Overview
"Trash" by Andy Mulligan is a novel set in a third-world dumpsite where three boys—Raphael, Gardo, and Rat—discover a mysterious bag containing a key, a map, and a wallet, leading them through a corrupt political conspiracy involving stolen money, police violence, and coded secrets. Their journey highlights themes of poverty, resilience, corruption, and justice, ending with their escape and a final act of returning stolen wealth to the poor.
Main Characters and Setting
- Raphael, Gardo, and Rat (Jun-Jun) are young trash pickers living in Behala's dumpsite, a place of extreme poverty and squalor.
- The story's backdrop highlights lack of sanitation, crowded shanties, and the daily struggle for survival.
Discovery and Consequences
- Raphael finds a bag containing a wallet, map, and key tied to a larger crime and a dead man, Jos Angelico.
- The police aggressively search for the missing bag, offering large rewards and using intimidation and violence.
- The boys hide the bag with Rat, suspecting the police are untrustworthy.
Investigation and Risks
- They unveil the bag's contents and learn about Jos Angelico’s connection to a political scandal involving six million dollars stolen from Senator Zapanta.
- The boys decode the mystery using a locker key at Central Station and a letter intended for Gabriel Olondriz in prison.
- Raphael is arrested and tortured by police but does not betray his friends or reveal the bag’s location.
Alliance and Revelations
- With the help of adults like Father Juilliard and Sister Olivia, the boys research Jos Angelico and Senator Zapanta, exposing layers of political corruption.
- A trip to Colva Prison with Olivia reveals Olondriz’s background, book-code secrets, and the importance of Gabriel’s Bible in solving the puzzle.
Decoding the Secret
- Using the code from the letter and Olondriz’s Bible, the boys crack the riddle, directing them to a grave in Naravo Cemetery.
- They discover a coffin filled with the stolen money, intended to be returned to the people.
Climax and Resolution
- The boys narrowly escape the police and spread the money across the dump for the poor, avoiding personal gain.
- With little Pia, Jos Angelico's daughter, they disguise themselves, leave Behala, and start new lives as fishermen on Sampalo island.
Themes and Takeaways
- The novel explores poverty, systemic corruption, trust, loyalty, and the struggle for justice.
- Through courage and ingenuity, the boys challenge authority and eventually enact a form of justice by restoring stolen wealth to the community.
Key Plot Points
- Discovery of the leather bag sparks the chain of events.
- Raphael's arrest and torture show the extent of police brutality and corruption.
- The coded letter and Bible reveal the hidden money’s location.
- The final act of distributing the money fulfills Jos Angelico’s wish to return it to the poor.
Decisions
- Hide the bag with Rat instead of surrendering it to the police.
- Investigate the mystery themselves rather than trust authorities.
- Distribute the money among the poor instead of keeping it.
Action Items
- Immediate – Raphael, Gardo, Rat: Leave Behala to ensure safety and start new lives.
- Future – Father Juilliard: Continue supporting Behala’s children as much as possible, despite challenges.
Recommendations / Advice
- Value education and community, even in the face of corruption.
- Always question authority, especially where systemic injustice prevails.
- Use collective action and ingenuity to achieve justice.