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Trafficked: Das Tagebuch einer Sex-Sklavin
Mein Name ist Elena, und ich war mal ein menschliches Wesen. Jetzt bin ich Sexsklavin. Wenn du dieses Tagebuch liest, bin ich entweder tot, oder es ist mir gelungen, zu fliehen ... "20 Prozent der Tantiemen aus dem Verkauf dieses Buches gehen an zwei fuhrende Wohltatigkeitsorganisationen, die von Grossbritannien aus den Menschenhandel bekampfen: The Poppy Project und Unseen UK." Sibel Hodge, die Verfasserin Trafficked: Tagebuch einer Sex-Sklavin ist eine ungeschminkte, ergreifende und zu Tranen ruhrende Erzahlung, die sich auf Berichte von Opfern und Recherchen zur Unterwelt. 2011 nahm die Webseite Accredited Online College das Buch in ihre Liste der besten vierzig Bucher zu Menschenrechtsthemen auf. Anerkennung fur Trafficked: Tagebuch einer Sex-Sklavin "Obwohl das Thema ein Verheerendes ist, hat Hodge diese Geschichte gut geschrieben. Sie schafft es, uns auf diese schonungslose Reise mitzunehmen, die uns am Ende atemlos zurucklasst. Ich kann dieses Buch nur warmstens empfehlen! Es ist sehr bewegend und Sie werden nicht enttauscht sein." Boekie's Book Reviews "Herzerweichend und gut geschrieben" Man kann es nicht aus der Hand legen. "Diese Geschichte ist zutiefst herzzerreissend. Einige der Dinge, die Elena zustossen, sind einfach schrecklich, aber irgendwie verliert sie nie ganz die Hoffnung, dass sie wieder mit ihrer Tochter vereint werden wird. Dadurch, dass das Buch in Tagebuch-Form geschrieben ist, konnte ich sie vor meinem geistigen Auge sehen und die Dinge wirklich spuren, die ihr passiert sind." Wistful Kimmie's Book Reviews "Hodge hat die Leser auf eine ungewohnliche Reise mitgenommen, die uns beruhrt und gleichzeitig unser Herz bricht. Wir sehen die Geschichte durch die Augen von Elena, dem Opfer, dem das Tagebuch gehort. Beim Lesen konnte ich die Emotionen des Opfers spuren, ihre Traurigkeit, ihren Frust, ihre Wut und ihre Angst. All das bundelt sich zusammen zu einer Last, die scheinbar nie ein Ende nehmen wird." The Bornean Bookw
96 pages, Paperback
First published August 6, 2011
1177 people are currently reading
3735 people want to read
About the author
Sibel Hodge
51 books922 followersSibel Hodge is the author of the #1 Bestsellers Look Behind You, Untouchable, and Duplicity. Her books have sold over one million copies and are international bestsellers in the UK, USA, Australia, France, Canada and Germany. She writes in an eclectic mix of genres, and is a passionate human and animal rights advocate.
Her work has been nominated and shortlisted for numerous prizes, including the Harry Bowling Prize, the Yeovil Literary Prize, the Chapter One Promotions Novel Competition, The Romance Reviews’ prize for Best Novel with Romantic Elements and Indie Book Bargains’ Best Indie Book of 2012 in two categories. She was the winner of Best Children’s Book in the 2013 eFestival of Words; nominated for the 2015 BigAl’s Books and Pals Young Adult Readers’ Choice Award; winner of the Crime, Thrillers & Mystery Book from a Series Award in the SpaSpa Book Awards 2013; winner of the Readers’ Favorite Young Adult (Coming of Age) Honorable award in 2015; a New Adult finalist in the Oklahoma Romance Writers of America’s International Digital Awards 2015, and 2017 International Thriller Writers Award finalist for Best E-book Original Novel. Her novella Trafficked: The Diary of a Sex Slave has been listed as one of the top forty books about human rights by Accredited Online Colleges.
For Sibel’s latest book releases, giveaways and gossip, sign up to her newsletter at www.sibelhodge.com/contact-followme.php.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 280 reviews
September 11, 2011
Trafficked: The Diary of a Sex Slave,by Sibel Hodge is an amazing book that must be read. It is the story of Elena who is kidnapped and trafficked to work in the sex business. I read this book in one sitting, as was totally caught up in the story.Written in the first person, in the form of a diary similar in style to the Diary of Anne Frank, it takes the reader right into the mindset of Elena. The reader shares her distress, her worries, her pain, and her fears. I felt the pain and anguish she was left to endure.Everyone needs to take a moment and read this book, and realize how lucky we are to have the life we have.It gives us a greater appreciation for what is really important in our life.A definate 5 Star rating. Sibel Hodge is an amazing writer.Thank you so much for allowing me to read your book.
