Scan barcode
A review by theengineerisreading
The Land of Forgotten Girls by Erin Entrada Kelly
5.0
I am actually out of words to describe this latest read of mine but I will still try to give my honest opinion on how this book, The Land of Forgotten Girls by Erin Entrada Kelly, made an impact right after reading it.
A follow-up read after finishing Erin’s debut novel, Blackbird Fly, The Land of Forgotten Girls gave a different approach and style that will surely make you think about life. Generally, TLOFG revolved on the story of Sol and Ming, Filipina sisters who were left to live with their stepmother Vea in Louisiana after their dad decided not to come back after his visit to the Philippines. The story highlighted Sol and Ming’s struggle under the cruel hands of the stepmother whom they called ‘Evil Vea’ and how they managed to escape the harsh reality through their wit and imagination.
I won’t spoil you with the rest of the book but TLOFG is packed with various backstories about Sol’s family, especially their mother Amelia who died right before they move to US and her younger sister Amelia who drowned when she was young, and these backstories were all helpful in developing the characters of Sol and Ming since it all helped in establishing Sol’s courage and imagination, and Ming’s bravery and creativity as well.
One of the best things I loved about this book is the positive attitude of Sol, the main character, who always managed to bring a streak of sunshine in her sleeve whenever dark clouds start hindering her way. It’s a big deal since the target readers for this book are middle grade children and at this stage of life, the most important thing to share with them are the principles of optimism and never-give-up attitude.
Lastly, I got confused at the latter part of the story because I was expecting a great revelation about Sol and Ming’s mysterious auntie but the revelation did not happened. I’m not disappointed with this, by the way, because, in the end, it showed the true moral of the story and that is to never underestimate the power of imaginative minds and another thing is that, sometimes all you need is a sister.
Best Quote:
“Maybe it was stupid, but I didn’t care. The best thing about having a mind is that it’s invisible—you can think whatever you want, even if it’s childish, and it doesn’t matter. Your thoughts belong to you, and only you.”
A follow-up read after finishing Erin’s debut novel, Blackbird Fly, The Land of Forgotten Girls gave a different approach and style that will surely make you think about life. Generally, TLOFG revolved on the story of Sol and Ming, Filipina sisters who were left to live with their stepmother Vea in Louisiana after their dad decided not to come back after his visit to the Philippines. The story highlighted Sol and Ming’s struggle under the cruel hands of the stepmother whom they called ‘Evil Vea’ and how they managed to escape the harsh reality through their wit and imagination.
I won’t spoil you with the rest of the book but TLOFG is packed with various backstories about Sol’s family, especially their mother Amelia who died right before they move to US and her younger sister Amelia who drowned when she was young, and these backstories were all helpful in developing the characters of Sol and Ming since it all helped in establishing Sol’s courage and imagination, and Ming’s bravery and creativity as well.
One of the best things I loved about this book is the positive attitude of Sol, the main character, who always managed to bring a streak of sunshine in her sleeve whenever dark clouds start hindering her way. It’s a big deal since the target readers for this book are middle grade children and at this stage of life, the most important thing to share with them are the principles of optimism and never-give-up attitude.
Lastly, I got confused at the latter part of the story because I was expecting a great revelation about Sol and Ming’s mysterious auntie but the revelation did not happened. I’m not disappointed with this, by the way, because, in the end, it showed the true moral of the story and that is to never underestimate the power of imaginative minds and another thing is that, sometimes all you need is a sister.
Best Quote:
“Maybe it was stupid, but I didn’t care. The best thing about having a mind is that it’s invisible—you can think whatever you want, even if it’s childish, and it doesn’t matter. Your thoughts belong to you, and only you.”