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Out of the Shadows: A Memoir
An unforgettable story of an ordinary woman in astonishing circumstances who defies the odds.
Timea Nagy was twenty years old when she answered a newspaper ad in Budapest, Hungary, calling for young women to work as babysitters and housekeepers in Canada. Hired by what seemed like a legitimate recruitment agency, Timea left her home believing she would earn good money to send back to her family. What she didn't know was that she'd been lured by a ring of international human traffickers--and her life would never again be the same.
Upon her arrival in Toronto, she was forced into sex labour in some of the city's seediest nightclubs, starved and controlled by her agents, and brainwashed to believe she was to blame for her situation. The only way she'd be free was when her debt was paid--but, no matter how hard she worked, that debt seemed only to go up, not down.
Out of the Shadows is a gripping, heartbreaking and eye-opening journey deep into the underworld of human trafficking and the sex trade, told in riveting detail by one brave survivor. At once tragic and powerfully redemptive, Timea Nagy's story will stay with you long after you've read the last page.
Timea Nagy was twenty years old when she answered a newspaper ad in Budapest, Hungary, calling for young women to work as babysitters and housekeepers in Canada. Hired by what seemed like a legitimate recruitment agency, Timea left her home believing she would earn good money to send back to her family. What she didn't know was that she'd been lured by a ring of international human traffickers--and her life would never again be the same.
Upon her arrival in Toronto, she was forced into sex labour in some of the city's seediest nightclubs, starved and controlled by her agents, and brainwashed to believe she was to blame for her situation. The only way she'd be free was when her debt was paid--but, no matter how hard she worked, that debt seemed only to go up, not down.
Out of the Shadows is a gripping, heartbreaking and eye-opening journey deep into the underworld of human trafficking and the sex trade, told in riveting detail by one brave survivor. At once tragic and powerfully redemptive, Timea Nagy's story will stay with you long after you've read the last page.
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First published May 28, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 303 reviews
June 14, 2019
The courage, strength and bravely this woman has is mind blowing. I’m sure not many people are strong enough to overcome such trauma over and over again in order to share it with the world in hopes of changing and saving the lives of others. This story will stay with me for a long time - best book I’ve ever read.
November 15, 2019
I listened to this book on audible. I bought it after hearing an interview of the author on talk radio. I immediately wanted to read it because I've always wanted to know what would cause a person to allow herself to be sex trafficed. Suffice it to say, I found out and then some. Plus, I live in Toronto where the story is set. What happened to Timea Nagy is horrifying. Just when you think the story couldn't get any more shocking, it does. Time and time again. If this doesn't get turned into a movie at some point, I'll be surprised. The book is very suspenseful. A real page turner. A relatively easy read. More than enough material to stimulate the mind. I'd call it a classic in my own library.
October 18, 2019
This book was difficult to discuss in a structured format as it drew out so many emotions; one person in our book club described it as a slow descent into hell. The style and details written about the main character did not make her an overly likeable character; however, as the story unfolds, you cannot help but feel physically ill about the situation in which she ended up in.
We felt the author did an excellent job portraying how easy it can be to manipulate and exploit people, particularly those from out of country who do not speak local language or are unaware of local laws, policing, and culture; traffickers play on their victims vulnerabilities, such as being deported back to their home country where they were in danger/owe debt, exploit their fears of corrupt police/government, etc. --> all these things allow traffickers to create a false sense of safety and opportunity, while creating dependency and impose control. As a result, victims become trapped out of fear of leaving, lack of money, shame, or physical threat against themselves and their families.
As we began discussing characters, it was obvious who the main traffickers were; however, there isn’t always a clear “good guy” and “bad guy”; eg. Both Julius and Sergei were seen in a positive light – offering assistance, didn’t take advantage of her sexually, assisted in seeking out health care, put out Grandma’s cookies, etc. – however, were they innocent? They were obviously aware that girls were being trafficked or pimped at their workplace, yet did nothing to alert authorities, or help free others. Sergei was later discovered to be running an arms operation out of his facility. To Timea, they were the light in her darkness, however, they were still players in a much larger human trafficking ring. And we feel, there are likely many, many others like them: silent players.
