Trash

by Andy Mulligan

In an unnamed Third World country, in the not-so-distant future, three “dumpsite boys” make a living picking through the mountains of garbage on the outskirts of a large city.

One unlucky-lucky day, Raphael finds something very special and very mysterious. So mysterious that he decides to keep it, even when the city police offer a handsome reward for its return. That decision brings with it terrifying consequences, and soon the dumpsite boys must use all of their cunning and courage to stay ahead of their pursuers. It’s up to Raphael, Gardo, and Rat—boys who have no education, no parents, no homes, and no money—to solve the mystery and right a terrible wrong.

Andy Mulligan has written a powerful story about unthinkable poverty—and the kind of hope and determination that can transcend it. With twists and turns, unrelenting action, and deep, raw emotion, Trash is a heart-pounding, breath-holding novel.

Genres: Young Adult, Mystery, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Adventure, School, Poverty

240 pages, Hardcover

First published February 16, 2010

About the author

Andy Mulligan was brought up in the south of London. He worked as a theatre director for ten years before travels in Asia prompted him to retrain as a teacher. He has taught English and drama in India, Brazil, the Philippines and the UK. He now divides his time between London and Manila.

Reviews

[K.D. Absolutely · Rating 2 out of 5]

Trash by Andrew "Andy" Mulligan, a British theatre director, drama teacher and now novelist is set most likely in the Philippines. Why? He used the places that are familiar to us Filipinos: Smoky Mountain (for us it is spelled with an "e" as in Smokey), Green Hills (Greenhills is a shopping center in San Juan where the former president/vice-president/senator, Joseph Estrada lives), McKinley Hill and the currency is in pesos and the country celebrates All Soul's Day on November 2nd when people flock to cemeteries to pay respect to their dead. Oh, the names of the characters are very Filipino: Rafael Fernandez, Gardo, Jun-jun "The Rat" etc. Of course Smokey Mountain was closed in the late 90's by then President Ramos. But for my foreigner Goodreads friends and those too young to know, this was how it looked like:

The name is derived from the fact that the two million tonnes of waste, when in the process of decomposition, creates too high temperature that the mountain appears to be smoking or in fire. I had no chance to be there but my Sociology professor in the 80's told us in class that the houseflies were as big as dragonflies.

Anyway, Trash is about three orphan young boys who are sorting garbage in this mountain. One day, in the heap of a garbage from a rich district of Green Hills, they find a bag that contains a wallet, a key, a map. In the wallet is P1,100, a picture of a man whose name is Jose Angelico who is a houseboy of an influential politician. The rest of the story revolves around the contents of that bag and how they change the lives of the 3 scavenging boys.

I almost did not sleep last night because of this book. I was a bit surprised because this book was categorized for "Teens" by its publisher www.randomhouse.com but I could not stop until I got to the last page. One thing that I liked was the different alternating narrators used: those of the 3 boys, the priest, the social worker and a couple of others. It reminded me of William Faulker's As I Lay Dying except that there is no mother to be buried but it is as dark and even more suspenseful, ergo more entertaining. The fact that it uses simple language and Filipino terms added to the ease in reading.

This is a YA book but totally different from the YA books that are popular among teens and young people. It neither insults your intelligence nor it makes you escape reality. Those who have read this so far were mostly British young girls and a couple of them wrote that they felt sorry for the boys that they would like to go to Behana (the place where Smoky Mountain used to operate), look for, embrace and comfort the boys. Well, one of them is described as having a killer smile so it might just be a reason too.

I did not have any high expectation when I decided to pick this book. I just heard that this is about the Philippines and I would like to see how this British author would depict our country. Although, Mulligan did not directly state that the setting is in Manila, I think the references are obvious. He has nothing to be worry about as his depiction of our country is balanced and truthful.

2 stars. It's an okay read, really.

[James Francisco Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The senator was smart. I was stupid. In this country you pay for being stupid, just as you pay for being poor.”

Slumdog Millionaire meets Robert Langdon in the Philippines! This book nearly killed me with suspense. It was my very first book by Andy Mulligan, but I'm certain it won't be my last.
Actual rating: 4.75 stars

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book! Three dumpsite boys live by sifting rubbish and looking for things to sell. One day they discover a deadly secret which they must decipher and try to fathom, and which they must risk their lives to keep hidden from the police.

Mulligan's writing is crystal clear: each voice is unique, telling the story as it happens from a different of point of view, which gives credibility and depth and sets an incredible pace.

It is a confronting tale of the corruption of power and the implications of this on the poorest of the poor, yet for all the gravity and unpleasantness of the content, the relative refinement with which it is told makes it more like a clear and realistic history lesson than the sickening shock of a slap in the face. There is nothing gratuitous, and even the infrequent strong word feels mild next to the difficulties the boys face with such courage.

Though it's packaged for children - who would need to be well read and mature enough for the serious themes, it is a recommended read for adults and teens. In my opinion it is well above Slumdog Millionaire, even though it only takes a couple of hours to read.

There is one discussion point to keep in mind on the importance of money. It could be said that money is at the heart of the story, and one of the most respected characters (an aid worker) reasons that "there are values and virtues and morals; there are relationships and trust and love - and all of that is important. Money, however, is more important... without money you shrivel and die." There is also a quote from a university newspaper which urges "What does the country need right now? THREE THINGS: A revolution. Then a revolution. Then - when the dust has settled - a revolution."

Yet in the context of the whole story these are not the loudest calls. I would assert that what are really at the heart of the story are values and virtues and morals, relationships and trust and love... which are all tried and tested in an adventure that is set in motion by money. And it is a thrilling read.

