lip lit: the girl who could silence the wind
Sonia Ocampo had the misfortune of being born on the wrong day. Now she’s her village’s local saint, and every day people come to her with their prayers or her blessing. The constant weight of her people’s hopes and wishes is dragging her down, and she longs for something more for herself and her impoverished family. So with determination and good will, she is set on the path to what she believes is helping her family.
There are many books with a Latin American country as setting, but this is one of the few that truly grasp the contrast of its folklore with daily life. Though the country is never named, it can be deduced that it takes place in a Central American village. It portrays well the feeling of a small, superstitious town with warm and classic tradition, but strict. Meg Medina’s inspiration is fresh in every page, and her enthusiasm makes the story even brighter. It enraptures a certain part of oneself which makes it hard to read without empathy.
The writing is simple and very direct. It contains Spanish vocabulary typically used in Central America. Every character has their unique background story and acts accordingly to it. The downside of this book is that the ending feels unresolved and there are characters that should’ve been more involved, as there was room to explore, and it feels as if the author finished a little too early. Although it wasn’t an open ending, it still leaves opportunity for imagination. Even so, Medina managed to create a world that contained plots within plots yet still succeeded in keeping it simple.
This is a story about romance, hardship and endurance. It speaks of tradition and firm beliefs, and the capacity of a young girl. The magical realism of this story mixed with Sonia’s bravery and loyalty makes a splendidly entertaining narrative. This book is recommended for readers who enjoy reading quiet, intelligent stories. It’s worth saying that this is her first novel for young adults, and this is an author to keep on the watch.
The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind is published by Walker Books
By Catalina Bonati
