Trash by Andy Mulligan: Home

If required, the movie of Andy Mulligan's book Trash is available from ClickView. However, it is rated 'M' so teachers may show it to a class but it is not available for independent viewing by students under the age of 15.

3 "age appropriate" clips from the movie are available from A-Z Classic Literature: Trash.

"Andy Mulligan has written a powerful story about unthinkable poverty—and the kind of hope and determination that can transcend it. With twists and turns, unrelenting action, and deep, raw emotion, Trash is a heart-pounding, breath-holding novel." (Source: www.goodreads.com)

Andy Mulligan was brought up in South London. He worked as a theatre director for ten years before travels in Asia prompted him to retrain as a teacher. He has taught English and drama in India, Brazil, Vietnam, the Philippines and the UK. He now lives in England, and is writing full time. 

Question: What was the inspiration behind Trash?
Andy's answer: It was the setting – a vast dumpsite in Manila, which is where I live and work – a gorgeous country, full of paradise islands and the most hospitable people in the world. But…like so many countries, wracked by certain problems. A friend told me a true story: that the dumpsite children spend most of their time sorting through parcels of human excrement. We all know about child labour, but that detail – that little vision of hell – wouldn’t leave me. I wanted to write about some of those children, and allow them to fight back.