All of us were shocked to learn that Human Trafficking was not formally written into Canadian laws until 2010, later amended in 2012 to prosecute Canadians for trafficking in persons while outside Canada. Even still, human trafficking is a massive business in Canada today, traffickers making ~$300,000/year/person. There are ways in which we’ve tried to combat out-of-country human trafficking, yet internal trafficking, particularly in our First Nations and Indigenous population, is still far more common than we are aware of.
We all appreciated the inclusion of the male victims of human trafficking as well; to shed light that human trafficking isn’t only directed towards women for commercial sex, but also can include men and children for forced labour as well. Upon completion of this novel, I think all of us have a stronger awareness of human trafficking, both globally but also within our own country, as well as what some common signs of human trafficking to watch for. While the novel wasn’t perfect, and perhaps a different co-author would have benefited the telling of the story, we cannot take away from the message that was presented.
3/5 for writing, 4.5/5 for story.
We felt the author did an excellent job portraying how easy it can be to manipulate and exploit people, particularly those from out of country who do not speak local language or are unaware of local laws, policing, and culture; traffickers play on their victims vulnerabilities, such as being deported back to their home country where they were in danger/owe debt, exploit their fears of corrupt police/government, etc. --> all these things allow traffickers to create a false sense of safety and opportunity, while creating dependency and impose control. As a result, victims become trapped out of fear of leaving, lack of money, shame, or physical threat against themselves and their families.
As we began discussing characters, it was obvious who the main traffickers were; however, there isn’t always a clear “good guy” and “bad guy”; eg. Both Julius and Sergei were seen in a positive light – offering assistance, didn’t take advantage of her sexually, assisted in seeking out health care, put out Grandma’s cookies, etc. – however, were they innocent? They were obviously aware that girls were being trafficked or pimped at their workplace, yet did nothing to alert authorities, or help free others. Sergei was later discovered to be running an arms operation out of his facility. To Timea, they were the light in her darkness, however, they were still players in a much larger human trafficking ring. And we feel, there are likely many, many others like them: silent players.
All of us were shocked to learn that Human Trafficking was not formally written into Canadian laws until 2010, later amended in 2012 to prosecute Canadians for trafficking in persons while outside Canada. Even still, human trafficking is a massive business in Canada today, traffickers making ~$300,000/year/person. There are ways in which we’ve tried to combat out-of-country human trafficking, yet internal trafficking, particularly in our First Nations and Indigenous population, is still far more common than we are aware of.
We all appreciated the inclusion of the male victims of human trafficking as well; to shed light that human trafficking isn’t only directed towards women for commercial sex, but also can include men and children for forced labour as well. Upon completion of this novel, I think all of us have a stronger awareness of human trafficking, both globally but also within our own country, as well as what some common signs of human trafficking to watch for. While the novel wasn’t perfect, and perhaps a different co-author would have benefited the telling of the story, we cannot take away from the message that was presented.
3/5 for writing, 4.5/5 for story.
September 8, 2022
This book. Wow.
Eye opening, terrifying and beautiful.
Eye opening, terrifying and beautiful.
February 22, 2024
When I think of sex trafficking, I automatically think of the movie Taken - some big elite ring, some huge crime organization and although this is true and out there, it's insane to dive deep into Timea's story. It was a facade run by manipulation, fear, abuse, and lies. This heartbreaking and eye-opening story really shocked me to my core and hurt my soul. It's devastating, confronting, and traumatic to think that there are thousands of men, women, and children going through this right now.
It's truly inspiring to see Timea turn from a victim to a survivor and have such a drive to make something of herself, helping other survivors and playing a significant role in the rehabilitation of trafficked humans' lives. She's also trying to hunt down the criminals and shut down their operations, saving so many people in the process. It's painful to know that human trafficking has only gotten worse as the years go by, with technology making it harder for victims to escape.
I was shocked to learn about males being trafficked into construction work, enduring poor conditions, starvation, and not receiving fair pay for their 16+ hour workdays. I never really thought about how it's so much more than just the sex industry.
Overall, it's a very powerful read. There's no way I can give a true story about pain, suffering, trauma, healing, triumph, and overcoming life's hardest obstacles anything less than a 5-star rating.