[Matthew Errico · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read/taught this book two years ago. It has a fast-paced plot about "dumpsite boys" who wade through mountains of garbage each day in order to make a living. Then they accidentally discover something that changes everything. Many of the details are harsh and based on actual people and places. One of my former students had an older sister who had Andy Mulligan, the author, as an English teacher when they lived in the Philippines. So, as a gift, Mulligan gave the older sister an early manuscript of the book as a gift. My student shared it with our class one day. It was cool to see all the revisions he had made etc. It reminded us of just how difficult it is to write. It reminded us how important revision is to the process. Anyway, Salva from A Long Walk To Water lived during a certain time, place and culture. This book will introduce you to Rat, Gardo, and Raphael. Three dumpsite boys living in a time, place and culture quite different from ours.

[Lynai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful. This book is just wonderful. Despite the connotation of the word, Trash is far from being, well, trash. It’s more of a gem actually, if I may say. So what made me want to read this book? Curiosity. Who wouldn’t be curious about a novel that is about his own country? With these, I’ll tell you in three parts the reasons why I like this book : the setting, the characters, the plot.

The setting

Although there is no mention about it in the book, Trash is most probably set in the Philippines. This is not surprising considering that the author, Andy Mulligan, who is British, had worked as a teacher in the Philippines. And then there is the dumpsite described as the main setting for the story which is very much similar to Payatas and Smokey Mountain. Third, there is a Greenhills in the story where the wealthy and the famous reside and there is also a Greenhills in San Juan, Manila. Fourth, the book mentions about using “po” to show respect to elders just like how Filipinos use “po” and “opo” when talking to older people. Fifth, Sampalo, the place where one of the characters came from, reminds me of Sampaloc, a place in Manila.

With these alone, Trash already feels close to my heart. Not that I like every book I read that resembles or even mentions Philippines/Filipinos in it. (Then again, I haven’t read any book yet about the Philippines that I did not like. :D ) But with this book, I feel very comfortable as if I am watching a teleserye (soap opera) or Tagalog movie, only that the language is in English.

The characters

The book is told in the voices of various narrators, but the main storytellers are the dumpsite boys themselves: Gardo, Raphael, and Rat. I love these boys – their fears, their courage, their wit. I love how Andy Mulligan described these dumpsite boys — not pathetic or overrated, simply that they are your ordinary dumpsite boys who rummage through the garbage and among the stupp to look for something of value to keep or to sell. In short, the dumpsite boys in the story are real. Just as how real the corrupt politicians and policemen are in the story.

The plot

The idea of some dumpsite boys finding something of great value in the garbage may not be very unique but Andy Mulligan managed to keep Trash interesting with how the unschooled boys worked on tracing the location of the treasure. The pace is steady (not too dragging, not too hurried) and the storytelling is very engaging. Somehow I had the feeling that the after the cat-and-mouse chase between the boys and the policemen who were looking for them, the boys will still be able to get away. But then, the ending amazed me. I like the ending best, but because I do not want to be branded a “spoiler”, I will instead urge you to read this book. It is a surprise really, having to discover that Trash is a wonderful story, especially that I had no high expectations whatsoever. Reading Trash is like rummaging through garbage and being surprised by the treasure you find.

***Special thanks to K.D., a fellow member in The Filipino Group in Goodreads, for my copy!

Also posted in It's A Wonderful Bookworld!

[Gypsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

داستان وختی از زبون‌ بچّه‌ها بیان بشه، خیلی ساده‌س. این‌داستان، هم ایده و هم شیوه‌ی داستان‌پردازیش و عناصر داستانیش، ساده بود. نحوه‌ی گره‌افکنی و گره‌گشایی و تعلیق امّا، فوق‌العاده. ریتم و گام نرمی داره. برا من روزی که شروعش کردم، تا نصفش پیش رفتم و چون خوابم گرف، ادامه ندادم. وگرنه همون‌طور ادامه می‌دادم. داستان حرفاش خیلی عمیقه؛ ینی با همه‌ی سادگیاش، وختی کتابو می‌بندی، باید چندین روز بهش فک کنی و با افسوس، سرتو تکون بدی. از فساد اقتصادی و سیاسی می‌گه و فقر و محرومیّت جامعه. و خصوصاً، از ظلمی که همیشه‌ی خدا به‌بچّه‌ها تحمیل می‌شه و با همه‌ی اینا، این‌بچّه‌های طفلک چقد قشنگ داستانشونو گفتن و.. عجب دلی داشتن..

اومدم که سه بدم. ولی.. فصل آخر، منو خیلی ترغیب کرد که چار بدم. چقد فصل آخر فوق‌العاده و محشر بود؛ نامه‌ی خوزه آنجلیکو رو باید بارها و بارها خوند.. کاش می‌شد میون دستامون احساسش کنیم.. اصن این‌شخصیّت با این‌که هیچ‌حضوری در داستان نداش. امّا نقشش محوری بود و.. واقعاً دوس دارم چنین آدمی رو بغل کنم.. شخصیّت رَت هم تو بچّه‌ها، خیلی دوس داشتم؛ هر چن رهبرشون رافائل بود و واقعاً خصوصیّات یه‌رهبره کوچولو رو داش. ولی رَت، می‌دونین، شخصیّت خیلی خیلی خوش‌ساختی بود. من یه‌همچین بچّه‌ای رو به‌فرزند خوندگی قبول خواهم کرد. :))

ذهنم می‌گه سه بده و قلبم می‌گه چار. رو حرف دلم نمی‌خوام نه بیارم.

