Reviews

The Road of Lost Innocence: The True Story of a Cambodian Heroine by Somaly Mam

melodys_library's review

1.0

As I was reading this book, I was so moved, and thought to myself, “If only we could all be a little more like Somaly Mam.” Then, I learned from a simple Google search that she was accused of fabricating her story, the stories of others, and shut down her foundation soon after the accusations occurred in 2014. I learned this just as I was beginning the second to last chapter of the book, titled “Victims,” where Somaly tells 1-page stories of select trafficking victims, and gives plugs for money. My brain ran a constant loop as I finished the last 35 pages: “Lies! Lies! Lies!”

I’m a little torn on how to review this book now. I was so distraught by her stories of pain and suffering, and then rejoiced over her eventual activism. I was ready to give the book 5 stars - and her charity some money - until that Google search. Now I feel like a victim myself - deceived, hurt and humiliated.

Regardless, this quote resonated with me:

“I don’t feel like I can change the world. I don’t even try. I only want to change this small life that I see standing in front of me, which is suffering. I want to change this small real thing that is the destiny of one little girl. And then another, and another, because if I didn’t, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself or sleep at night.” - Somaly Mam

dymanu's review against another edition

5.0

A história de Somália (sendo que este não é o seu nome original, ela não sabe como se chama, não há registo de nascimento). A sua história desde a infância até aos dias de hoje, como foi viver com um “avô” que lhe batia, vendida a um bordel e trabalhar nas condições mais precárias, ser espancado, chamada de feia e horrível...
É sempre difícil ler algo que sabemos ser verídico, saber que todos estes horrores se passar mesmo com ela tornou esta leitura mais pesada e difícil. Mas mesmo assim adorei a maneira como ela ligou todas as partes da sua história e como conseguimos perceber a sua evolução como pessoa.

shelfexplanatory's review

Immediately after finishing the audiobook, I discovered that many of the "facts" in this memoir are false, so I am not going to rate this one.

hiemsko's review

dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

travelingkayte's review

5.0

What an amazing story of inspiration and love. Somaly Mam is one of my heros!

badpriestess's review

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

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

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

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

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.