It's truly inspiring to see Timea turn from a victim to a survivor and have such a drive to make something of herself, helping other survivors and playing a significant role in the rehabilitation of trafficked humans' lives. She's also trying to hunt down the criminals and shut down their operations, saving so many people in the process. It's painful to know that human trafficking has only gotten worse as the years go by, with technology making it harder for victims to escape.
I was shocked to learn about males being trafficked into construction work, enduring poor conditions, starvation, and not receiving fair pay for their 16+ hour workdays. I never really thought about how it's so much more than just the sex industry.
Overall, it's a very powerful read. There's no way I can give a true story about pain, suffering, trauma, healing, triumph, and overcoming life's hardest obstacles anything less than a 5-star rating.
March 24, 2021
In 1998, before "sex trafficking" even had a name, Timea Nagy was 20 years old, broke, and living in Budapest, Hungary. She saw a newspaper ad recruiting young Hungarian women to work in Canada as housekeepers, babysitters, and dancers. She and her friend answered the ad and met with a recruiter. She signed a contract which was in English, even though Timea spoke no English. Turns out she wasn't going to work for a legitimate agency, but rather she was being sex traficked.
This is the harrowing story of Timea's life over the next 20 years, told in graphic, painful detail. It is a story of heartbreak and terror, but also of tremendous resilency. While encountering the most evil people imaginable, Timea also encountered many good people, with whose help she was able to finally break free.
I highly recommend this book with the warning that you will be forever changed in how you view the sex industry. Timea is dedicating her life to saving other victims and addressing the fight against sex trafficking.
"It's a huge battle that needs a global response, from individuals to industries to nations. It requires that we do everything from educating our children - boys and girls - on respectful relationships, self-confidence, peer support and trafficking savvy so that they are less vulnerable to being lured, all the way to eliminating the acceptance of sex as a commodity. We need to denormalize using pornography, hosting bachelor parties with strippers, and visiting strip clubs or "massage parlors" as male rights of passage..."
This is the harrowing story of Timea's life over the next 20 years, told in graphic, painful detail. It is a story of heartbreak and terror, but also of tremendous resilency. While encountering the most evil people imaginable, Timea also encountered many good people, with whose help she was able to finally break free.
I highly recommend this book with the warning that you will be forever changed in how you view the sex industry. Timea is dedicating her life to saving other victims and addressing the fight against sex trafficking.
"It's a huge battle that needs a global response, from individuals to industries to nations. It requires that we do everything from educating our children - boys and girls - on respectful relationships, self-confidence, peer support and trafficking savvy so that they are less vulnerable to being lured, all the way to eliminating the acceptance of sex as a commodity. We need to denormalize using pornography, hosting bachelor parties with strippers, and visiting strip clubs or "massage parlors" as male rights of passage..."
June 10, 2019
Phonemenal, soul wrenching, an absolutely necessary read for anyone unaware of the prevalence of human trafficking and what it looks like. What a raw story, I feel so privileged to have been able to read Timea's story. I'm motivated to pass this book around in my advocacy and volunteering work.
February 25, 2022
timea is an incredibly inspiring woman who has experienced some truly unimaginable things. she tells her story with such strength and grace— i definitely recommend this to any memoir readers!
June 30, 2023
Unbelievable, tragic and so much bravery for survivor Timea to share her story about surviving human trafficking in Toronto, Ontario.
June 14, 2019
Hard read, but eye opening. I know Canada isn't as squeaky clean as many non-canadians think, but it was still tough to know that while I was hanging out in bars and wandering home at 4am, living my life and having fun in Toronto, women were being trafficked and abused. I could have walked by Timea at any time in the Annex and never had known her history. it's heartbreaking and i'm so proud of her for setting up Walk with Me after all Canada had done to her.
January 20, 2023
Wow. This was such an intense story of trauma and surviving human trafficking. It’s crazy to read stories like these from the lens of a trauma therapist, because I can see how vulnerable she was from the beginning and why it makes sense that she continued to blame herself for her situation, creating a vicious cycle that makes it harder for her to escape her dangerous situation. Such a sad but inspiring story, and it was amazing to see the healing that Timea is able to do through groundbreaking work. I am so moved and inspired by Timea’s story and I am so impressed by what she has contributed to this world.
