Harrowing non-fiction about how a child prostitute not only overcomes but goes on to save others.JH

This 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. ( )

Why read this book?

The author uses an honest, direct approach to her story. She recalls horrifying details of being a child prostitute, dark-skinned and half Khmer, who was abused and mistreated for most of her young life. Somaly's recollections of this brutal world are so disturbing that she admits being sickened by her own retelling.

Somaly gives great insight into Cambodian cultue and the social, historical and cultural aspects that have made it acceptable to sell young girls into prostitution. When Somaly finally escapes her past, she establishes a program designed to rescue girls from prostitution. There are a few successful rescues but she quickly faces government corruption, funding problems, and new sadistic means to maintain the demand for young prostitutes.

This book ends at 200+ pages but the struggle continues for Somaly Mam and her organization. Modern slavery still exists and there are far too many people who profit from this horrific trade.

A horrific book that opened my eyes to human trafficking. Somaly Mann is a soft spoken, courageous woman who has dedicated her life to helping save Cambodian women from prostitution. Even though the book is to raise awareness and not to direct attention to herself, Somaly's pain is evident. It's extremely sad and difficult to read. And the effect that her childhood experience has had on her life is heartbreaking. ( )

Some books are dangerous; reading them opens your eyes and makes you see the world around you in a different way. After reading them this new understanding of reality lingers and is not easily dismissed. Stories like these drive you to action, serving as a call to take up arms. Somaly Mam’s memoir, The Road of Lost Innocence, is one such book.

Born in Cambodia during years of political turmoil, Somaly never knew her parents – she still doesn’t know what became of them. Left by her grandmother in a tribal village, her early years were spent outdoors, roaming amongst the huts looking for food. These years were happy compared to those that would follow after leaving northern Cambodia with a man who claimed to know of her parents at the age of six.

This man, her “grandfather” would proceed to beat and molest her, sell her virginity to pay his debts at the age of 11, marry her to an abusive husband at the age of fourteen and finally sell her to a brothel at 16. As you can imagine Somaly’s story is not an easy, feel good read. The list of travesties, betrayals and corruption she has known is far too lengthy to detail here.

Catching glimpses of a better life, Somaly is eventually able to escape from the bondage of sexual slavery. Using the only currency at her disposal she begins to make alliances with foreign men – those with wealth and power – and uses them to begin her slow ascent out of prostitution. After achieving her freedom the girls she left behind haunt her. Knowing the devastation trafficking in girl-flesh wreaks she cannot stand motionless while atrocities are committed; hopefully you won’t be able to either when this story comes to a close.

Presented in spare, matter of fact prose the writing itself mimics the Cambodian attitude towards life; silent, understated. Coming from a people who disguise their emotions to the utmost – simply writing this memoir is a break with traditional Cambodian culture. Somaly however, has long since ceased to be a traditional Cambodian.

The words seek to describe without betraying the depths of emotional pain behind them, but it still seeps through. Between each and every line, in the silences and pauses the pain is there alongside the fear and anger. The Road of Lost Innocence is the anguished soul cry of a woman who has never truly been loved, the heart breaking sobs of a shattered little girl.

Somaly brutally exposes the truth of modern sexual trafficking in south-east Asia through her own story and that of those she has rescued from slavery. She outlines the beginnings of her non-profit organizations that rescue girls and women from brothels, sketching out plans for their reintegration into society. Free of her physical bonds and able to offer hope to those in chains, she remains a broken woman. The aching sadness created throughout her life’s circumstances is still present; only slightly mitigated by her relentless drive to rescue the weak and defend the defenseless.

She tells her story not to evoke sympathy for herself, though her pain is apparent. She writes, offering herself up to the public eye to draw attention to the plight of the girls and women who are still captive; taken against their will and viciously used. Somaly truly wants nothing for herself other than the opportunity to continue working with the victims of sexual trafficking and to draw awareness to their plight.

Truly, every responsible citizen of the world should engage Somaly’s work. The difficult stories need to be told, more than that - they must be acted upon. Only with eyes opened to the atrocities surrounding us can we step out in faith, reaching into the darkness to rescue those bound there.

Reviewed at http://quiverfullfamily.com ( )