The Firefly Letters by Margarita Engle

Bibliography:

Engle, Margarita. 2010. The Firefly Letters. New York: Henry Holt and Company. 978-0805090826

Plot Summary:

Fredrika Bremer, a Swedish native and world traveler, journeys to Cuba to learn more about its beauty; once there she decides to write and draw what she sees. The Swedish Consulate places Fredrika in a mansion (as a traveling guest) in Matanzas where she meets Elena, the daughter of a rich sugar mill owner and Cecilia, a slave belonging to Elena’s father. This verse novel switches between the voices of the three main characters (and occasionally Cecilia’s husband, Beni) to describe the beautiful journey made by Cecilia and Fredrika as they traveled together across Cuba’s gorgeous country side, giving Cecilia a small and temporary taste of freedom.

Critical Analysis:

This poem may lack the typical rhyming scheme many traditional poems have, but that does not mean this poem is not poetic or lyrical. Engle’s use of free verse rhythm beautifully describes Cuba’s societal culture, especially for women, as it was in the 1850’s. Engle’s use of narratives in this novel switches between the voices of three oppressed women providing the reader with the ability to feel as though they know the personal thoughts of each character speaking. This encourages the reader to grow attached to each character and develop strong emotions for each as well.

Engle’s use of imagery paints a beautiful picture of the place Cecilia used to call home. This becomes evident in the opening verse of the novel when Cecilia states: “I remember a wide river / and gray parrots with patches of red feathers / flashing across the African sky / like traveling stars / or Cuban fireflies.”

Emotions of despair, longing, and loneliness with a hint of gentleness pour out of every page as Engle writes of Elena’s forced solitude: “Do they know that I feel / like I could go mad / cooped up in this house / like a songbird / in a cage?” Signs of such sadness appear throughout the entire novel, but done so in such a gentle and melodic manner as not to overwhelm or divert the reader’s interest.

The novel's end might surprise many readers and draw out a sense of joy and sadness at the same time. If anything, this novel teaches the readers to understand their freedom or freedom to roam should never be taken for granted, while also teaching of Cuba's little known historical past. The “Historical Note” at the end of the novel explains Fredrika Bremer was a real person with real letters, diaries and sketches on a real journey to Cuba, the characters however, are part of Engle’s imagination.

This title is recommended for children ages 10 and up.

Review Excerpt(s):

• Pura Belpré Honor Book for Narrative (2011)
•  Kirkus Reviews (2010) "Another fine volume by a master of the novel in verse."
• Publishers Weekly (2010) “This slim, elegant volume opens the door to discussions of slavery, women's rights, and the economic disparity between rich and poor.

Connections:

• Pair this title with other great favorites such as:
            Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai
            T4: A Novel by Ann Clare LeZotte
            May B.: A Novel by Caroline Starr Rose
• Have the children take turns reading each narrative section aloud or pick four volunteers to play as the voices of the narratives and allow those four children to recite the novel for all.
• Create a paper diary to hand out to the children and encourage them to write a poetic journal entry describing one or more of their travel experiences.