The Firefly Letters

Bibliography:

Engle, Margarita. 2010. THE FIREFLY LETTERS. New York: Henry Holt and Company, LLC. ISBN 978085090826

Plot Summary:

The Firefly Letters is the story of freedom, compassion for humankind, and longing for home.  Ms. Engle writes a story about Fredrika, a Swedish lady who visits Cuba to see what life is like in a country that is beautiful and full of life.  In Cuba, there are two girls who live completely different lives: Elena is the daughter of a wealthy Cuban and Cecilia, the slave girl who will serve as translator for the Swedish guest. When Fredrika arrives in Cuba, she expects to stay in a small hut but is placed at a compound; something that Fredrika did not want.  However, as she is a guest and doesn't want to cause trouble for herself nor her country, Fredrika is the gracious visitor.  Elena was warned by her father to, "ignore any outlandish ideas..."; Elena however wishes that she could move as free as Fredrika and even Cecilia.  Cecilia, at the age of fifteen years old is married and pregnant; her husband is young and cares for the horses.  Cecilia has been taught how to speak English and she serves as the translator for Fredrika.  Throughout the story, Ms. Engle gives us thoughts, feelings, and actions of Elena, Cecilia and Fredrika.  Occasionally, we hear Beni's (Cecilia's husband) thoughts about what his wife is doing by spending so much time with Fredrika. The reader learns how Elena can do nothing but sit and sew.  While Cecilia goes along with Fredrika, as Fredrika tours the countryside speaking to the free slaves and asking what their life is like. As Fredrika's visit wears on and she learns what life is like for free slaves and working slaves, like Cecilia; Fredrika is determined to share the information with her country people.

Critical Analysis:

The Firefly Letters is a story that gives a different perspective of slavery from someone (Fredrika) who found lavish living to be too constricting for women.  Ms. Engle does a fine job writing about the life of Fredrika Bremer, a female novelist from Sweden. One of the first; she was also an advocate for equal rights for women and men.  Ms. Engle through the reading of Fredrika's journals, letters, and sketches which details the three month visit to Cuba, writes a gentle tale about two girls from opposite worlds learning what it means to be free. While the majority of The Firefly Letters is taken from Fredrika's writings; because the young girl who lived in the majestic house wasn't named, Ms. Engle makes up a name for her.  By writing from three different perspectives, Ms. Engle does her best to show the feelings and actions that Elena, Cecilia, and Fredrika experience as their paths intersect. There are feelings of loneliness, longing to be free, and wishing that all humans were treated equally.

Ms. Engle's use of verse as opposed to prose allows the reader to imagine the conversations that the characters are having: expressing one's own thoughts about their lives and how it could be better.  As you read each character's chapter, you do not get the feeling that it is the same person speaking.  Instead, you can imagine from the words written on the page, what Elena, Cecilia, and Fredrika are feeling. Ms. Engle tells the story with gentleness but there is a strong spirit felt in the way the words are written.

Review Excerpt(s):

KIRKUS (starred review): "Engle's poetry is a gossamer thread of subtle beauty weaving together three memorable characters who together find hope and courage."

BOOKLIST: "Through this moving combination of historical viewpoints, Engle creates dramatic tension among the characters, especially in the story of Elena, who makes a surprising sacrifice."

Connections:

This book can be a starting point in introducing free-verse in novels and nonfiction.

Teachers can use this as a read-aloud and discussion starter to discuss women's rights as well as talk about the life Fredrika Bremer. Spotlighting suffragists outside of the United States.

*This review are my own words and are part of a graduate studies class at Sam Houston State University.