Maw Books

Maw Books – book reviews, book recommendations, book lists, author interviews and more!

A couple weeks ago I was browsing the shelves at a local bookstore when Sold by Patricia McCormick caught my eye. Maybe it’s the artist in me, but I am very drawn to the cover art of book jackets. Judge a book by it’s cover? Yep, I do. I’ll freely admit it. Which isn’t that what the publishers want? Looks like I’m their perfect kind of customer. Anyways, I picked up this book simply because of it’s cover art. After reading the short description, I knew I had to read it. I was not familiar with this book (found out later it was a National Book Award finalist) or this author. I’m glad that I found her and this book. It’s one that I would recommend everybody read and I’ve already got my husband started. If your looking for a quick read, this book only took me a couple of hours to read. Although it’s quick, it’s not “light” reading as this amazing story keeps you thinking about it long after you’ve put it down.

Lakshmi is a poor, thirteen-year-old girl who lives in a tiny hut in the high mountains in Nepal. Life is hard, but simple and pleasurable for Lakshmi as her and her mother dream of what they would do if they just had a bit more money. Lakshmi’s stepfather gives Lakshmi to an “Auntie,” and the innocent girl thinks she will be working in a glorious city for a wealthy employer as a maid. It isn’t until she arrives at the red light district in Calcutta and is brutally shown to her first “customer” does she realize that she has been sold into prostitution. Her life becomes a nightmare, but above it all Lakshmi not only endures but triumphs.

Although, this story was brutally honest, heart wrenching, and a difficult subject matter, the storytelling in itself was refreshing. Told in poem like vignettes, McCormicks’ writing style was a pleasure to read. So much so, that I couldn’t wait to read more of her. I now have her two other books, My Brother’s Keeper and Cut, waiting for me at the library. I’ll let you know what I think.

Visit Patricia McCormick’s website for book reviews, summaries, and more.

Update: Looks like I’m not the only one who puts stock in the jacket cover art:

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