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The Road of Lost Innocence: The True Story of a Cambodian Heroine
Escrito por Somaly Mam
Narrado por Tanya Eby
Ações de livro
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Born in a village deep in the Cambodian forest, Somaly Mam was sold into sexual slavery by her grandfather when she was twelve years old. For the next decade she was shuttled through the brothels that make up the sprawling sex trade of Southeast Asia. Trapped in this dangerous and desperate world, she suffered the brutality and horrors of human trafficking-rape, torture, deprivation-until she managed to escape with the help of a French aid worker. Emboldened by her newfound freedom, education, and security, Somaly blossomed but remained haunted by the girls in the brothels she left behind.
Written in exquisite, spare, unflinching prose, The Road of Lost Innocence recounts the experiences of her early life and tells the story of her awakening as an activist and her harrowing and brave fight against the powerful and corrupt forces that steal the lives of these girls. She has orchestrated raids on brothels and rescued sex workers, some as young as five and six; she has built shelters, started schools, and founded an organization that has so far saved more than four thousand women and children in Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos. Her memoir will leave you awestruck by her tenacity and courage and will renew your faith in the power of an individual to bring about change.
Ações de livro
Comece a ouvirDados do livro
The Road of Lost Innocence: The True Story of a Cambodian Heroine
Escrito por Somaly Mam
Narrado por Tanya Eby
Descrição
Born in a village deep in the Cambodian forest, Somaly Mam was sold into sexual slavery by her grandfather when she was twelve years old. For the next decade she was shuttled through the brothels that make up the sprawling sex trade of Southeast Asia. Trapped in this dangerous and desperate world, she suffered the brutality and horrors of human trafficking-rape, torture, deprivation-until she managed to escape with the help of a French aid worker. Emboldened by her newfound freedom, education, and security, Somaly blossomed but remained haunted by the girls in the brothels she left behind.
Written in exquisite, spare, unflinching prose, The Road of Lost Innocence recounts the experiences of her early life and tells the story of her awakening as an activist and her harrowing and brave fight against the powerful and corrupt forces that steal the lives of these girls. She has orchestrated raids on brothels and rescued sex workers, some as young as five and six; she has built shelters, started schools, and founded an organization that has so far saved more than four thousand women and children in Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos. Her memoir will leave you awestruck by her tenacity and courage and will renew your faith in the power of an individual to bring about change.
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Avaliações
Tough story to hear, but honest. Somali’s strength is inspiring.
Rating: 5After reading the book and then researching Somaly Mam I am left unsure of what to believe. I believe this is a book about the real fight for the victims of human trafficking, prostitution, corruption and the effects of war in Cambodia. While Somala seems to be guilty of changing the facts to gain attention to the problems of women in her country, she has certainly been working tirelessly to try to improve the conditions there. It seems that when checked, many of our heros do the same thing. But it is a read that provokes discussion and attention to the life there and should bring understanding to those who live in the trauma of a war torn, corrupt country...
Rating: 3
Actually, Somaly Mam lied about everything, and is a charlatan who cheated the world of a lot of money, and a whole lot of faith. Her anti-prostitution advocacy also harmed (arrested, imprisoned, killed) many Cambodian sex workers who she claimed to be helping.
Rating: 1This book is honest, brutally, painfully honest and that is really why it can make a difference. With every page I felt Somaly Mam's struggle with the prostitution that was a big part of her past and how the very same past has propelled her forward. I feel lucky, extremely lucky, because I know had I lived the life she has I would have been completely broken and not able to stand up for righteousness like she has. She is a true hero.
In many ways the story of the little Cambodian girls sold by their very own parents, owned like commodities by different people in different points in their lives, I find those stories similar to the untold stories of little Nepalese girls in the forgotten villages of my country. It has made it easier for me to empathize with the horrors described in the book. This book shows Mam's strength as a human being and her story is one that deserves to be told.
In many ways it is not the writing or even the content of the book that will draw the reader in; it is the brutally honest way that the story is written that will leave a lasting impression. One can feel the pain Mam was feeling, see the horrors that she was encountering from her past while writing this book. The fact that she completed this book no matter what it cost her to go down the memory lane is what makes this even more commendable.
It is a must read for every person of every gender who want to know how deep the roots of sex slavery, prostitution and human trafficking go into our society.
