Patrick Maher shows how life is for a
girl who attends a private school and well-sheltered life, everything is
provided. If her laptop chord is burned, she calls her father and asks for a
replacement. She does her writing homework and goes about her life as expected
of a school girl.
But there is more to what meets the
eye. Pleng’s thoughts reveal that she yearns for attention from her parents:
her father is always out on business and her mother is alive at night and
asleep by day. She has issues with authority in school, and has shameless
tendencies when it comes to her approach towards her teachers. Her character
description must sound like that of an insecure, troubled child, but she is
unaware of her gifts and talents.
Maher is an incredible writer and
this shows in Pleng’s voice and written works.
Characterization
Patrick Maher takes the perspective very well, and this is reflected in Pleng’s characterization.
Pleng takes everything personally.
Based on her observations, her writing teacher’s statements, Mr. James is
always against her. It feels like her mother’s drinking problems is caused by
her. Her actions then are a result of a girl with attitude problems. For a
smart girl, she believes in horoscopes and treats money so lightly because it
is not what she worked hard for to earn.
There are two sides to Pleng, the
scared child, who tries to be a grownup and the spoiled brat who causes trouble
just to seek attention. Her thoughts and words are excellently translated and
described in the book.
But the monotony of her life is about to
change when she identifies the real problems in her life, runs away from home,
and figures out how to survive them all.
It is said that water cleanses and
purifies, but does flood water work the same way?
Highlights of the book
Her thoughts and feelings are
revealed in her outputs most of the time and her imagination is given more
depth in the way she wishes her life were like. Some underlying themes in the
book touch on family relationships, school environment and the way we treat
people around us, as well as envy.
There are events that have a
supernatural treatment. The chronology and facts are well-supported, as the
events unfold one by one. This is a modern folklore.
Pleng’s song is a book fit for people
of all ages. It teaches that determination and common sense can help survive
life’s challenges, and that repentance does come at the end.