[Rizwan Khalil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, wonderful, great fun. Not a long book, just around 200+ pages, but like our diminutive central characters, BIG on just the right amount of enjoyment, suspense, adventure and a whole lot of heart. Reminded me of my school-days of blissful times with daring juvenile mystery-adventures. Our tiny heroes are dirty dumpsite boys, the lowest of the low of a fictional poor third-world country, but they proved again and again in every page that it was the rich, corrupt, 'big' people who were the true dirtiest lowest garbage of the society, and these lowly 'invisible' trash kids walk tall among them with heads held high and hearts full of bravery, courage, empathy and strong moral compass. I had a hell of a delightful time devouring this book in mostly one single sitting yesterday, which sometimes almost brought tears to my eyes from heartbreaking realities of lonely little souls against this immense uncaring cruel world, all the while also bringing a mile-wide grin on my face in their fist-bumping clever heroics against all odds.

As Raphael so eloquently put even after almost dying:
"So, am I garbage? the garbage boy had just lied his way out from under the noses of those clever men. A little garbage boy had sat there shaking, saying, ‘I don’t have the bag,’ when all the time I knew exactly where it was and what had been in it. The garbage boys were way ahead of the garbage police, and I had said nothing to those men."

Yeah, this poor dirty starved little garbage boys neither need nor want any of us 'big' people's pity or help, they can create and achieve their own destiny. Hell YEAH!

Novel: 'Trash'
Author: Andy Mulligan
Pages: 240 (kindle edition)
Published: 2010
My rating: 9/10

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was far different from the YA I usually read and it was an interesting perspective and situation that once again isn't one I read a lot about. Good writing and intriguing plot

[Meg 🌞 · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you want to know anything about the content, plot or characters in this book, look no further than the title.

[Farzana Raisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

ওই যে! কথায় আছে না, যেখানে দেখিবে ছাই, উড়াইয়া দেখো তাই, পাইলেও পাইতে পারো অমূল্য রতন।

ঠিক সেইরকমভাবে ছাই না হোক, ময়লা ঘাঁটতে ঘাঁটতে রাফায়েল পেয়ে গেলো মারাত্মক এক সিক্রেটের সন্ধান। কিন্তু সিক্রেটের কারণে রাফায়েল ও তার বন্ধুদের জীবন হয়ে উঠল বিপন্ন। ও আচ্ছা! রাফায়েলের পরিচয়টাই তো দেয়া হয়নি।উপন্যাসের পটভূমি হচ্ছে ব্রাজিল। যে শহর বিখ্যাত তার ময়লা-আবর্জনার জন্য। বড় বড় ট্রাকে করে সব ময়লা এসে জমা হয় এই বেহালা শহরে। মাইলের পর মাইল কেবল ময়লা আর ময়লা। আমাদের গল্পের নায়ক, তিন কিশোর, রাফায়েল, গার্দো আর র‍্যাট (নাকি জুন জুন নামেই পরিচয় দেব?) এই অঞ্চলের বাসিন্দা। স্কুলে যায় না.. পরিবার পরিজনের খোঁজ খবর নেই.. খাওয়া-দাওয়ার ঠিক ঠিকানা নেই.. এমনকি পড়নের কাপড়টা পর্যন্ত শতচ্ছিন্ন আর দুর্গন্ধে ভরপুর। কারণ স্ট্রিটবয় বলতে আমরা যা বুঝি আমাদের গল্পের নায়কেরা ঠিক তাই। ওদের কাজ হচ্ছে জমা হওয়া সব ময়লার মধ্য থেকে আপাত প্রয়োজনীয় জিনিস খুঁজে বের করে বস্তাবন্দী করা। বিশাল এই ময়লার ভাগাড়ে যদিও গুরুত্বপূর্ণ তেমন কিছু পাওয়া যায় না.. তাও আশা করতে দোষ কোথায়। একদিন রাফায়েলের মনের সেই আশা পূর্ণও হলো। ময়লা ঘাঁটতে ঘাঁটতেই হুট করে সে পেয়ে গেলো একটা চামড়ার ব্যাগ! ব্যাগের ভেতর ওয়ালেটে এগার 'শ পেসোসহ রয়েছে পুরনো কিছু কাগজ, ছবি, আইডি কার্ড আর একটা ম্যাপ। ভাঁজকরা ম্যাপের ভেতরে একটা চাবি!

এগার 'শ পেসো নিয়েই খুশি থাকতে পারতো রাফায়েল। কিন্তু কৌতুহলী হয়ে উঠল তখনই.. যখন এই ময়লার ভাগাড়ে উচ্চস্বরে সাইরেন বাজাতে বাজাতে এলো পুলিশের দল। রাফায়েল বুঝতে পারলো গভীর এক রহস্যের মাঝে জড়িয়ে পড়েছে সে আর তার বন্ধুরা। চাবিটাই বা কিসের? কেনই বা পুলিশ খুঁজছে সেই চামড়ার ব্যাগটা! প্রশ্নের উত্তরগুলো জানা প্রয়োজন ওদের। সময় বয়ে যাচ্ছে আর সেই সাথে তাড়া করছে বিপদ! আ্যন্ডি মুলিগানের দুর্দান্ত একটা উপন্��াস 'ট্র‍্যাশ'। বইটাকে আসলে কি বিশেষণে বিশেষায়িত করব বুঝতে পারছি না। কিশোর উপন্যাস স্টাইলও বলা চলে। প্লটের বিচিত্রতার সাথে যোগ হয়েছে এমন এক ধরনের প্রোটাগনিস্ট চরিত্র.. যাদের নিয়ে কোন বই বা উপন্যাস লেখা হয় না। ওরা থাকে আমাদের চোখের সামনেই কিন্তু সবাই দেখেও না দেখার ভান করে, গণ্য করতে চায় না মানুষ হিসেবে। গল্পটা তিন সুবিধাবঞ্চিত কিশোরের.. যারা চোখে আঙুল দিয়ে দেখিয়ে দেয় অনেক কিছু। একটা বিপথগামী সমাজের.. যেখানে কিছু মানুষের জন্য পচে যাচ্ছে গোটা জাতিটা। আর চরিত্র হিসেবে বইয়ে আছে এমন কিছু মানুষ, যারা চায় পরিবর্তন। বলাই বাহুল্য, বইটা পড়েছি অনুবাদে। প্রিয় অনুবাদক শাহেদ জামানের অনুবাদে। খুব সম্ভব পিএইচডির জন্য চলে যাবার আগে এটাই উনার শেষ অনুবাদ বই। আশা করব পিএইচডি সফলভাবে শেষ করে পাঠকদের কাছে আবার ফিরে আসবেন তিনি তার দুর্দান্ত সব অনুবাদ বই নিয়ে।

