Reviews

Le Silence de L Innocence by S. Mam

badpriestess's review against another edition

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2.0

There's no denying that this is a powerful, inspiring story. Somaly Mam is an incredible person. It seems harsh to criticize the life story of a woman with no connection to her biological family who was sold into prostitution as a child, still haunted by torment and shame. As the story of someone's tragic childhood and adolescence, there should be no judgment. However, the book is clearly written by someone who is not a native English speaker, and I tend to connect more deeply with more fluent and capable writing.

thereadershut's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

justicepirate's review against another edition

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4.0

Somaly Mam gives us a view into her own life, something that is extremely rare for a bhuddist and Cambodian to do at all. She explains how women are regularly treated in her country. We see how mistreated young girls are as they are brutally beaten, drugged, and raped for profit. When Somaly was given a chance to get out of her forced lifestyle, she received more rights for simply being married to a white man, and used it to the advantage that saved and continues to save thousands of little girls. We need to take the information she has given us about things like having sex with young virgins can cure a man from AIDS, or that sewing up young girls over and over again because virgins sell for more, and how tiny children die every day through gang rapes, being starved and beaten, and having TB and other diseases that strip them of any life. These girls are forced into this and should instead be treated with kindness. No one should be treated like a commodity. This was an excellent book, and I am so glad that she shared her story with the world. I have read over a dozen human trafficking books, and this is one of the best ones.

ja3m3's review against another edition

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5.0

Somaly Mam was twelve-years-old when her grandfather sold her to a brothel to pay his gambling debt. The Road of Lost Innocence is Somaly's story of her descent into the torturous hell of sex slavery and human trafficking and her courage to lead herself and others back into the light. This is a difficult book to read. It is ugly and violent, but sometimes the truth is ugly. There were parts of this book that literally made me sick to my stomach. But there are also parts of this book that are hopeful and a testimony to the resilient spirit of one woman who is changing our world. Read the book

mellabella's review against another edition

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5.0

I just finished this book a few days ago and I have no idea where to start. It fueled a range of emotions: anger, sadness, inspiration... I think there are quite a few Somaly's out there that don't know how to change things. Fearful of whatever repercussions. She told her story and it not only put a face (one of too many) to sexual trafficking but allowed the reader to see exactly how these girls are sold and abducted. I actually read an article about her months ago (something about her her and her daughter were being threatened)before reading this. I thought to myself at that time that she must be quite a force. To continue with threats to her life. Reading this just reinforced that.

skuruvilla723's review against another edition

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3.0

I started reading this book not knowing anything about the author, but after a quick internet search I found out that she has fabricated her story of abuse. However, I think that the issue of human trafficking and especially child sex trafficking is an important one and appreciate that this book does shed light onto the issue.

hischmidtj's review against another edition

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5.0

This is a horrifying book of the terrible conditions in Cambodia for young children. It's sickening to read about the things they do to girls as young as 6, raping and beating them when they hardly know a thing about the world. Somaly Mam grew up in terrible conditions and has used her scars and pain for good. She's become a beacon for girls forced into prostitution and her organization deserves more of our attention. This is an important story for absolutely everyone to read.

mlautchi's review against another edition

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4.0

Why aren't we doing more to combat human trafficking?!?!?! Horrific..

trasiwatson's review against another edition

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5.0

(UPDATE: After researching, there's been some controversy surrounding her and her stories).

A 'must read.'

aubreystapp's review against another edition

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5.0

I thought this book was amazing and heartfelt, and made me cry repeatedly. I would say even if Somaly Mam's personal story is made up, (I feel like there's no way to really know for sure), this doesn't change the suffering and exploitation that many girls are enduring through the sex trade, so regardless, it's still an incredible book to read, and very eye-opening.