Probably one of my most controversial takes, but here we go.
Lenore Dove Baird wasn't necessary in SoTR.
Do I have a good reason why? Probably not. Do I hate her? No. Do I like her? Also no.
Suzanne has a tendency to make symbols out of characters. And, from my perspective, Lenore Dove is the epitome of this. Which is also my main pet peeve with the saga. She creates a character, names them, makes them a symbol of all that is good in the world, then kills them. Without ever making them feel like fleshed-out characters. They're just ideas, but nothing more.
I felt the same way about Prim during the main trilogy. We have this character that is good, pure, kind, pale, blond and shiny. Even her name refers to a tiny little white flower. And she is everything Katniss wants to protect. But, aside from this archetype, she is nothing at all. So perfect that she, obviously, has to die a terrible death.
But I can get behind a single character made with that purpose. I get that Rue kind of also fills that role, but Rue's tragedy is a direct result of the Games; her never being fully fleshed out comes from the very present fact that there just isn't time to get to know her.
My qualm with Lenore Dove is that she's a copy-paste of Lucy Gray, filling a place in Haymitch's life that is already to the brim.
Contrary to what we see with Katniss, who – for whatever reason – doesn't even care about her own mom during the first book, Prim is all she has and everything she wishes to protect. Haymitch is already close to so many. He has his mom and Sid, to whom he always goes back anytime something happens to him. He has friends and a community that loves him and whom he loves back.
For a hint of romance we have Louella or Maisylee if anyone would want to make a ship. I know many won't like the Louella aspect, but, let's be honest, they're three years apart. It's only noticeable because they're both so young. And people already like him with Maysilee.
But, even better, why does every single character ever have to have a romantic interest? Louella is his sweetheart. Louella is who he sees when he looks at Katniss. Louella is his spark. She's his tragedy. Not every sixteen-year-old with their hands full from taking care of their family needs to have a big love before they're even fully their own person.
And this is all without even tiptoeing into the fact that the whole "mysterious, covey girl" thing is... a bit too much, to say the least. One mysterious Covey girl related to Katniss with her own book? Great! Why would you copy-paste her into another story when we have a covey-mockingjay-Katniss direct link in Maysilee and Merrilee? All to what? Make Snow more obsessed? Snow is already a villain who would've loathed Haymitch! He doesn't need more reasons other than being a narcissistic ass.
To put it all together, I just think Lenore Dove is a redundant, superfluous character that adds nothing to the story.
Haymitch already has that rebel in him. Maysilee already stands up, nose high, to the Capitol as soon as she is reaped. Mags, Wiress and Beetees already plant the seed of rebellion and give Haymitch the means to blow up the arena. Haymitch still loses everyone and everything he loves.
And the moment he snaps is due to seeing his little Louella sprawled out on the floor, head cracked open, as he calls for her and hoists her up into his arms, covering himself in her blood while he runs to show Snow what he did to his sweetheart.
And well, yeah. That's my rant.
I'm open to discussions as long as we keep it civil. I have a lot of mixed feelings regarding the first trilogy, but I do agree they're very good books with a most important message. And I also know Lenore Dove and all the covey girls are very well-loved.
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