বি.দ্র. ক্যান জানি প্রচ্ছদটা খুব ভাল্লাগসে!

[Ümit Mutlu · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Bu ülkede aptal olmanın da, tıpkı fakir olmak gibi, bir bedeli vardır."

İşte bu, harika bir çocuk romanı. Hatta yetişkin romanı.

Çöplükte yaşayan üç çocuğun hayatı, buldukları deri bir çantayla tümden değişiyor. Kendilerini bir anda sosyopolitik bir maceranın içinde buluyorlar ve ömürleri boyunca unutmayacakları şeyler yaşıyorlar.

Çok güçlü bir roman. Her şeyden önce, karşımızda okurunun zekâsıyla hiç alay etmeyen bir yazar var. Anlattığı şeyin inandırıcılığını sarsacak hiçbir yola girmiyor; son derece gerçekçi, hakiki bir hikâye sunuyor. Zaten içindeki yolsuzluk teması dünden bugüne, dünyanın her yerinde karşılaşılabilecek cinsten.
Öte yandan, bir şehrin en dibiyle en yüksek kısmı arasındaki tezat başarıyla yansıtılmış. Çocuklar en dipte işte: çöplükte. Daha kitabın ilk sayfasında, her gün bol bol "stuppa", yani dışkı bulduklarından bahsediyorlar. Diğer yanda ise milyon dolarlarla oynayan insanlar var...
Buna karşın kitapta duygu sömürüsüne hiç her yok. Çocuklar, çocuk işte: Çöpün, açlığın ve sefaletin içinde yaşasalar da çocuklar ve hayat dolular. Özellikle Jun-Jun harika bir karakter; Raphael ve Gardo’dan bile kötü durumda ama onlardan daha aktif, belki de daha zeki ve ümit dolu.
Pis bir kitap. Leş gibi. Çöp içinde. Çöplüğün dışına çıkılsa bile o kirliliği hissediyoruz; yalınayak çocuklar, çöp karıştıran insanlar, biraz fazla yemek yediyse bunu ziyafet sananlar... Zaten az gelişmiş bir ülkenin daha da az gelişmiş mahallelerinde koşturup duruyor üç kahraman; yani o sefaleti her sokakta hissediyoruz biz de. Kahverengiden maviye uzanan bir yol hikâyesi aslında: Çöplükten başlayıp denizde bitiyor. Andy Dufresne'nin 500 metrelik bok tünelinde ilerleyip Pasifik'te temizlenmesi gibi...

Filme de çekilmiş bu muazzam kitap mutlaka okunmalı.

[Book · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, I heard about this book and it seemed like an interesting concept. Then my friend read it and he told me that I had to read it because he read a book I picked out last time. I must say: reading this book was torture for me. I finished it over 2 days and that was w/ me skimming over the 2nd 1/2.

The characters weren't really developed enough for me. And the book is told through the different characters POV which I usually like. But the writing wasn't that great therefore it didn't draw me in.

The concept was neat. It was a mystery which I don't usually enjoy, but I did want to find out what happened at the end.

The B&N thing says that it is a "breath-holding, heart-pounding novel." I don't agree at all. It could have been, but the author really didn't get it up to that level.

I can see where this could have been a great book, but the author really fell short of making it one.

For me, it was a waste of time reading it. Would I put it in my class library? Maybe (if I didn't have to pay for the actual book). I say maybe because I could see low level boys enjoying it.

Now my friend, he said he really liked it and his wife enjoyed it, too.

So, if the book sounds interesting based on the B&N blurb, check it out. Go to a store and start reading it. You'll know right away if you'll want to continue.

I personally just didn't enjoy it. It was a task to finish it.

[NJ Shammi · Rating 3 out of 5]

"You will never know what you will find there"

ময়লার স্তুপে যাদের বড় হওয়া, এই ময়লার স্তুপ থেকেই যাদের জীবিকা নির্বাহ করতে হয় তাদের নিয়েয়ই এই গল্প।

Raphael যে কিনা থাকে শহরের dumpsite এরিয়া তে। তার মতো আরও অনেক পরিবার থাকে এই এলাকায়। তারা এই আবর্জনা থেকে রিসাইকেল করা যায় এমন জিনিস আলাদা করে বিক্রি করে। Raphael ও তার বন্ধু ও একই কাজ করে। একদিন Raphael ও তার বন্ধু একটি ব্যাগ খুজে পায়। তারা এই ব্যাগ নিজের কাছে রাখতে চাইলে ও পরে তারা ঠিক করে মালিকের কাছে ফিরিয়ে দিবে। ব্যাগ খুজার জন্য তাদের এলাকায় পুলিশ আসে, জানা যায় ব্যাগের মালিক খুন হয়েছে। রহস্যজনক ভাবে মোর নেয় গল্পটি।

[Aydan Yalçın · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Ülkemizin şu anda neye ihtiyacı var?
Üç şeye:
Devrime.
Sonra, devrime.
Ve ortalık durulduktan sonra, bir kez daha, devrime."