July 21, 2021
This book was so disturbing. While I understood what happened when hearing human trafficking, this account opened my eyes to how completely trapped and powerless victims feel.
Nagy's account is so raw. Her work in uncovering trafficking in Canada, is remarkable.
Everyone should read this book.
Thanks for the recommendation Misty!
Nagy's account is so raw. Her work in uncovering trafficking in Canada, is remarkable.
Everyone should read this book.
Thanks for the recommendation Misty!
August 31, 2022
This was FANTASTIC... I would definitely have to say in my top 5 memoirs of all time! This had me completely gripped from page 1 all the way until the end. It can be a hard read at times, but it made me spiral through so many different emotions. Timea Nagy had quite the story to tell, and she did it perfectly!
January 19, 2023
I read this in a little over 24 hours. I could not put it down. Timea has been through unimaginable things and is an incredibly strong woman.
It made me realize how easy it is for a young girl to become a victim of human trafficking.
Timea still advocates for victims and survivors of human trafficking today. She has helped thousands of women. Truly amazing.
This is a book I will never forget, and forever recommend.
It made me realize how easy it is for a young girl to become a victim of human trafficking.
Timea still advocates for victims and survivors of human trafficking today. She has helped thousands of women. Truly amazing.
This is a book I will never forget, and forever recommend.
November 24, 2022
Memoirs always get a 5 from me bc it’s brave to write your own story. And brave this one is. International human trafficking and sex trafficking. Horrifying and in our backyard. A difficult disturbing read yet compellingly at the same time. I listened to it and the author narrated. Powerful.
November 20, 2024
Absolutely heart breaking. 😥
December 4, 2024
Every page was a further descent into an unimaginable hell; Timea’s resilience and bravery in telling this account is astounding. Shed a huge light on the current and past state of human trafficking in Canada.
July 18, 2023
I wish I could give Timea's story unlimited stars. This was such a moving story and opened my eyes to so many things. This is a story everyone should know.
June 7, 2021
5/5. Incredible. Touching. Moving. Literally.
January 13, 2025
An unbelievable story of resilience. Timea is a true survivor. The audiobook narration was fantastic and provided different voices and demeanours of the various people in her story. I couldn’t stop listening.
Read
August 14, 2025Devastating yet beautiful.
The darkness of Canada.
The darkness of Canada.
February 25, 2025
This memoir crushed me. Such an important read.
September 14, 2020
Could not put this book down despite it being emotionally tough to read (there’s a reason I read it over the course of 2 days while I also worked). Recommend this memoir for sure.
June 29, 2020
from the first page of this book it reads like you are her best friend and she is telling you her story. I found myself not only disgusted at the people who took advantage of her, but also rooting for her throughout the book and I'm still rooting for her even though I'm done the book. This book enlightened me to the truth about human trafficking & to the injustices that people who are being human trafficked feel. What Timea overcame should be motivation to everyone to keep going. keep fighting even when giving up would be much easier.
June 20, 2019
I truly loved this book. I bought it in the airport and I could not put it down until I finished it. Not only is it an incredible education on human trafficking, but it is also a gripping story of resilience. I was so taken by Timea. She is an incredible woman. This book is well written, it is non-fiction, but reads like a page turner novel and is important to know about.
July 30, 2019
This novel is equally difficult and easy to read. I found myself cringing and wanting to turn the page to find out what happens next. You'll want to read to the end. Timea's story is brave and hopeful. Moroney's empathetic way of writing makes you feel as though you are Timea.
March 7, 2025
I really enjoyed this memoir, it is probably my favourite one that I’ve read so far. It was gripping, traumatic and interesting to see this woman’s life unfold. It was also interesting to hear the things that transpired in the area that I grew up.
Probably will recommend this book forever.
Probably will recommend this book forever.
October 12, 2019
READ. THIS.
January 10, 2020
Thank you Timea for sharing your story and for shedding a true spotlight on human trafficking in Canada and worldwide. The work you do is amazing and we are so thankful for all that you do.
February 3, 2021
Can I give this 6/5 stars ? 🌟
Displaying 1 - 30 of 303 reviews