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mariahistryingtoread's review
3.0
Lakshmi is a thirteen year old girl from Nepal. She lives in a small village where she and her mother try to make ends meet despite her step-father gambling their money away. However, when a horrible monsoon washes away their crops, her step-father -unbeknownst to her - sells her into sexual slavery.
With such heavy subject matter, I was a bit worried about reading this book. I’m no stranger to graphic imagery, but it was still horrifying to imagine reading in explicit detail how a thirteen year old is repeatedly assaulted and degraded. I worried for nothing as it turned out since this book is written in a simplistic way that leaves much to the imagination.
That being said, I did not like the writing style. I think it did a huge disservice to the story the author wanted to tell. The book is written as journal entries, where Lakshmi explains her feelings and/or what is happening. It creates a sense of Lakshmi as a person as her naïveté is very clear in the simplicity of her entries. However, it also comes off as empty? - for lack of a better word.
These are supposed to be journal entries yet, there is never much written about her surroundings or the other girls. They are often brusque little blurbs about nothing in particular. As more time passes without more information the weight of these experiences diminished. Don’t get me wrong, I felt deeply for Lakshmi throughout, but everything that happened to her ranked the same across the board because of how barren the descriptions were. Another result is that it began to feel as if the author was just killing time in between the major events.
I am by no means an expert on the subject, but I have read other books and seen documentaries about girls in Lakshmi’s situation and a lot of the things in this book while true or realistic still felt stereotypical. That is to say, the author did not provide enough context to make it feel real. She was just hitting all the major bullet points of this kind of story; like there was a checklist of things she had to get to and the things in-between were just vehicles to get to those points.
Which brings me to another weakness of the books storytelling structure; Lakshmi forms relationships with the other girls in the house and that they ‘enable her to survive’. That is a vast overstatement. As previously stated there is barely any information given about her surroundings. Our view of her relationships is mostly limited to their names and what they look like. Her connections with them are threadbare and they’re hardly the inspiring figures I was expecting when reading the summary.
The ending is also abrupt. We did not get a good overall look at Lakshmi’s life. We stopped in the middle before we could see the aftermath of this trauma. This book is supposed to shed light on this situation, yet it doesn’t complete the chain of events such as the difficulty of the women after escaping these brothels. It’s not a necessity, but I think it would have helped to better round out the story.
I enjoyed this book enough to devour it almost in one sitting. But, ultimately the execution was poor and that allowed most of the good parts of the book to be buried.
With such heavy subject matter, I was a bit worried about reading this book. I’m no stranger to graphic imagery, but it was still horrifying to imagine reading in explicit detail how a thirteen year old is repeatedly assaulted and degraded. I worried for nothing as it turned out since this book is written in a simplistic way that leaves much to the imagination.
That being said, I did not like the writing style. I think it did a huge disservice to the story the author wanted to tell. The book is written as journal entries, where Lakshmi explains her feelings and/or what is happening. It creates a sense of Lakshmi as a person as her naïveté is very clear in the simplicity of her entries. However, it also comes off as empty? - for lack of a better word.
These are supposed to be journal entries yet, there is never much written about her surroundings or the other girls. They are often brusque little blurbs about nothing in particular. As more time passes without more information the weight of these experiences diminished. Don’t get me wrong, I felt deeply for Lakshmi throughout, but everything that happened to her ranked the same across the board because of how barren the descriptions were. Another result is that it began to feel as if the author was just killing time in between the major events.
I am by no means an expert on the subject, but I have read other books and seen documentaries about girls in Lakshmi’s situation and a lot of the things in this book while true or realistic still felt stereotypical. That is to say, the author did not provide enough context to make it feel real. She was just hitting all the major bullet points of this kind of story; like there was a checklist of things she had to get to and the things in-between were just vehicles to get to those points.
Which brings me to another weakness of the books storytelling structure; Lakshmi forms relationships with the other girls in the house and that they ‘enable her to survive’. That is a vast overstatement. As previously stated there is barely any information given about her surroundings. Our view of her relationships is mostly limited to their names and what they look like. Her connections with them are threadbare and they’re hardly the inspiring figures I was expecting when reading the summary.
The ending is also abrupt. We did not get a good overall look at Lakshmi’s life. We stopped in the middle before we could see the aftermath of this trauma. This book is supposed to shed light on this situation, yet it doesn’t complete the chain of events such as the difficulty of the women after escaping these brothels. It’s not a necessity, but I think it would have helped to better round out the story.
