A Season of Reading - The Road of Lost Innocence

This book was tough for me. Not because it wasn't good; it was excellent. But rather because it made me feel like the bubble I allow myself to live in is ignorant to the world around me. The Road of Lost Innocence focuses on the life of Somaly Mam and her journey through the sex trafficking industry of Cambodia as a child and teenager; followed by her journey to start an organization to rescue girl's out of sex trafficking all across Southeast Asia.

It rips out your heart that someone could be treated this way. The industry that this book describes will make you want to cry and scream, and the way that it numbed her and others to even seeing themselves as fully human will teach you something about what abuse does to humanity. The things that are done to these children are wrong. I could not even believe them as I turned each page.

This book makes me feel like there is nothing I can do. This woman knows the system inside and out, and so was able to work against it, but not without consequence. She experienced death and pain and attack and everything that comes with those things. Her story hurts the deepest parts of my soul. Every part of her life is difficult, but that doesn't stop her from trying. It makes me think I need to try harder to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate than myself, because the simple fact that I am typing these words shows how fortunate I am.

Wow, just reflecting back, this book had a profound effect on me. The way it is written is very matter of fact and not emotional. This style choice breaks me down as the things she is writing are extremely emotional for me. While some controversy surrounds whether the book is true in its entirety, one basic truth remains the same: Horrible things are being done to children across this world and it is hard to stop them, but it is people like Somaly Mam that bring us hope that even rescuing one girl makes a difference.

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