ÇOK GÜZELDİ BEE! Her bir karakteri o kadar çok sevdim ki! Böyle kitaplar bittiğinde karakterlerle vedalaştığım için çok üzülüyorum. Hepsini sarıp sarmalayasım var. Mesela insan Jun-Jun'a nasıl veda eder? Edemez. Kalpler kırık. 💔💔💔

[Kirsty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was totally different from anything else I have read so far this year. It hit on a variety of topics which made me think and was generally a nice read.

The story was told from the point of view of three boys (along with ocassional commentary from other secondary characters) who live and work in trash, namely the city landfill site. They make their living from wading through the rubbish thrown out by the people in the city they live in. The first thing that really struck home for me whilst reading this was how this was infact normal life for a huge number of people which really hit home with me and possible the main reason why this should be a more widely read book. The fact that there was a free school on site which the children didn't use just highlighted how poor these people were.

The main thrust of the story is a mystery based around a bag found by the boys one day which as it unravels throws up a great deal of moral questions about poverty, police and statement corruption and the ever growing divide between the world's most rich and the world's most poor. The story goes along quite nicely and ends with a Robin Hoodesque morale to the story. In truth I didn't find it the most engaging story nor did I think the ending fit with the story as a whole.

Certainly a book with a moral conscious which if nothing else makes it one you ought to read but do bear in mind it is probably aimed at younger readers as the story is quite straight forward and predictable.

[Nima Kohandani · Rating 5 out of 5]

اصولاً زیاد داستان های رئال نمیخونم اما این یکی رو خوندم و برام جذابیتی خارق العاده داشت

اردیبهشت 94 شروع کردمش، بعد دیگه نخوندمش تا هفته ی پیش. توی یک هفته یه چهل صفحه ای پیش رفتم اما دیشب نشستم و تمومش کردم. حدود 150 صقحه رو خوندم چون من رو به شدت جذب کرده بود

به نظر من رئالیستی موفقه که بتونه با همون عناصر رئال، داستانی این چنین جذاب خلق کنه

داستان از یک زباله دونی و بچه های توش به سیاستمداری خلق میشه که معاون رئیس جمهوره و البته نقش چندانی در داستان نداره

چند بچه ی آشغال یا به عبارتی زباله، کسانی که از وقتی چهار دست و پا راه می رفتن توی زباله ها بزرگ شدن، شاید از بزرگ ترین راز کثیف کشورشون پرده بر می دارن اما نه برای کسی و نه قراره اتفاق خاصی بیفته و نه قراره کشور رو نجات بدن! اونا توی دنیای خودشونن و فقط به هدف خودشون می رسن.

این داستان کاملاً رئال بود و کاملاً فوق العاده

ممنون از نشر ویدا و ممنون از مترجمش

[سپیده سالاروند · Rating 5 out of 5]

کتاب مثل خیلی کتاب‌های نوجوانان ماجراجویانه است و معمایی اما قهرمان‌های داستان سه تا بچه‌ی زباله گردن و نکاتی که در موردشون می‌گه، ان‌جی‌اوهایی که اونجا کار می‌کنن و کلی نکته‌ی ریز دیگه بسیار دقیق و درسته و چقدر خوب که بچه‌ها این چیزا رو بخونن به جای دید ترحمی و آخی‌ای داشتن به بچه‌های زباله‌گرد..
پیدا شدن کتاب برای من که با بچه‌های زباله گرد کار می‌کنم عین معجزه بود و بلعیده‌مش. بخونیدنش و گول طرح جلد زشت نسخه‌ی فارسی‌ش رو نخورید.

[Aurora Aubert · Rating 3 out of 5]

u are what u read

[Mohammad Kamrul Hasan · Rating 4 out of 5]

অনেক চমৎকার একটা বই।

[Caro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know I am over-excited by any book I read, and I know I always say I love a book and that everyone should read it. I know that. But right now, when I am going to say what I am going to say about this book, you need to forget anything I have ever said on any book I ever reviewed on this blog.
I may love werewolves, fantasy, dystopian universes, funky writing styles and kick-ass heroines but all of this is irrelevant and superfluous. If you read one book this year, just a single one, make sure you read Trash.

The story takes place in a poor developing country in an unnamed South American country. Raphael Fernandez lives in a slum and his only income comes from the trash where he might find something valuable (mostly not) or just pile the plastic and get paid (not a lot). He is not the only one, hundreds, thousands of other people live this way in his country (and in others).
One day, he finds a bag with something inside that will change his world most completely. With his friends Gardo and Rat (his real name being Jun-Jun) he goes to find out exactly what it is he found in this bag. And what he'll find will be something much, much bigger than he ever thought and which will endanger his life.

The story is told from the alternate point of view of Raphael, Gardo, Rat and other characters where each writes a chapter after the events have taken place to recount what happened to them. It was a fascinating way of discovering this story. You will find serious conversations and heart-breaking moments. You will also read little bickerings between the boys to prove who is the most courageous or smartest and I found they were the sweetest things.
I have to admit that I fell for the character of Rat in the first pages where he appeared. I wanted to just drop everything, take a plane ticket and go to Behala to hold him in my arms. Raphael and Gardo have both lost their parents, but they still have uncles or aunts or someone they could claim as family. Rat doesn't have anyone and lives by himself in the slum with rats for sole company (hence the nickname). He is even bullied by the other kids in the slum for being different. You also see how the slum is organised and how the local Mission to help kids get out of this situation works. The story is amazing but the whole context of the book is done brilliantly giving you a panorama of what life is like there.