Rating: 5In many ways the story of the little Cambodian girls sold by their very own parents, owned like commodities by different people in different points in their lives, I find those stories similar to the untold stories of little Nepalese girls in the forgotten villages of my country. It has made it easier for me to empathize with the horrors described in the book. This book shows Mam's strength as a human being and her story is one that deserves to be told.
In many ways it is not the writing or even the content of the book that will draw the reader in; it is the brutally honest way that the story is written that will leave a lasting impression. One can feel the pain Mam was feeling, see the horrors that she was encountering from her past while writing this book. The fact that she completed this book no matter what it cost her to go down the memory lane is what makes this even more commendable.
It is a must read for every person of every gender who want to know how deep the roots of sex slavery, prostitution and human trafficking go into our society.
Somaly Mam IS an inspiration to women around the world. Her story of being sold into sexual slavery and then managing to get out of it AND to make it her life's work to help other girls (some as young as eight years old) to escape the slavery in Cambodia is something that every single person should read about.
Slavery is still happening in the world today and it is hidden because it is glamorized as an exotic thing for tourists to do. It needs to stop and these women and girls who have been terrorized by it need to be freed.
Rating: 5Slavery is still happening in the world today and it is hidden because it is glamorized as an exotic thing for tourists to do. It needs to stop and these women and girls who have been terrorized by it need to be freed.
This is a heart-rending account of Somaly Mam, who was presumably orphaned (or at least lived as one) in the forests of Cambodia. Eventually, she was taken from the forest by someone who purported to be her grandfather, although Somaly had no idea if he truly was related to her or not. The man beat her and eventually sold her virginity to someone in their village. He then married her off, and when her husband either died or abandoned her (it wasn't clear), sold her into a brothel.In spite of all that had happened to Somaly in her young life, she didn't give up on living. Her will was broken, but she eventually became friends with foreign aid workers (first as a prostitute, and then later marrying one of the men she met). She learned French, educated herself, and became an advocate for the children who are still being prostituted against their will in Cambodia today. She has opened several centers in different countries to help these victims, and she tirelessly crusades on their behalf to this day.The latter part of the book detailed her operations in Cambodia (and Laos, Vietnam, etc). It was definitely inspiring to read how Somaly is working for the voiceless, especially when the government and police seem to be set against her. She helps bring rapists to trial, but then they're acquitted; her life is threatened repeatedly; she's villainized in the press; and her own daughter (well, niece, but whom she's raised as a daughter) is kidnapped and raped, presumably because of Somaly's work. Most other people would be discouraged beyond belief, but Somaly just keeps pushing forward.The book is straightforward and easy to read, although I found myself wishing that there was more detail about the court system in Cambodia and perhaps the history of why child rape and prostitution is so prevalent in their society. Although touched upon a few times, there's little explanation, and those unfamiliar with Cambodian history may have difficulty understanding the context.
Rating: 4This was a moving, sad but honest and brave telling of this woman's horrific experiences being sold into the sex slave trade in Cambodia. It is also a telling of her story of trying to overcome her past by helping others, and her brave journey to becoming the woman she is today, which is my opinion is a pretty special woman indeed. Thank you Somaly Mam for telling your story and for shedding light on this very true and sad topic, of which until reading your book I knew nothing about.
Rating: 5This book is incredible. It will break your heart, bring you to tears, and by the end you'll know a little more about the world we live in. Somaly Mam chronicles her upbringing in Cambodia. Being sold to a man, who in turn sells her to a brothel, Somaly discusses her life as a child prostitute who was horrifically beaten and raped. She details the cruelty she faced with brutal honesty. She also begins to discuss her awakening to a wider world. An aid worker befriends her, and their marriage brings them to France. Somaly writes about her struggle in a new land, and reading about her growth in confidence and as an individual is inspired. When Somaly returns to Cambodia she begins to outreach to girls who are living in brothels. Beginning AFESIP and reading about its work, is again, both fascinating and inspiring. Tracing her path from an orphan sold into slavery to a woman feted by the Queen of Spain for her work helping trafficked children made me want to donate all my savings to AFESIP. Reading about her organisation's challenges in dealing with local crime, corruption, and the trauma of children highlights some of the challenges she faces today. The later half of the book occasionally seems like a fund-raising drive, but the story is so compelling I didn't mind. If you are interested in Cambodia, human trafficking, or want an inspiring and honest memoir this book is a must.
Rating: 5Wasn't expecting to enjoy this book, another hard luck story, but was mesmorised by the trauma and inhumane treatment of girls in Cambodia. Explored online the website references to organisations supported by the author
Rating: 4