Trash by Andy Mulligan Book Review

Throughout the novel ‘Trash’ the key characters Gardo, Raphael, and Jun-Jun start as immature characters. At the outset of the book, Raphael is depicted as a childish character. This is indicated by Gardo’s statement, “He’s like a kid, always laughing…. thinking it’s a game”(pg.27). As the novel progresses, Raphael grows in wisdom and courage. When interrogated by the police, he chose to continue lying in order to defend (and remain true) to his friends. Rat, alias Jun-Jun, is illustrated as a quiet, tentative, and sweet character who is constantly overlooked by other children. Jun-Jun refused to trust people at first, but he quickly discovered the worth of both friends and family. His constant affectionate demeanor shows his love towards his friends. Raphael has acquired confidence and wisdom by the end of the novel, while Jun-Jun has learned to trust and love.

Andy Mulligan employs language features in the book to keep readers interested in the plot. Foreshadowing, personification, analogy, similes, and metaphors are all examples he uses. Foreshadowing is used when Gardo is talking about the police, “Not dealing with the fact that if the police think you've got something, they won't stop till they've got it from you” (pg.35). In the book, there are several instances of similes. “Money, however, is more important, and it is dripping all the time, like precious water” (pg.135). This simile symbolises money dripping or being slowly lost, as though it were precious water. The use of these instruments engages the listener and provide a strong visualization of what is happening.

The author used numerous narrators to construct the book. He does this to showcase the plot from multiple perspectives, as well as what the characters are feeling and experiencing at various moments. Since the reader can see the situation from different perspectives, this effectively engages them in the book. When defining scenarios or circumstances, past or present tense is often used. The author employs methods such as backstories to build the characters; each character has a unique storyline. Take Jun-Jun, for example;  the reader discovers in the book Jun-Jun was born on Sampalo Island and plans to return there. This adds to the complexity of his character. Cliffhangers are another example of language features used in this book. Just about every chapter ends with a cliffhanger, which the author uses to entice the reader to continue reading the novel.

Olivia Weston (Chapter 10, Part 3, at the end) 

I staggered out of the prison in a daze, unsure of what to do. The idea that a mere 14-year-old could flatter me, whilst totally deceiving me astounded me. On one hand, I admired the lengths to which the Behala dumpsite boys had to go to survive. However, the betrayal I’m experiencing feels like someone tearing out my heart. I had grown to admire and trust the children of Behala, but now I’m at a complete loss for words.