And do you know what is beautiful and sad at the same time? It's that it doesn't even feel like a fiction book. This situation where kids are left to live in trash while their political leaders live in extreme wealth has existed, still exists and will undoubtedly continue to exist. It is so easy to close your eyes and not look at the millions of images of poor children in developing countries. So easy to look away from what is happening to the majority of the world population. Andy Mulligan not only makes us look at these kids but he makes see how wrong we are to ignore them. They have strictly nothing and yet they have everything: courage, wit, strength, faith, loyalty and honesty (not in the not-telling-lies kind of way). These kids are made of awesome.

The book isn't only about poverty. It is also about the disparity which exists between the two extremes (poorest and richest) in the population. The governments or some leaders get millions from international companies, international organisations and from exploiting their fellow countrymen while thousands of people live in inhuman and inhumane conditions. Some courageous persons try to speak and change the situation but they usually die young. The violence is extreme and the democracy is clearly just a name. It is a pity nothing more is done on our part, really. I liked the fact that this story could be universal because no emphasis was put on a precise country.


I can't tell you how fantastic this book is, you really need to read it to see for yourself. I won't disclose much of the plot (i.e. tell you what is in the bag) nor emphasize on all the qualities of the book because it is a book which you will enjoy reading, where you will learn things and which will make you think. We definitely need more books like this.

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

Far from diverting attention from the Philippines, the seemingly insignificant details that Andy Mulligan utilized in Trash even serve to reinforce the idea that the story was actually set in our very own Manila, particularly in that hectares-big dumpsite called Payatas. (Smoky Mountain, the old dumpsite in Tondo, has since been closed and abandoned. In the book, Payatas was renamed Behala.) Aside from familiar places in the metro and the very Filipino names, most telling, in my opinion, is the fact that the dialogue used by the young protagonists is replete with the word po, which denotes respect when speaking to older people. If you could think of any other third-world country that speaks po aside from the Philippines, then I would gladly be enlightened.

But I digress. Trash is the story of Raphael, Gardo, and Jun-jun alias Rat: three dumpsite boys who find – well, maybe not exactly treasure – in trash, but something life-altering, at the very least. Classic and far-from-exceptional plot, yes. Even I could easily construct a storyline similar to this one. But the fact that the concept, atmosphere, and even political and historical milieu of the story are structured with the Philippines in mind brings this novel close to home - literally and figuratively.

Trash was simply written. So simple, in fact, that the style felt amateurish and basic to me. Not that there's anything wrong with basic, don't get me wrong, but it could have been better. Plot-wise, I appreciated the mystery that it presented, although how it will eventually play out in the end was pretty much predictable. 

There were specific parts in the novel, however, that elicited feelings of indignation from me. The portrayal of the 3 dumpsite boys, and how they displayed their cunning, deviousness and street-smartness, made me cringe inwardly - could be that I was also in denial that little boys like them could be so deceiving. The police brutality that was so graphically described also made me wrinkle my nose in disgust. But the truth of the matter is that the things and situations in the book are real-life, everyday events that I've merely taken for granted, and having to read it like that is like being splashed by cold water right in the face. Yes, my country's state of affairs and poverty level are dismal and leave much to be desired, and change doesn't look forthcoming in the near future. Having accepted this as a fact, I would prefer not reading about it anymore, thank you very much.

Also posted here.

[Praxedes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a perfect Middle School book! It is about how three friends found a way out of poverty in the most unusual of circumstances --a modern day rags to riches. It is narrated in turns by all the main characters and some secondary ones, and this revolving-door style works well, reflecting the interdependence of the kids as they solve clues to right a wrong and improve their lot in life.

Towards the end of the book Mulligan inserted several newspaper clippings to move the story forward; they were distracting and unnecessary, and appear to be a one-time-only use of this literary device. Why did he bother? Oh well.

Definitely recommended for young teenagers! Although adults who have read it feel a strong connection to it the way they do with other titles such as 'Holes' or 'The Giver'.

[Guy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Before reading this book, I vacuumed the house, gave my dog a bath, memorised jabberwocky, did a 5000 piece puzzle, coloured in my homework book and spent time with my family being social *shivers*. Anything to not read this book.

0.5

Terrible.

This book, was simply a task to finish. It didn't draw me in. Writing average. I hoped for the 3 boys to die in the end, anything to stop the misery story. Like the title says, it simply belongs in the 'Trash'.

Even if you have 2 hours to waste, I'm more than sure you have better things to do.

[Sophia · Rating 1 out of 5]

DONE!

FINISHED!

Shall give it as a gift to my enemies

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trash is a young adult novel and is based on the lives of 3 boys who make a living out of sorting through garbage in an unnamed country. The author states in the acknowledgements that the Behala dumpsite is based on a place he visited while in Manila. These dumpsite boys, Raphael, Gardo and Rat, make a mysterious and valuable find. The police are also trying to find this item and are offering a large reward for its return. The boys decide to keep the item and that is the start of a dangerous journey for all of them. This is one of the most original and exciting young adult novels I’ve read in a long time. Although these kids live in terrible poverty, they have so much hope and faith that their lives will get better. They were intelligent and industrious and I hoped throughout the book for a happy ending for all of them. I just found out that this book was made into a movie, so I’m looking forward to seeing if it is as good as the book.