March 16, 2013
Solid 5 stars not because I think this story entertains me or titillates me in any way. The 5 stars is my salute to the author's courage and strength in bringing the stories of thousands of Elenas out there into the daylight.
Quote: "My name is Elena and I used to be a human being. Now I am a sex slave. If you are reading this diary then I am either dead or I have managed to escape...."
This book opens up our eyes and ears to the silent sufferings of those around us that we have somehow tuned out due to our own daily pursuits.
Quote: "I can gaze out of the window and, through the bars, I see the cloudless blue sky, sunshine, and tops of the houses. I can hear the sounds of a busy city echoing around me - people going about their life as if everything in the world is normal."
Quote: "Trust . It is such a small word but it can have such a big effect on your life."
It also, tells us what happen to Elena could have happened to just anyone, your friends, your loved ones even to you yourself however safe and well protected you may think you are. No one is truly “safe” until we choose to acknowledge this atrocity and work together to rid of it. Don't just turn away, let your voice be heard. Every life is precious.
Part of Author's Note:
"I wanted Trafficked to be gritty, hard hitting, and tear-jerking. And I
wanted it to make people really stop and think about this subject. I chose to
write it in the form of a diary so the reader really feels every emotion – the
fear, beatings, horror, desperation, hope, and faith. I wanted you to
experience the ordeal through the eyes of all the Elenas out there."
Just a bit of a spoiler here to wrap this review up:
Please read this book and try to help spread the word to build more awareness. Yes, you can help. Everyone of has the capacity to do so. It has to start from us.
Many of us thinks that yes, human trafficking is bad and 'someone' or 'somebody in authority' needs to stop it. We just don't realize we ourselves could make a difference just by spreading the word, discouraging ignorance and indifference, which is the root cause of such crime. "Small things matter. What may look like a small act of courage is courage nevertheless. The important thing is to be willing to take a step forward." (quote found on the net)
"Human rights, democracy and peace are a single entity. When one disintegrates, they all disintegrate." (quote found on the net)
Quote: "I relish the feeling of the sun on my cheeks as I take deep gulps of fresh air. It is little things like this I have come to appreciate."
September 16, 2011
This short novella is written in diary form, covering about 90+ days plus an epilogue.
Elena is a poor young woman from a country in Eastern Europe, with a child and a mother, living on the edge of poverty. They struggle. They dream of a better life. Elena's husband and father are dead, leaving the women vulnerable.
Elena's friend tells her about an opportunity in Italy, for work and money, and the two women make plans together to leave, find work, get established and then bring Elena's mother and daughter over as well.
What Elena doesn't know is that her friend is a deceitful bitch, and part of a human trafficking ring. Of course, Elena doesn't find this out until she's already in too deep, captured, bound and drugged, on her way to Italy.
She finds herself in a brothel in Milan, where she is forced to work every day for 12 hours, servicing the men that come and pay to have sex.
She tries to escape but fails. Beatings and rape are her punishment until she is sold to Paul who runs a massage parlor in London.
Again, Elena is smuggled across the borders with a false passport and forced to work for Paul. She never sees any money for what she has to endure at the hands of the many men, she's given little food and she's kept in line by being threatened with the life of her daughter.
Just as she is about to give up hope, she meets Jamie, a widower who treats her like a person instead of an object and who slowly gains her trust, to the point where she tells him what is going on. Together, they makes plans to free Elena from her captors.
I don't want to give away all the details - you should read this short book for yourself. What I can tell you though is that despite the raw style (it's a diary after all), the subject matter is horrific enough to make you angry and cry. This is a young woman who was lied to, stolen from her life, raped, beaten, forced to service men in any way they chose and treated like an object, like a thing. She was not given a choice. She was told that unless she complied her daughter would die. Or be raped as well. Or sold into slavery.
Elena's story has a happy ending, of sorts. She does manage to get out of the situation, but that is not the norm for these girls. Most of them have no hope of ever getting out. Most of them are sold repeatedly, raped and used until they either die or are no longer useful at which point they are killed and thrown away. Most of them are kept in line with lies that threaten members of their families. Some of them are sold by their OWN families.
Human trafficking is a real issue. It happens. Every single day. The people perpetrating these crimes are often never prosecuted, and a lot of the men who buy these women or use their 'services' either don't care or don't know that they are dealing with an unwilling victim.
These are not prostitutes. These are unwilling participants. Every time they are forced to have sex, it is rape.
Imagine this was your sister, your daughter.
Human trafficking is a despicable crime. It's a crime that must be wiped out. Get involved. SCTNow.org is an organization that strives to prevent Child Trafficking. Notforsalecampaign.org is another that works to stop this horrific crime against women and children.
