Over the July 4th holiday, I read a book that is one of the most gritty, moving books I have ever had the pleasure of reading.
Before I start, let me preface by saying that I do not recommend this book to anyone under 16. If you're under that age, I suggest you discuss with a parent before you read this book. This book is written in a very obscure manner, but the subjects are still very adult, and can be classified as PG-13.
This book is written in a diary style from the point of Lakshmi, a young girl from Nepal. She grows up in a poor village with her mother, step-father, and infant brother. She works every day to help care for her family, but her step-father blows what little money they have on booze and gambling. She and her mother go without meals to feed the father and baby, and they are thin and worn down.
After Lakshmi turns 13 years old, her step-father comes to her one morning, telling her to come with him - he was going to let her go to the big city with a nice lady. Excited at the idea of changing her fate, she goes with some hesitancy at first, then decides she must do this for her mother.
Little did Lakshmi know that she was being sold into sexual slavery, like many other girls her age in Nepal.
What follows is her heart-wrenching tale of no freedom, no choices, and being violated by multiple strangers every day. She earns measly pay, which she must give immediately to the woman who runs the home she lives in. As she earns, she learns she is also falling into more debt every day. She has no hope of ever leaving...
-----
Okay. Wow. This book killed me emotionally. I sat in my room sobbing as I read. No one, male or female, should ever have to be subjected to the torment of being trapped in slavery. Especially slavery that not only strips you of your freedom, but also of your pride, dignity, and privacy.
Sickening.
But so wonderful to read this book. I wish more people were aware that this stuff happens EVERY DAY, in this day and time that we live in today.
It's a lesson in book form. Don't take for granted all the freedoms you have.
This book is written in such a way that nothing is ever graphically spelled out. It's not crude, perverted, or anything like that. She shows you the horror without showing you the deeds.
Use your better judgement. I'd love comments from anyone who has read this book and interprets it differently than I did.
~ Victoria
Before I start, let me preface by saying that I do not recommend this book to anyone under 16. If you're under that age, I suggest you discuss with a parent before you read this book. This book is written in a very obscure manner, but the subjects are still very adult, and can be classified as PG-13.
This book is written in a diary style from the point of Lakshmi, a young girl from Nepal. She grows up in a poor village with her mother, step-father, and infant brother. She works every day to help care for her family, but her step-father blows what little money they have on booze and gambling. She and her mother go without meals to feed the father and baby, and they are thin and worn down.
After Lakshmi turns 13 years old, her step-father comes to her one morning, telling her to come with him - he was going to let her go to the big city with a nice lady. Excited at the idea of changing her fate, she goes with some hesitancy at first, then decides she must do this for her mother.
Little did Lakshmi know that she was being sold into sexual slavery, like many other girls her age in Nepal.
What follows is her heart-wrenching tale of no freedom, no choices, and being violated by multiple strangers every day. She earns measly pay, which she must give immediately to the woman who runs the home she lives in. As she earns, she learns she is also falling into more debt every day. She has no hope of ever leaving...
-----
Okay. Wow. This book killed me emotionally. I sat in my room sobbing as I read. No one, male or female, should ever have to be subjected to the torment of being trapped in slavery. Especially slavery that not only strips you of your freedom, but also of your pride, dignity, and privacy.
Sickening.
But so wonderful to read this book. I wish more people were aware that this stuff happens EVERY DAY, in this day and time that we live in today.
It's a lesson in book form. Don't take for granted all the freedoms you have.
This book is written in such a way that nothing is ever graphically spelled out. It's not crude, perverted, or anything like that. She shows you the horror without showing you the deeds.
Use your better judgement. I'd love comments from anyone who has read this book and interprets it differently than I did.
~ Victoria