[Amina Hujdur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roman mi se jako svidio, iako nisam imala velika očekivanja. Napeta priča puna akcije, humanosti, dječije mudrosti i naivnosti, sa univerzalnom poukom da se trebamo boriti protiv korupcije.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the banned books my library had as a suggested read for teens. I read it with my children.
Three boys find a wallet with information in it that leads them on a journey they'll never forget. Set in one of the poorest towns in India, you learn how children live in the dump and sift through garbage to earn their money.
It was truly eye opening. From the living conditions to the prison and graveyard. Well written and warms the heart even with the poverty and darkness.

[Ümit Mutlu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yoksul bir üçüncü dünya ülkesindeki zengin-yoksul uçurumlu bir şehir; ve o şehrin en kötü mahallelerinden birinde, çöplüğün içinde yaşayan üç çocuk. Raphael, Gardo ve Jun-Jun. Bir gün o üç çocuk, günlük rutinlerini gerçekleştirirken –yani çöp toplarken– hayatlarını tümden değiştirecek bir şeyle karşılaşırlar ve kendilerini sosyopolitik bir maceranın içinde bulurlar.

Andy Mulligan’ın Çöplük isimli romanını yukarıdaki paragrafla özetlemek mümkün aslında. Ancak bu özet, doğru olduğu kadar eksik de. Her şeyden önce, müthiş kurgusuna, çarpıcı gerçekçiliğine ve karakterlerinin derinliğine yapılacak bir haksızlık. 2012 yılında Carnegie Madalyası finalisti de olan Çöplük, gerçekten de temelde bu hikâyeyi anlatıyor; fakat özele inildiğinde, yansıttığı perspektifin, çöp dağları gibi çok katmanlı olduğunu kolayca görülüyor.

Tabii ki öncelikle, baskın bir yoksulluk teması var kitapta: Hepimizin, dünyada yaşayan herkesin yakından tanıdığı ama ısrarla sırtını döndüğü bir gerçeklik. Zaten kitaba adını veren çöplük de tüm kurgunun can damarı. İçinde milyonlarca ton çöp, yüzlerce yitik yaşam, bir iki kırık dökük umut parçası ve bir de çanta barındıran bu uçsuz bucaksız çöp çölü, üç ufaklığın hayatını değiştiriyor.

Bu üç çocuk, yani başkahramanlarımız da kitabın gerçekçiliğinden nasibini alıyor. Kartondan yapılmış tipler değil bunlar; nefes alıp veren, sayan, söven, hayata tutunabilmek adına tırnaklarını parçalayan, hakiki karakterler. Bu hakikat, edebi bir mübalağa değil kesinlikle; Raphael’i, Gardo’yu ve Jun-Jun’u, biraz dikkatli bakan herkes görebilir mahallesinde, semtinde... özellikle de çöp konteynerlerinin çevresinde.

Bu gerçekliğe karşın kitapta duygu sömürüsüne hiç her yok. Çocuklar, çocuk işte: Açlığın ve sefaletin içinde de yaşasalar yine de çocuklar ve hayat dolular. Özellikle Jun-Jun harika bir karakter; Raphael ve Gardo’dan bile daha kötü durumda ama onlardan çok daha ümitli.

Kitap konuya da derinlemesine dalıyor. Çocukların başlattığı hikâye dallanıp budaklanarak hiç beklenmedik bir yere varıyor. Ve vardığı nokta, devletler tarihi ansiklopedisinin istisnasız her sayfasında görülebilen, pis, cerahat dolu ama maalesef tanıdık bir tema: yozlaşmış devlet adamları, yolsuzluk ve rüşvet.

Ülkecek bizim de yakından tanıdığımız bu konu, ilerledikçe kitabın ana teması haline geliyor. Raphael, Gardo ve Jun-Jun, kendilerini, gerçekleri ortaya çıkarmaya da adıyorlar; hem onlara miras kalmış bir mektubun hem de fakirliklerinin yarattığı gururlarının doğrultusunda.

Yani aslında, kahverengiden maviye uzanan bir yol hikâyesi Çöplük. Pisliğin içinden başlayıp denizde bitiyor. Esaretin Bedeli’ndeki Andy Dufresne’nin, 500 metrelik atık tünelinde ilerleyip Pasifik’te temizlenmesi gibi...

Çok güçlü bir roman bu. Gücünü de öncelikle yazarından alıyor. Andy Mulligan, okuruyla alay etmeyen, onu aptal yerine koymayan biri. Anlattığı zor hikâyenin inandırıcılığını sarsacak yollara girmeyen cümleleri ve hayal gücüyle, okuruna son derece hakiki bir öykü sunuyor. Çocukları aldatmanın, sanılanın aksine aslında en zor şey olduğunun o da farkında; bu yüzden de daha ilk satırdan itibaren dürüstlüğü elden bırakmıyor.

Yazar, kurduğu gerçekçi dünya ve yarattığı kirli atmosferin yanı sıra, tezatlardan oluşan öyküsünü de gayet başarıyla aktarıyor. Bir şehrin en dibi ile en yüksek kısmı arasındaki farkı her satırda hissettiriyor. Çocuklar mesela, en dipte işte: çöplükte. Bundan daha aşağısı yok. Koca bir şehir tarafından istenmeyen atıklar onlar, buldukları şeylerse bol bol çöp... Diğer yandaysa, tabii ki küçük bir zümre olarak, milyon dolarlarla oynayan insanlar var...

2014 yılında Umut Kırıntıları adıyla beyazperdeye de uyarlanan Çöplük, çocuklukla vedalaşmak üzere olan genç okurlardan, en yetkin yetişkin kitaplarını bile hatmeden kitapkurtlarına kadar herkesin severek okuyacağı, gerçeklerle örülü bir roman.

