It's been 4 days since I read this book and I can't get it out of my mind. I'm not a regular reviewer, but I feel so compelled to write my thoughts after reading "Trash".
I have young kids and we are fortunate enough to be able to live a comfortable life. I've lived in Manila, Philippines where the author lives part-time and teaches. While I have traveled to many First World countries, I have also been to the Manila dumpsite, the one that is called Smokey Mountain which is the same name used by the author for his story's setting. Oh yes, there has been a real Smokey Mountain dumpsite.
Let me just share a bit of non-fiction to those who haven't been to this place yet to give you a sense of my perspective.
When I first visited the dumpsite, what first struck me was the enormity of this "mountain" of trash and the strong foul stench everywhere. As I walked, I noticed the springy feeling in my steps then realized I had not been walking on concrete pavement but on a very compact heap of trash thickened over the years. This dumpsite was literally a hill or a mountain and hundreds of families stay here. Adults and children walked about as if this was just an ordinary village. I wondered how these people ever manage to breathe, work and live healthily here 24/7. It is a scene one will not forget.
After interviewing a family for a project which was the reason I was there, the family insisted on cooking my group a meal. Being aware of their meager income, we did our best to politely refuse, but it came to a point that for us to refuse more would be deemed insulting to our host who surprisingly, had shown a sense of fierce dignity in their humble 3 meter x 3 meter home and in their work (i.e. picking trash).
We sat on the floor of their home and ate from a very low table. This was not a place where you excuse yourself to wash your hands or use hand wipes or sanitizer. (While walking around, it was an effort not to cover our noses with our hands so as not to insult the residents). This family with a mixture of pride and apology, served us chicken tinola, a common soup here made from chicken with papaya and moringa leaves. I distinctly remember having difficulty swallowing the food due to a lump in my throat that formed as I held back tears. I perfectly knew this meal seen as ordinary by the middle and upper class was already a special meal for them. This family welcomed total strangers to their home and did their best to accommodate us. I truly felt embarrassed, guilty and honored.
I will disagree with many in that "Trash" is a worthless book. While some may find the book unbelievable, depressing, vulgar or unideal for kids, I see it differently because it speaks the truth in many aspects. It teaches important values for survival--resilience, hope, perseverance and having a vision. It is story of a struggle for freedom told with a setting and plot that are realistic (except for the $6 million... but you never know). From the names used, reference to the 'dirty' politician, the houseboy, maid and gardener, prison conditions, police interrogation style, young kids who work than study for survival reasons, the way a bribe is asked... they all sound so much like the things happening in the ugly, uncomfortable part of the city of Manila and I'm sure parts of the world that don't quite make it to the tourist route.
Just like in the book, there is a real mission school set up by the Philippine Christian Foundation founded by Jane Walker in the Manila dumpsite. Gardo, Raphael and Rat could very well be any of the streetkids or dumpsite boys--all wise beyond their years. Families do build homes on this huge, huge mountain of the city's trash and earn income foraging, sorting, using and selling off what they can find, similar to the scenes shown in the heart-wrenching free video documentary on the web "Chicken a la Carte".
Every chapter of the story is told in the first person point of view by a character, so the whole book appears like a group of people taking turns telling the audience their part in the story. The book ends on an emotional and exhilarating note for me--cheers for the characters, and a personal reminder to count my blessings, complain less, recycle more and help the marginalized further.
I am actually surprised at the courage of the author, for this book can very well be interpreted as a political satire although I don't think that was his intention. I look forward to watching the movie version or a stage play if either will be ever made.
To get the most value from this book, you must read this with an open mind and the knowledge that almost everything described in the book can possibly be real at least in this side of the world (again, except for the $6 million.. but you never know).
Read it with your kids when they are old enough to understand the concept of money and of things, of good vs. evil. Let them know such living conditions are real. Don't hide this fact. Life is not all roses. Hopefully, they will realize that always having the new "in" toy or clothing will not be as important anymore. Let them learn about the world so they will grow up grounded and with a social conscience, for they will be the shapers and leaders of the future. Let them still read the fairy tales and the Harry Potters. But let them read this, too.
I feel this is suited to kids who are old enough to know that lying, stealing and resolving issues thru violence are wrong. These themes occur repeatedly throughout the book, and the boys who commit them are shown to have a guilty conscience at some point.
While I teach my kids respect and honesty, not to lie nor steal, I can't help but think one day, my kids are going to face a world where things are not so black and white, where one is sometimes forced by the system to adapt and go along. When those moments come, will I have taught enough to enable them firmly stand by their values and decisions?
A thought-provoking book for adults and pre-teens up. I give this book 5 stars.
