The Sin

by Teuta Metra

The Sin is that generational book that helps you to understand a time, a place and a culture. The scope of the story is enhanced by its intimacy and the vivid characters. Poverty and loneliness led people to crime and the easy way of making money. The fall of communism in 1990’s in Albania, changed the life of the people in the small Balkan country. Heading towards the big unknown was inevitable. The Sin is literary fiction, examining the personal and broader effects when a mother unwittingly sells her young daughter to be a sex slave.'I enjoyed this sweeping, inter-generational tale of romance and betrayal. The characters were sensitively portrayed, even the villain Tani and his colourful ensemble of rogues, and the Albanian settings were convincingly and poignantly described. The interweaving of Jeton and Elma’s narratives had both depth and charm, and kept the pages turning.' Anthony J. Quinn

197 pages, Paperback

Published November 14, 2016

About the author

Teuta Metra is an Albanian/Dutch writer based in Rotterdam. She holds a degree in Literature and Linguistics from the University of Tirana and has a background in journalism. Through her fiction books, Teuta advocates for women's rights in her home country. She is a firm believer in the transformative power of words and literature. By day, Teuta works as a librarian in Rotterdam and by night, she dedicates herself to writing and weaving stories that inspire and empower. Teuta lives now in The Netherlands with her husband and two sons.


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Reviews

[Stephanie Fuccio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tragic but flowing. The book had me interested until a time snap that rushed the book into a bit of an odd ending. Still recommend because her writing style is very good and the details are interesting.

[Erisa Olkun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harika bir kitap, uzun zamandır bu kadar yoğun duygulu ve gerçekleri yüze tokat gibi indiren bu kadar başarılı bir kitap okumamıştım.

[Jane McFarland · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sin by Teuta Metra is a gripping, heart-wrenching story that paints a vivid picture of how a poverty-stricken culture becomes overrun by crime, drugs, and money.

The story begins with Vera confessing to her neighbor the sin she committed when she unknowingly sells her daughter as a sex slave. Of course, one could ask how could a mother do that, and how could she not know. But as the story unfolds, we’re reminded things aren’t always as simple as they seem, and the feelings of anger and hate transform into compassion and sorrow.

Elma is smitten with Jeton, supporting his music career and planning their life together, even if it means leaving Albania and moving across the ocean to America. Meanwhile, Vera is busy making other plans for her. Jeton’s in a different social class, which is frowned upon in their culture, and Vera wants one thing for her daughter – financial security. Little does she know she’s about to make the biggest mistake of her life when she promises Elma’s hand to Tani, who’s already made an overwhelming impression, letting his money do most of the talking.

After decades of self-grieving, it’s clear Vera has not forgiven herself. Maybe this confession to Fata is her last and only chance to find some redemption, even if it’s too late to apologize to Elma.

The book is full of characters who are good, strong people who are trying to do better for themselves and their culture as a whole. While this is a work of fiction, Metra took a chance with The Sin as her debut novel by revealing the harsh reality of the Albanian culture at this time, and she nailed it.