The Blue Notebook by James A. Levine
The Blue Notebook, James A. Levine ’s debut novel, is about child prostitution in India. It’s a book that I knew going into would be an emotionally hard and difficult read and I wasn’t wrong. It’s haunting. It’s the type of book that elicits a physical reaction from the reader and I found myself cringing or clenching my jaw while reading it. So many people tell me, “I hate sad books! I can only read happy books!” But I think that stories like this are demanding to be told and I can’t ignore them.
Batuk is just nine years old when her parents throw her a goodbye party. Can you imagine the parents who love their child enough to give a goodbye party but yet it’s because they will be selling her? Makes me do a double take and say, “Huh?” Obviously, it wasn’t a fun party, everybody was uneasy and cried. Unaware of the occasion, Batuk honestly thought that she was going to die. But perhaps death was preferable as the next morning her father took her to the city of Mumbai and sold her. Scared and alone and very confused, Batuk’s virginity is sold to the highest bidder and then she is sent to Common street where we meet her at the age of fifteen working as a very precocious fifteen-year-old who works hard to remain in Madam Mamaki Briila’s favor.
Batuk’s world changes when she is ill and while in the hospital is taught to read and write. She manages to tuck away a pencil and writes her story in a diary. Her story is simply haunting and does not spare details. She shares her memories of home with her parents, and then losing her virginity at age nine to the highest bidder, being raped, beaten, and yet, flirting with the men on the streets so she can bring in more customers.
Although the subject matter is ugly and brutal, the writing certainly is not. At times it is simple and forward, giving light and explanation to many dark and ugly prostitution practices and at other times it’s very lyrical. Batuk’s diary writing doesn’t dive deep into the emotional hardships of her occupation but is rather factual, a technique that I believe Levine uses to illustrate how dead in spirit she has become. Writing, however does bring out Batuk’s creative side, she is smart and intelligent and given a different environment would thrive.
The Blue Notebook will make you frustrated simply for the reason that we want so much more for Batuk. She didn’t ask for this life and as the reader we are powerless to pull ourselves into the story and pull her out. Levine gives a voice to all the powerless girls who have been trapped into the ugly world of sexual slavery.
And after reading this book, you’ll discover that ugly doesn’t even begin to describe it.
Links of interest: All of the U.S proceeds from The Blue Notebook will be donated to the International and National Centers for Missing and Exploited Children. More blogger reviews.
Genre: Literary Fiction.
Published by Spiegel & Grau. July 7, 2009.
Hardcover, 224 pages. ISBN: 038552871X
The Blue Notebook is available from your local independent bookstore, Powell’s and Amazon.
Hey you! Yes. You! I've noticed that you've stopped by to visit a few times! But I don't know who you are. Why don't you take a moment and introduce yourself. Don't be scared. I try not to bite. I know you're a lurker but I'd love to hear your thoughts about what's been bringing you here. And if you haven't done so already, don't forget to never miss a post by subscribing to my feed or receiving updates by email. Thanks for visiting!
Category: Adult, Book Reviews, Fiction
Tags: A-D Title, child abuse, child prositution, Fiction, I-L Author, India, male author, published 2009, review copy, sexual abuse
Enjoy this post? Then subscribe to receive updates in your favorite reader or by email.
Maw Books has an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including Indiebound, Powell's, and Amazon . When you buy a product (not just books - any product), via one of my links, Maw Books earns income from the sale and as always, it's much appreciated as all affiliate income is used to support the blog. There is no cost to you.
I haven’t read this yet but I have it. Like you, I know it’s going to be a painful and difficult read, but I feel that this is a story that I need to listen to.
on June 18th, 2009 at 6:19 amGreat review, Natasha. I MUST read this book.
on June 18th, 2009 at 6:47 amI feel compelled to read books like this too, even though they can be very disturbing. Great review.
on June 18th, 2009 at 8:33 amIt sounds so depressing and horrible I’m just not sure I’d want to read this one.
on June 18th, 2009 at 8:33 amGreat review! I’m off to email the link to it to my friends now!
on June 18th, 2009 at 8:43 amI think yours is the first review to mention the going away party. I had forgotten about that! And the initiation party! Gosh, there’s just so much I wanted to block out after that book! But you do get torn between thinking “I don’t want to know” and “we MUST know.”
on June 18th, 2009 at 8:45 amI’ve heard of this book, but hadn’t read much about it. I’ll definitely be putting it on my TBR!
on June 18th, 2009 at 12:19 pmI’m adding this book to my tbr list. I noticed my library doesn’t have it, but I might have to go buy it.
on June 18th, 2009 at 3:24 pmHow wonderful that they’re donating the US proceeds from the sale of the book.
on June 18th, 2009 at 10:17 pmI don’t know if i can read this
. I do agree it is an important issue, and that we should be doing more.
Thanks for bringing this book to my attention.
on June 18th, 2009 at 10:23 pmThis book is in my “Books on Deck” pile, which is the ones to be read very soon. I received it from LT’s ER program. The subject matter is the very reason that makes me reticent to allow Maggie, who’s still 10, to go with her dad to Vietnam. I know he wouldn’t sell her, but that’s not to say someone wouldn’t steal her to sell.
It definitely makes one frustrated with the world, to be sure.
on June 18th, 2009 at 10:35 pmThe issue of child prostition really tears at my heart. I want to rescue all those poor little girls. This book will be added to my “must read” list.
on June 18th, 2009 at 10:54 pmI think this book has to go on my list to read.
on June 19th, 2009 at 5:17 pmHi Natasha,
This does sound very depressing. But it is a fact that on one can dismiss. I recently read Jantzen’s Gift by Pam Cope. The touches on this subject with her book. I think I will have to put this on my TBR list. Thanks for the review.
Sherrie
on June 20th, 2009 at 3:58 pmI really thought this book was excellent (despite the painful topic).
on June 21st, 2009 at 5:11 pmA wonderful review! I have put it on my TBR list. Nice that all the US proceeds go for a good cause!
Suzanne
on June 29th, 2009 at 8:46 pmHaving read it now, I can say: Yes, the subject matter is very rough. Hard to read. But also, it *is* an important subject. I think sometimes we learn better from truths being placed in fictional accounts. For me, that’s part of why The Blue Notebook is important.
on July 7th, 2009 at 1:13 pmWith books like this I am always torn between I MUST read this and I CAN’T read this I don’t want this in my head! Just reading the first sentence of your review brought tears to my eyes. Thanks for the great review! I’ll definitely will be reading this.
on August 16th, 2009 at 5:10 pm