I enjoyed this book enough to devour it almost in one sitting. But, ultimately the execution was poor and that allowed most of the good parts of the book to be buried.
missyjohnson's review
3.0
I wish I knew how to review this book. I usually enjoy YA books, but................ I wanted to rate this 2.5. oh well. I understand the horror of human trafficking and the people who do it are not human. I was able to see and understand the innocence of Lakshmi and the ugliness of Mumtaz but only found the story ok.
tashaseegmiller's review
4.0
This was an intense and captivating book. It read much faster than I expected it to but I was immediately sucked in. I think this would be a book that you would enjoy if you liked A Thousand Splendid Suns as it addresses some issues that aren't really broadcast to the rest of the world, and the voice of Lakshmi is unforgetable.
jlarrew's review
challenging
dark
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
When they were getting to her first time, I was worried that it might be too much for young readers. But it's not. The heanous acts done to Lakshmi aren't spilled out in graphic details. I do think you lose something without those details, though given the audience, it's appropriate.
I think the book seeks to educate young readers about the sex trade so that maybe it can save someone. The author notes that it's a huge problem in Nepal and that was her inspiration.
It's to be assumed that Lakshmi ends up in a better place, but I wish we could follow her.
I listened to the book and it was a bit disjointed because they read the chapter titles. It would be better without those.
I was happy that they added in the small kindnesses she received. Also, that the tea boy saved her from drugs.
It breaks my heart that there's many out there in this situation right now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Sexual assault
weeohh's review
2.0
It's giving white saviorism.
And the poetry was lacking.
However! I found it to be a powerful perspective, harrowing, and a real call to action.
And the poetry was lacking.
However! I found it to be a powerful perspective, harrowing, and a real call to action.
beth_zovko's review
4.0
This was a fictional version of real acounts of girls forced into prostitution in Nepal/India. Kim and I read this in one night each. The language is sparse but descriptive-each page is more like a poem than prose. It's very sad at some parts but ultimately very hopeful.
emmalemonnz's review
5.0
Beautifully and skilfully written, this heartbreaking story is told simply and without being overly sentimental. The horrific brutality and incredible kindness speak for themselves. A must-read.
India has been on my bucket list since before I knew what a bucket list was.
Written for children, but still an engrossing read for adults, "Sold" by Patricia McCormick is haunting. It is a fictional account of a young Nepalese girl (12-14 years old throughout the story) who is sold to an Indian brothel called Happiness House. Despite "Sold" being fictional, there are literally millions of real life girls who live like Lakshmi.
It's a children's story, so Lakshmi gets a happy ending. While it's nice to know that that can happen, it's also important to remember that it's not the most common outcome for girls like Lakshmi.
Despite the horrific circumstances, the book is also full of kindness and friendships. It has beautiful poetic sections, and the super short chapters make it appealing to younger readers.
I will be recommending this to many of my y9-10 students, but also encourage adults to read it. It portrays the brutal reality of human trafficking and sex slavery without being graphic.
I still want to visit India. But I will go with my eyes wide open. It's easy to romanticise far-off countries. It's also easy to vilify a whole group of people based on the actions or beliefs of just a few. One day I will go, and see for myself this diverse country with its rich culture and complex history. In the meantime, will continue to raise awareness of human trafficking, sex slavery, and the power of mighty girls around the world.
India has been on my bucket list since before I knew what a bucket list was.
Written for children, but still an engrossing read for adults, "Sold" by Patricia McCormick is haunting. It is a fictional account of a young Nepalese girl (12-14 years old throughout the story) who is sold to an Indian brothel called Happiness House. Despite "Sold" being fictional, there are literally millions of real life girls who live like Lakshmi.
It's a children's story, so Lakshmi gets a happy ending. While it's nice to know that that can happen, it's also important to remember that it's not the most common outcome for girls like Lakshmi.
Despite the horrific circumstances, the book is also full of kindness and friendships. It has beautiful poetic sections, and the super short chapters make it appealing to younger readers.
I will be recommending this to many of my y9-10 students, but also encourage adults to read it. It portrays the brutal reality of human trafficking and sex slavery without being graphic.
I still want to visit India. But I will go with my eyes wide open. It's easy to romanticise far-off countries. It's also easy to vilify a whole group of people based on the actions or beliefs of just a few. One day I will go, and see for myself this diverse country with its rich culture and complex history. In the meantime, will continue to raise awareness of human trafficking, sex slavery, and the power of mighty girls around the world.