society grappling with the aftermath of conflict. The Capitol, while opulent, shows signs of recent hardship, and the districts remain under tight control. The arena of the Hunger Games itself serves as a microcosm of Panem's power dynamics, where survival often comes at the cost of one's humanity. Through these varied environments, Collins explores themes of power, privilege, and the cyclical nature of violence.
Characters
Capitol. Once wealthy, his family has fallen on hard times after the war. Coriolanus is cunning, strategic, and willing to do whatever it takes to regain his family's status and secure his own future. His experiences as a mentor in the 10th Hunger Games shape him into the tyrannical leader we know from the original trilogy.
Lucy Gray Baird: The female tribute from District 12 and Coriolanus's mentee. A charismatic and talented singer from the nomadic Covey group, Lucy Gray uses her musical abilities and charm to win over sponsors and survive the Games. She forms a complicated romantic relationship with Coriolanus, challenging his loyalties and beliefs.
Sejanus Plinth: Coriolanus's classmate and fellow Games mentor from a wealthy District 2 family. Idealistic and rebellious, Sejanus opposes the Capitol's treatment of the districts and the Hunger Games. His actions and beliefs put him at odds with Coriolanus and the Capitol, ultimately leading to tragic consequences.
Dr. Volumnia Gaul: The Head Gamemaker and overseer of the Hunger Games. A brilliant but twisted scientist with authoritarian beliefs, Dr. Gaul uses the Games as a tool for punishment and manipulation. She takes an interest in Coriolanus, influencing his development and rise to power.
Tigris Snow: Coriolanus's cousin and caretaker. She works as a fashion designer to support the family, making great sacrifices to maintain their facade of wealth and status.
Casca Highbottom: The Dean of the Academy and credited creator of the Hunger Games. He harbors a deep resentment towards the Snow family and struggles with morphling addiction.
Grandma'am: Coriolanus's grandmother and family matriarch. She strives to maintain the family's appearance of prestige despite their financial struggles.
Mayfair Lipp: The mayor's daughter from District 12. Jealous of Lucy Gray, she arranges for her to be reaped for the Games.
Quick facts
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is a prequel to the original Hunger Games trilogy, set 64 years before the events of the first novel.
The novel was released on May 19, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, necessitating a virtual book launch.
An audiobook version was released simultaneously, narrated by American actor Santino Fontana.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes focuses on the early life of Coriolanus Snow, who becomes the tyrannical president in the original trilogy.
It introduces the character of Lucy Gray Baird, a tribute from District 12 and a member of a nomadic musical group called the Covey.
The book explores the origins of several Hunger Games traditions, including tribute interviews and sponsorships.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes provides backstory on the creation of the Hunger Games and the Capitol's control over the districts.
The novel introduces the song “The Hanging Tree,” which becomes significant in the original trilogy.
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise for its themes and world-building.
A film adaptation, directed by Francis Lawrence, was released on November 17, 2023.
About the Author
Suzanne Collins (1962-) is an acclaimed American author of books for children and young adults. She is best known for her dystopian trilogy, inspired by Greek mythology and her father's military service, The Hunger Games. Exploring themes of war, violence, and coming of age, The Hunger Games books have sold more than 100 million copies worldwide, with translations into more than 50 languages, and been adapted into blockbuster films.
Born in Hartford, Connecticut, Collins studied theater and telecommunications at Indiana University, Bloomington, and went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts in dramatic writing from the New York University Tisch School of the Arts. She began her career as a writer for children's television shows, including several Nickelodeon productions. After meeting children’s author James Proimos, she was inspired to write children’s books herself. The result was The Underland Chronicles, a New York Times bestselling series of five books for middle-grade readers published between 2003 and 2007. However, it was The Hunger Games that catapulted her to international fame.
Launching the trilogy, The Hunger Games was released in 2008, followed by Catching Fire (2009) and Mockingjay (2010). In 2020, Collins released a prequel, set 64 years before the events of the main trilogy, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Another prequel, titled Sunrise on the Reaping, was released in 2025. TIME magazine named Suzanne Collins one of the most influential people of the year in 2010, and she later became the bestselling Kindle author of all time. She lives in Connecticut with her family.
