Our co-worker, Ali recommended The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis to Janelle a week or two ago, so Janelle went to the library to get it, but it was out and there were hundreds (literally) of holds on it so Janelle got The Heaven Shop instead. She enjoyed it so much that I decided (reluctantly) to read it as well.
I have never before read such a rewarding and joyful book. That may seem a little sensational, but honestly, this is one of the most remarkable books I have ever read.
Its main character, Binti Phiri lives in Blantyre, Malawi with her father, and older brother and sister. Her father owns the Heaven Shop from the title. He makes coffins. The business' slogan is, "Our coffins will take you swiftly to heaven." Binti and her siblings go to private schools. Binti's older sister, Junie, is engaged to a young man named Noel and they plan to be married when she graduates. Kwasi, her brother, is an artist. He loves to draw. Binti is a radio star: she performs as a voice actress on the radio show Story Time that is broadcast throughout Malawi.
Unfortunately, her father has AIDS and dies of pneumonia. The extended family swoops down, sells the house and business and take the children away. Junie and Binti are taken away from their brother, Kwasi and taken to live in Lilongwe with their uncle Wysom and aunt Agnes and their children. They are mistreated and made to work hard. They are not allowed to eat with their cousins or use the same dishes or utensils because their father died of AIDS.
The story is full of sorrow and joy, grace and forgiveness, and love. It is a remarkable story of victory over injustice and triumph over circumstances. The greatest injustice in this story is AIDS. Many of its characters have AIDS through no fault of their own but they choose not to let that define who they are and they live brilliantly and victoriously in spite of it. Other characters are abusive and self centered, they take advantage of others; but the story's protagonists, though often brought down, triumph graciously in spite of all the abuses they are made to suffer and learn to show grace to others.
The rampant grace demonstrated in this novel is what moved me most. I want to tell Deborah Ellis that her novel is life-changing and give her a giant hug for having written it. I hope that doesn't seem creepy.
I have never before read such a rewarding and joyful book. That may seem a little sensational, but honestly, this is one of the most remarkable books I have ever read.
Its main character, Binti Phiri lives in Blantyre, Malawi with her father, and older brother and sister. Her father owns the Heaven Shop from the title. He makes coffins. The business' slogan is, "Our coffins will take you swiftly to heaven." Binti and her siblings go to private schools. Binti's older sister, Junie, is engaged to a young man named Noel and they plan to be married when she graduates. Kwasi, her brother, is an artist. He loves to draw. Binti is a radio star: she performs as a voice actress on the radio show Story Time that is broadcast throughout Malawi.
Unfortunately, her father has AIDS and dies of pneumonia. The extended family swoops down, sells the house and business and take the children away. Junie and Binti are taken away from their brother, Kwasi and taken to live in Lilongwe with their uncle Wysom and aunt Agnes and their children. They are mistreated and made to work hard. They are not allowed to eat with their cousins or use the same dishes or utensils because their father died of AIDS.
The story is full of sorrow and joy, grace and forgiveness, and love. It is a remarkable story of victory over injustice and triumph over circumstances. The greatest injustice in this story is AIDS. Many of its characters have AIDS through no fault of their own but they choose not to let that define who they are and they live brilliantly and victoriously in spite of it. Other characters are abusive and self centered, they take advantage of others; but the story's protagonists, though often brought down, triumph graciously in spite of all the abuses they are made to suffer and learn to show grace to others.
The rampant grace demonstrated in this novel is what moved me most. I want to tell Deborah Ellis that her novel is life-changing and give her a giant hug for having written it. I hope that doesn't seem creepy.
depends - is it creepy that i want to give you a giant hug for reading it and loving it too?
ReplyDeletecuz i do.
it's a great book.
The Breadwinner is amazing! Read it with my Reading Club kids, along with Parvana's Journey. They loved it as much as I did - which says a LOT.
ReplyDeleteI loved this book!! I feel like Binti is ME!!
ReplyDeleteOk, I have to read it. You give good reviews, Patrick
ReplyDeletehey Pat, I haven't been on your blog for so long...that's a refreshing review, makes me wanna read the book too!
ReplyDelete