BirGün

[MD Mijanor Rahman Medul Medul · Rating 5 out of 5]

রিভিউ:::

বইয়ের নাম : ট্র্যাশ
লেখক : অ্যান্ডি মুলিগান
প্রকাশকাল : ২০১০
অনুবাদক : শাহেদ জামান
অনুবাদ প্রকাশকাল : জুন ২০১৮
প্রকাশনী : বাতিঘর প্রকাশনী
জনরা : টিনেজ থ্রিলার
পৃষ্টা সংখ্যা : ১৯০
মূল্য : ২২০ টাকা মুদ্রিত।

কাহিনী সংক্ষেপ ::
গল্পটা টোকাইদের নিয়ে । না! টোকাইদের নিয়ে কোন সহানুভূতিশীল অথবা স্পর্শকাতর গল্প নয়। ভিন্ন ধরনের থৃলার। হ্যাঁ, থৃলার।
টোকাইদের জীবন আর কি নিয়েই হয়? আবর্জনার স্তুপ, ভাগার, ময়লা। তাদের পড়নে নাই ভালো জামা কাপড়, নেই প্রাতিষ্ঠানিক শিক্ষা। তাদের সকাল থেকে সন্ধ্যে অবধী কাটে ময়লার স্তুপেই। বিশাল পাহারের মতো ময়লার স্তুপে টোকাইরা সারাদিন ঘাটাঘাটি করে পায় আবর্জনা, খালি ক্যান, বোতল, টব, কখনো বা স্টুল।
এভাবেই দিন কাটছিল গল্পের মূল চরিত্র রাফায়েল ফার্নান্দেজ এর। ব্রাজিল এর একটি শহর বেহালাতে, একটি বিশাল ময়লার পাহারে রাফায়েল, ও আর দুই বন্ধু গার্দো এবং রেট ময়লা আবর্জনা টোকাত। সব কিছুই ভালো চলছিল, যতক্ষন না রাফায়েল একদিন আবর্জনার স্তুপ থেকে একটি পরিত্যাক্ত ওয়ালেট খুঁজে পেল। রাফায়েল জানতো না ঐ জিনিশটার মূল্য। সে নিজের কাছে রেখে দিয়েছে এটা। তারপর এই ওয়ালেট টি খুঁজে পাওয়ার জন্য স্থানীয় পুলিশ প্রসাশন বড় অঙ্কের পুরস্কার ঘোষনা করলো। কি আছে এই ওয়ালেট টিতে যার জন্য বিশাল পুরস্কার? তারপর নেমে আসে রাফায়েল এর উপর নির্বাক অত্যাচার, ওয়ালেট টি নেয়ার জন্য রাফায়েলকে পুলিশ ধরার চেষ্টা করে আর রাফায়েল এটার রহস্য উৎঘাটন করায় মরিয়া হয়ে উঠে। তিন বন্ধু মিলে এই রহস্য উৎঘাটনের সময় বের হয়ে আসে আমাদের সমাজে অসুস্থ রাজনীতি, দুর্নীতি, ক্ষমতাশীনদের ক্ষমতার অপব্যবহার সহ আরো অনেক কিছু। রাফায়েল, গার্দো,আর রেট এর এই রহস্য উৎঘাটনে আপনাকে স্বাগতম অ্যান্ডি মুলিগান এর ট্র্যাশ আবর্জনার দুনিয়াতে।

পাঠ প্রতিক্রিয়া ::
Trash ট্র্যাশ যার আভিধানিক অর্থ আবর্জনা। লেখক অ্যান্ডি মুলিগান এর বসবাস দক্ষিন লন্ডনে। ট্র্যাশ বইটি লেখক এর সবচে জনপ্রিয় বই বলা যায়। তো বইটি সত্যি খুব উপভোগ্য ছিল। নান্দনিক একটি গল্প ছিল, গল্পের প্লট ছিল অসাধারন। বিভিন্ন ব্যাক্তির কনফেশন এর মাধ্যমে গল্পটি এগিয়ে গেছে। আবর্জনার ভাগারে টোকাইদের নিয়ে সত্যি চমৎকার একটি গল্প লেখক সাজিয়েছন। সবচে ভালো লেগেছে গল্পের শেষ অংশে কবরস্থান এর ঘটনাটা। গতানুগতিক থ্রিলার এর মতো টুইস্ট, বা সাসপেন্স না থাকলেও গল্পে বলার স্টাইল এবং কাহানী পেক্ষাপট আকর্ষন এর কেন্দ্রবিন্দু। সর্বাপরি বলা যা যে ভালো লেগেছে খুব।

মজার ব্যাপার হলো বাতিঘর প্রকাশনীর বই কিন্তু বইটিতে তেমন বানান ভুল এবার চোখে পড়েনি। আর বাঁধাইও মোটামুটি ভালো।

অনুবাদক প্রসঙ্গে ::
২০১৮ সালে বাতিঘর প্রকাশনী থেকে প্রকাশিত অ্যান্ডি মুলিগান এর ট্র্যাশ বইটি অনুবাদ করেছেন শাহেদ জামান। অনুবাদ এর মান সাবলীল এবং সুন্দর। বইটি পড়ায় তেমন কোন সমস্যা হয়নি। ১৯০ পৃষ্টার বইটিতে কোথাও মনে হয়নি যে অনুবাদ খারাপ ছিল।

রেটিং : ৫/৫
অনুবাদ রেটিং : ৪/৫

মিদুল
২৩-০৩-২০১৯, দুপুর ১২:১৫
ঢাকা।