Presenting Strong Family Values with Sound Philosophical and Multicultural Edge*
When I first got Trifles, I did not intend to read the entire book. Instead, I wanted to scan through it quickly and get back to my hectic schedule. That was not to be however, because the moment I read the Introduction, I was tempted to read Chapter One, then Chapter Two, then Chapter Three, etc. This was so because the flow of ideas in the book is so vivid, fascinating and inspiring that one is compelled to read it through to the very end. But it is not just how well written it is or the use of creative literary techniques in it that makes the book so captivating. Indeed Trifles is unique for a number of reasons.
First, the intimate interactions between the two families – one white and another black — beautifully and realistically portray the true values of modern Canada as a multicultural society. In this vein, the level of mutual trust, wisdom and authentic display of both faltering and resilient human attributes represented by the two families, with such a polarity of racial and cultural backgrounds, find striking similarities in a reader’s daily experience and human dispositions. Furthermore, their common adoration for Mandela, King and Ghandi as well as Kennedy indisputably demonstrates that even though we may look different or follow different creeds, our common human aspirations, and desires for ideal models of perfection, are congruently similar.
Second, the book brings out the Author’s great family values, profound intellect and personal weltanschauung as well as his academic orientation: his deep-seated philosophical thought, scientific knowledge and poetic sentiments. Yet these ideas are written in so ordinary a language that even anyone without any backgrounds in these areas will find the book utterly irresistible.
Lastly, the author’s choice of females as main characters, women that outshine their male counterparts in wisdom and intellect at every single encounter, is one that clearly strikes a chord with a reader. The wealth of intelligence shown by Adut and Angelina, as opposed to that of their elder brothers, Chol and Jimmy, for instance, notwithstanding their ages, is a theme that resonates resoundingly with the contemporary environment in which women are no longer passive recipients of the “goodwill” of their male counterparts. Instead, Trifles appropriately shows women as active participants in the process of shaping the destiny of their societies.
In general, not only is Trifles a good read, in fact those who deeply believe in the significance of decent families will consider Trifles as an immortal family Moral Code.
*Reviewed by Santino Mabek Dau. Mr. Dau is a Law student in University of Ottawa
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A Solid Offering that Explores the Family Dynamic of People in a New Country*
In Trifles, author Kuir ë Garang shows us parenting from a perspective that many who are born in North America may not consider: multiculturalism. That is, parents who want the best for their children in their new country, and who seek to embrace new traditions, but who also struggle with keeping alive the established traditions of their homeland. This is difficult for parents who have emigrated and are raising their children here. As for the children, it can seem quite overwhelming, as they are born into a multicultural society and must strive to fit in, while on the other hand, their parents find it important to teach them the ways of their homeland.
Consider the main character of the book, Angelina, and her family: Father Oliver and Mother Jacqueline. We see early on that Angelina is a child who is prone to speaking her mind and asking things that we, as adults, may consider odd or downright uncomfortable. In fact, Angelina, it seems, speaks as one much older than her tender years. This, of course, has her father trying to understand exactly why she is this way.
What makes this book unique is that we are made to feel a part of the family from the opening chapter. It deftly weaves the family’s history around a present day narrative. Authentically written, the reader feels as though he/she is actually there, whether it is at the breakfast table, with Angelina being tutored, or even in conversation with Angelina and her tutors. The author’s style is very relaxed and successfully draws the reader into the story, and while there are several larger issues at play (school troubles, police involvement, sudden illness), the story is grounded with the more mundane side of things, such as a family breakfast for instance.
This allows the reader to identify with the family, as everyone has had these experiences. Finally, Trifles is written in such a way that anyone can pick it up and immediately be drawn into the story—anticipating each subsequent scene.
*Reviewed by Erik S. Heyl for www.gettingbookreviews.com
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"Kuir Garang puts a poetic touch to everything he writes."
Kola Boof, author of Diary of the lost girl, Flesh and the devil, The Nile River Woman etc