The story starts off with a thirteen-year-old girl named Lakshmi. She lives in Nepal in a small hut with her family on a mountain. The family is very poor and Lakshmi's family's crops are destroyed by a monsoon that hits. Lakshmi is forced by her stepfather to take a job in the city to support her family. She thinks she is going to be a maid and have a fairly nice life in the city, but her stepfather really sells her into prostitution. On the way to the prostitution house, the person taking her there calls it the "happiness house". She soon realizes there is no happiness present in that house at all, and her life will never be the same again. At the prostitution house, her life becomes horrible. The runner of the house, Mumtaz, is cruel and ruthless. Lakshmi is told that she just has to pay off her family's debt that she owes, but Mumtaz keeps her for longer even after she has payed off her debt. Lakshmi meets many new friends along the way that help her survive, but they begin to "drop like flies" (disease, being kicked out onto the streets, etc.). She needs to escape, but when faced with that decision, she could risk everything,
The thing I liked best about this book was the plot. The story was a real page-turner. It kept you on the edge of your seat because there was always something going on in the house. Lakshmi hated the things she had to do in the house, but I like how she never gave up. She was very selfless because she wanted to help her family. Lastly, I liked the word choice of the author because it helped keep me intrigued with the novel.
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The part of the book that will stick with me is the courage of Lakshmi. Lakshmi could've maybe escaped the house, but besides knowing that her life would be worse on the streets, she decided to stay there. She decided to stay there because she knows her family is counting on her and she doesn't want to let them down. I think this quote by Bethany Hamilton is a perfect representation of Lakshmi. Of course she was afraid inside the house and of Mumtaz, but that didn't stop her. In the end, Lakshmi's courage helped her to survive.
Maddi, I've seen this book everywhere, but I never got up the nerve to read it. I am a little squeemish when it comes to children in situations like Lakshmi's. Maybe it's because I have children, it makes me upset to see them abused or abducted (in books or on tv-- which sometimes stinks because I love crime shows). I really like how you took the time to go beyond the basic plot of the book and tell us the heart of the story-- her courage. That's the purpose of a blog like ours, so be able to share ideas and stories that we discovered in a world between the pages. I think your quote is a perfect addition to your entry. It applies completely, and I can even compare it to one of my books I'm reading now-- Emma, by Jane Austen.
ReplyDeleteMaddi, I really liked how you linked everything together with her courage. The information did not expose to much of the book but it gave enough to make it very intriguing. The quote chosen fits the information perfectly and it helped me fully understand how brave and courageous Lakshmi really is. This book is similar to the book I just finished, "Branded." The main character is branded with lust(she innocent) and she is looked at for the same reason Lakshmi is. As soon as I read your entry, I thought of that book. "Sold" is definitely on my reading list.
ReplyDeleteMaddi! This is a very well written summery! This book sounds very interesting. I love the way you told this story. You gave me just enough detail that I want to read this book! The quote that you choice fits perfectly! It ties right in with the story. Im defiantly going to have to check out this book!
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