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A review by duskk_novels
Songbirds by Christy Lefteri
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
They walk through our world unseen, unheard, unnoticed. Yet, they are woven into the fabric of our lives and exist as the beating heart of our existence. This is the riveting, yet soul-splitting story of Nisha Jayakody, a Sri Lankan domestic worker in Cyprus. Through the perspectives of Petra and Yiannis, we unearth the layers of Nisha's mysterious character and life, including the loss of her sister, husband and making the decision to leave her only living child in Sri Lanka. The harrowing events that shaped her existence exposes the traumatic realities and the severe abuse endured by foreign domestic workers by employers. This is the tale of a mother's unyielding and indestructible love for her child and the worlds she is forced to live in-between. This is the story of one woman, and at the same time, lived by millions of foreign women across oceans and mountains.
A simply-written novel intertwined with poetic, yet powerful prose that unveils the brutal fates imposed upon foreign maids as the price to pay for their family's survival. Before reading this, I was ignorant to the abuse they experience and the hidden torment they sustain, all to ensure their families back home are cared for. Although fictional, the cruelty depicted reflects real-world horrors and the chain of events that ensued was paralysing. My favourite element was the contrasting imagery and the magnetic personalities of the characters that enhanced the narrative beautifully and intensified the lessons it conveyed. It was these literary devices, especially imagery and symbolism, that left me with enduring emotions. The vivid imagery and metaphoric use of animals and colour symbolism were my favourite aspects, alongside Nisha and Yiannis being two of the kindest souls I have met in a fictional world.
The only reason this did not get 5 stars is because the ending was rushed. Whilst I appreciate mystery and ambiguity, the intense build-up of the story warranted more closure and felt like a significant part of the story was missing, undermining the theme of educating readers about the mistreatment of foreign workers. However, the unforgettable feelings I had outweighed this, and songbirds stands as one of the most soul-awakening novels I have read in my life.
A simply-written novel intertwined with poetic, yet powerful prose that unveils the brutal fates imposed upon foreign maids as the price to pay for their family's survival. Before reading this, I was ignorant to the abuse they experience and the hidden torment they sustain, all to ensure their families back home are cared for. Although fictional, the cruelty depicted reflects real-world horrors and the chain of events that ensued was paralysing. My favourite element was the contrasting imagery and the magnetic personalities of the characters that enhanced the narrative beautifully and intensified the lessons it conveyed. It was these literary devices, especially imagery and symbolism, that left me with enduring emotions. The vivid imagery and metaphoric use of animals and colour symbolism were my favourite aspects, alongside Nisha and Yiannis being two of the kindest souls I have met in a fictional world.
The only reason this did not get 5 stars is because the ending was rushed. Whilst I appreciate mystery and ambiguity, the intense build-up of the story warranted more closure and felt like a significant part of the story was missing, undermining the theme of educating readers about the mistreatment of foreign workers. However, the unforgettable feelings I had outweighed this, and songbirds stands as one of the most soul-awakening novels I have read in my life.