A truly powerful and moving memoir. This window into the Cambodian sex trade is both harrowing and inspiring; I found myself being simultaneously horrified at the predicament of the girls in the brothels, and motivated to learn more and help in Somaly's cause. If you're interested in the plight of women in the modern world or in human rights in general, I highly recommend this book.

I picked this book up after seeing Somaly Mam in the PBS film based on [b:Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide|6260997|Half the Sky Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide|Nicholas D. Kristof|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320486170s/6260997.jpg|6444203]. I wanted to know how she was able to grow from former trafficking victim to a head of a foundation, and this book does answer that question.

I honestly do not know if I could keep the faith in humanity that Mam apparently has. I agree with Ali. Mam should win the Nobel Peace Prize.


Update Mam should not win the Peace Prize because apparently much of this book is lies. I'm knocking to down to one star (from five) because of that.

It is inexcusable that conditions outlined in this book still exist today. Cultural respect is one thing, but the brutality and disregard for humanity is another.

Read for class. Not adding a star rating, because it doesn't seem fair to someone sharing their life story/plea for change.

There has been some fuss because maybe she didn't tell the whole truth, maybe there were stretches and lies about her specific details. But, everything that happened in the book seems to have happened/is happening to someone in Cambodia (and other places sex-slaves/sex trafficking is happening). I'm glad that after the controversy she went back to working with these girls and women.
[That isn't in the book]

She worked at one point, educating males on safe sex and consent in Cambodia, which can be ignored since the males are the aggressors, but humans are humans, even if they commit horrid acts. The men in the story reacted with humility in most cases, sex was not talked about and they felt they were doing what was always done.

Slight disclaimer--the actually writing in this book isn't great. I feel like a co-author could have helped a bit. However, the story is amazing. It is eye-opening to read what women are going through in Cambodia and Thailand. I knew that this was an issue but when you read what is happening and how corrupt the local law officers are, it seems unfixable. To see what Somaly Mam has accomplished already gives me hope that maybe one day the problem will be under control. As soon as I finished the book I wanted to read everything I could about this extraordinary woman and the good that she is doing. It inspired me to make a donation to her non-profit.

I read this after seeing a segment about Somaly on the PBS documentary Half the Sky and attending a fundraiser for her organization. She is amazing and so is this book. truly. I gave money before reading the book and after. While this is not well written in the traditional sense, her story, her openness and honesty are overwhelming and you cannot help but fall under her spell.

One third into the book I was feeling angry, depressed, disgusted... but I had to keep reading because surely things would turn out better for her in the end. Halfway through the tide starts turning. And WOW how glad I am that I kept reading! This book is an absolute must-read because:

- Somaly gives hope when you think there couldn't possibly be any. She proves to us that every individual, no matter how small, how uneducated, how victimized, how broken - every individual can make a huge difference in this world.

- She reminds us how important it is to fight for equality, to empower women and young girls. What a humble, yet powerful woman she is, I admire her strength and her weakness alike. She is a true shero and we need more role models like her. In fact each and every one of us should strive to be a role model like her.

- She also reminds us that the best way to save the world is one person at a time, starting from ourselves.

- If you are like me and have been dreaming about traveling across South-East Asia without knowing much about the region's history this book is a great insight into the Cambodian psyche. After reading this I no longer romanticize the idea of hiking through Cambodia, Thailand and Laos on the back of a scooter and I am better for it. Instead I dream of one day visiting one of the AFESIP centres there.

I hope more and more people read this book and find out about Somaly and her work. I hope more and more people will understand that the South-East Asian slave trade is not a uniquely South-East Asian problem. In fact it is fuelled by wealthy men from first world countries. And that is something I find truly revolting.

This book was very disturbing and tells without holding back the author's story of her life as a child prostitute in Cambodia. She managed to escape from her life as a prostitute, and dedicated her life to helping girls who suffer the same fate.
This book is well worth reading, but it is brutally eye opening. It is easy to fall into a sheltered life and think that nothing horrific is going on around oyu, but the reality is that in many parts of the world (including the US), women and children suffer greatly.
Somaly Mam is a true heroine, she not only escaped the horrible life she thought would be the only thing she would know, but she has fearlessly gone back to help bring awareness to human trafficking.

4.5

Cieszę się, że jednak przed bezmyślnym oddaniem tej książki sprawdziłam oceny na gr i lb...

Wstrząsająca, mówiąca o handlu dziewczynkami, prostytucji w Kambodży (chociaż nie tylko).
Somaly Mam to niesamowita kobieta!
Jeśli książka wpadnie wam w ręce to nie zastanawiajcie się i poznajcie Jej historię.

Damn, this was a difficult book to read. It's amazing that Somaly was able to become the person that she is today given her absolutely horrific childhood. Very inspiring.