"Greetings from the universe" - A lovely beginning

Erin Entrada Kelly's novel "Hello, Universe" was awarded the John Newbery Medal for Best Children's Book of 2017 in the United States. In Vietnam, the book was published by the Culture and Arts Publishing House in collaboration with Hai Dang Company, translated by Tinh Vy.

The story revolves around a group of middle school students, each with their own personality and background, but fate has connected them to begin a strange friendship.

Virgil is an introverted and shy boy who doesn't feel understood or appreciated by his friends and family. He secretly likes Valencia and seeks advice from Kaori, a cute and kind young psychic, on how to approach her. On his way to his second date with Kaori, Virgil is bullied by Chet, a big classmate, causing him to fall into a dry well in the forest. Coincidentally, Valencia also comes to Kaori's house, and the two girls team up to find Virgil, rescuing him. A new friendship begins with Virgil's introductory "hello" message to his crush.

The plot is incredibly simple, and the way the children connect with each other is very gentle. The highlight of this work is the author's attention to each individual, delving into the circumstances and psychology of each character, bringing out their personality and thoughts. The humanistic aspect is expressed through the emphasis on the diversity and uniqueness of each person's character, while also showing the author's empathy and respect for different personalities. This is because the characters in the story are contrasting and lonely.

While Virgil is small and shy, Chet is the complete opposite: big, often bullying his friends, and nicknamed "The Bull." If Kaori is friendly and enthusiastic, Valencia is aloof and indifferent. However, all four children share a common trait: loneliness and a desire to prove themselves. Virgil has no close friends and can only confide in his pet guinea pig. After first meeting and liking Valencia, he always wanted to get to know this pretty girl but lacked the courage. Valencia, being deaf, is somewhat insecure and distant from her friends. She struggles with reality and wants to find a young psychic to unravel the mysteries of her dreams. Kaori, despite her ability to tell fortunes, is lonely in her own family because her parents always favor her younger sister. She wants to prove herself through her fortune-telling abilities. Chet, challenged by his friends and wanting to show off, went into the forest to catch snakes to scare them…

Thus, each character, with their own reasons and desires, embarks on a journey to fulfill their wishes. This leads to a series of interesting encounters, ultimately leading everyone to find their own suitable answer. Chet, though unsuccessful in catching the snake, undoubtedly learned a valuable lesson from the incident in the forest. Kaori fulfills her role in connecting everyone, not only saving Virgil from danger but also helping him express his feelings. Virgil is the one who changes the most after the incident. He bravely resists what he dislikes, speaks his mind to his loved ones, and, notably, sends a message to Valencia…

A simple greeting might seem normal to others, but for an introverted boy and a deaf girl, it was a "greeting from the universe," a sweet start to a new relationship.

The author skillfully weaves into the work many elements of Filipino folklore, fairy tales, and simple dreams to highlight the thoughts and personalities of the characters. However, due to the lack of dramatic tension and slow pace, the story may not be as captivating as some readers might expect.

CAT ANGEL

Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/-loi-chao-tu-vu-tru-su-khoi-dau-de-thuong-a187515.html