I really couldn't stand to put this book down. Although a lot of the time sequences didn't make much sense I truly feel that Oxana is telling her real story, there's just too much small detail thrown in for me to feel otherwise. This is an important book in my opinion, especially so for people that live in any area where prostitution is very heavy.
In my quiet little town here in the US there was a massage parlor full of Asian women. I knew what was going on because of the books I read. These women were here illegally, and their pimp was a black man from Chicago. The men from India would be lined up out in to the street waiting to go in and choose a girl. Too bad for the pimp I live in the Bible Belt, and his operation was soon shut down. I still wonder if those Asian women were treated as victims that day, or as prostitutes. I wonder this because my town is not really equipped to handle something like this.
I pray that more, and more laws will be passed to protect these women who's lives are destroyed by these evil people, and I pray that Oxana finally gets her happy ending.
I cannot rate this book for the simple reason that if I give it a five stars, I would be considered a sadist and if I give it 1 or 2 stars, I would be telling that I didn't like this book. Neither of which is true. This book left in me a shock, pity and hatred that would take a long time to fade away. I appreciate Kalemi's courage and passion, not only for escaping and taking refuge, but also for writing a book and telling the true story to the world to warn and to show the alarming rate at which compassion and humanity is leaking from the face of this earth. Her love for her children was heart touching. I would also like to thank the POPPY Project for their remarkable service and for showing a ray of hope to all those suffering women out there.
I was shocked by this story of the trafficking of women as sex workers. Women sold into being prostitutes and was equally shocked to learn that this is the 3rd largest trade behind drugs and arms. I felt naive in not fully understanding that this sort of thing actually happens. We hear of drugs and arms and not of this. WHY?
Oxana, you are truly an inspiring women. To be able to tell of the awful things that happened to you from such an early age and the triumph that you are able to tell your story. I felt so many emotions reading this book, I cried for what happened in your life and thought how much must one person bear, I cried for your separation from your children, I felt anger at the people who betrayed you and cried for happiness when you were given asylum.
I have since read up on the POPPY Project and commend them for their work in helping improve the wellbeing of women in the UK who have been trafficked and are in need of support and advocacy.
Es war für mich schwer, das Buch zu lesen. Nicht weil es schwer verständlich war, nein, weil ich mir immer wieder gedacht habe "wieviel Leid kann ein Mensch ertragen?". Einmal in die Hände genommen und ich habe es verschlungen. Das Buch ist sehr herzzerreißend geschrieben. Definitiv nichts für schwache Nerven!
very emotional book and it is deffo recomend to everyone to read. The author goes through alot of pain and suffering and how men treated her was unimaginable. human slavery needs to stop and thts it!!
A truly shocking story, its unbelievable that this actually goes on. Thank goodness for POPPY. I did however feel the story was cut short with no resolution to the situation with her children and I hope that she managed to get this sorted.
A very quick read, I loved how straight to the point the author was. I love true stories and this book made me want to read the book in one go, reminded me of how lucky we are.
Eine traurige Geschichte unserer kriminellen Welt.
Oxana wird in für Osteuropa in gewöhnlichen Verhältnissen groß. Als Teenager wird sie das erste Mal vergewaltigt, was ihr Leben grundlegend ändert. Sie verliebt sich, heiratet sehr früh und glaubt geliebt zu werden bis ihr Mann sie prügelt Zuhause einsperrt. Als er sie das erste mal verkauft hat sie 3 Kinder.
Sie schafft den Mann zu verlassen, aber durch das fehlende soziale System hat sie keinerlei Absicherung und ist gezwungen zu arbeiten. Der Zusammenhalt der Familie ermöglicht es ihr in die Türkei zu gehen, um dort zu arbeiten. Durch die Verlockung des Geldes lässt sie sich von einer vermeintlichen Freundin zum Arbeiten nach Albanien locken. Die Odyssee durch Kroatien, bis sie am Ende in England landet, hat sie viel Kraft gekostet. Nur die Hoffnung ihren Kindern irgendwann ein besseres Leben zu bieten, lässt Oxana durchhalten.
Das Buch ist in jeder Zeile spannend. Leider oft so brutal und traurig, das man es nicht weiter lesen mag. Man kann nicht sagen, dass es mit einem Happy End endet, dass wäre wohl auch nicht zu erwarten, aber sie schafft es ihre Situation zu verändern. Ich habe jede Minute mit gelitten und für sie gehofft. Immer wieder habe ich mich gefragt, wie man so ein Martyrium über so lange Zeit durchstehen kann ohne vollends daran zu zerbrechen. Dieses Buch kann man nur empfehlen!!
Passei vários anos sem ler relatos de vida e este ano já li 3. Todos começam por uma fase crítica da vida da protagonista, o ponto de viragem que fez com que ela decidisse mudar de vida, depois voltam atrás e começam a história do princípio ao fim. Neste livro, nem percebi exactamente onde encaixava o tal capítulo inicial na história de vida dela. O modo como é escrito também não me agradou particularmente, mas também não esperava que agradasse.
Mas a história de vida da protagonista é brutal. É irreal que exista gente tão insensível e que o tráfico humano ainda exista nos dias de hoje. Este tipo de livros devia ser de leitura obrigatória para obrigar a sociedade a abrir os olhos, tomar conhecimento dos horrores que se passam à nossa volta e procurar sinais de quem está mal e precisa de ajuda.
Although I really love this book, I didn't feel as connected as I felt like I should have. It's a horrible true story and something no one should ever suffer. I'd also like to know how her life is now...
It's the 16th of April 2020 we are in lockdown because of covid-19. I haven't read a book in years and now I have so much free time, I am only up to chapter 7 and I'm enjoying it so much. Big love from Lisa Defreitas Sydney Australia 💜🙏💜
This book was amazing!! I couldn't put it down. I was shocked but inspired by what this women has been through but came out of the other side. It's a brilliant read about a strong brave women!
3,5* Uma autobiografia, com uma história de vida brutal. A crueldade da sociedade que obriga a que ainda gaja tráfico de seres humanos e que obriguem mulheres a prostituirem-se para dar melhor vida aos filhos. Não dou mais * porque na narrativa há um salto temporal que não nos elucida como a autora passou de uma situação para a outra
3,5* Uma autobiografia, com uma história de vida brutal. A crueldade da sociedade que obriga a que ainda gaja tráfico de seres humanos e que obriguem mulheres a prostituirem-se para dar melhor vida aos filhos. Não dou mais * porque na narrativa há um salto temporal que não nos elucida como a autora passou de uma situação para a outra
É o relato, na primeira pessoa, de uma mãe raptada por uma rede de prostituição. Uma história aterradora, que nos mostra o lado mais sombrio que o ser humano pode ter. Mas, felizmente para Oxana, há esperança.
Found this in my collection while I was packing up books and opened it and found the first few pages so heartbreaking and couldn’t stop reading until the end. What a life to be forced into. I tried to look online to find where the author is today but nothing. Can only hope her dreams came true
I enjoyed this book, it,s an eye opener. Hard to imagine this goes on, although I,ve heard it does go on. I hope you get your children back. These men are the lowest of the low. I hope you write another book to let us know how you get on and what happens with your children. Good luck in your quest.
Ich konnte mich richtig in Oxana reinversetzen weil die Autorin ihre Gefühle und ihre Lage so gut beschrieben hat. Leider ist es eine wahre Geschichte und ich finde man muss es gelesen haben, um sich immer wieder daran zu erinnern dass es solche Dinge auf dieser Welt gibt