Google 'stop human trafficking organizations'. Pick one. Pick a few. Get involved.
Keep your eyes open. If you see a situation where your alarm bells go off, speak up. These trafficking rings extend beyond the seedy underbellies. Middle class and upper class, hell, even royalty is involved in this kind of stuff.
Have you seen Taken with Liam Neeson? Yep, that shit happens. Speak up. Get involved. Keep your eyes open.
Human Trafficking is a horrific crime. It must be stopped.
Elena is a poor young woman from a country in Eastern Europe, with a child and a mother, living on the edge of poverty. They struggle. They dream of a better life. Elena's husband and father are dead, leaving the women vulnerable.
Elena's friend tells her about an opportunity in Italy, for work and money, and the two women make plans together to leave, find work, get established and then bring Elena's mother and daughter over as well.
What Elena doesn't know is that her friend is a deceitful bitch, and part of a human trafficking ring. Of course, Elena doesn't find this out until she's already in too deep, captured, bound and drugged, on her way to Italy.
She finds herself in a brothel in Milan, where she is forced to work every day for 12 hours, servicing the men that come and pay to have sex.
She tries to escape but fails. Beatings and rape are her punishment until she is sold to Paul who runs a massage parlor in London.
Again, Elena is smuggled across the borders with a false passport and forced to work for Paul. She never sees any money for what she has to endure at the hands of the many men, she's given little food and she's kept in line by being threatened with the life of her daughter.
Just as she is about to give up hope, she meets Jamie, a widower who treats her like a person instead of an object and who slowly gains her trust, to the point where she tells him what is going on. Together, they makes plans to free Elena from her captors.
I don't want to give away all the details - you should read this short book for yourself. What I can tell you though is that despite the raw style (it's a diary after all), the subject matter is horrific enough to make you angry and cry. This is a young woman who was lied to, stolen from her life, raped, beaten, forced to service men in any way they chose and treated like an object, like a thing. She was not given a choice. She was told that unless she complied her daughter would die. Or be raped as well. Or sold into slavery.
Elena's story has a happy ending, of sorts. She does manage to get out of the situation, but that is not the norm for these girls. Most of them have no hope of ever getting out. Most of them are sold repeatedly, raped and used until they either die or are no longer useful at which point they are killed and thrown away. Most of them are kept in line with lies that threaten members of their families. Some of them are sold by their OWN families.
Human trafficking is a real issue. It happens. Every single day. The people perpetrating these crimes are often never prosecuted, and a lot of the men who buy these women or use their 'services' either don't care or don't know that they are dealing with an unwilling victim.
These are not prostitutes. These are unwilling participants. Every time they are forced to have sex, it is rape.
Imagine this was your sister, your daughter.
Human trafficking is a despicable crime. It's a crime that must be wiped out. Get involved. SCTNow.org is an organization that strives to prevent Child Trafficking. Notforsalecampaign.org is another that works to stop this horrific crime against women and children.
Google 'stop human trafficking organizations'. Pick one. Pick a few. Get involved.
Keep your eyes open. If you see a situation where your alarm bells go off, speak up. These trafficking rings extend beyond the seedy underbellies. Middle class and upper class, hell, even royalty is involved in this kind of stuff.
Have you seen Taken with Liam Neeson? Yep, that shit happens. Speak up. Get involved. Keep your eyes open.
Human Trafficking is a horrific crime. It must be stopped.
January 17, 2016
I am still debating whether I should put this under my "inspiring" shelf.
Trafficked: The Diary of a Sex Slave is a gripping story. I read this almost 2-3 years ago and I was still haunted by it. This is the book that really opened my eyes about the evil that human beings are capable of.
I'm not going to go into the technical stuffs about this book. This book was not written to entertain you. This was written to bring awareness. The thing about this book is that it gives the reader a faint feeling of what the victims feel. I would say faint because the horror that I feel while reading this book is nothing compared to the horrors that they are experiencing (or experienced).
The part that really struck me was how the author tweaks your emotions. There was this time that I stopped believing the heroine would be saved because that's how these people works. They manipulate your feelings and makes you feel that escape is no longer possible. You're stuck forever, You lose hope. And I believed it, along with the heroine in this story.
If I feel that way and I'm just a person reading this book in the comforts of my home, how much more does it affect the men and women who are experiencing this nightmare?
Please be aware.
September 25, 2017
I first acquired this book to read because I thought it was non-fiction. It is not. Truthfully there is nothing in it's description to make one believe it is anything but a memoir. Looking at some of the reviews, I see I am not alone on this little point.
Anyway, I also did not find this horrific in it's descriptive nature, honestly I think this could have been much more graphic, in some respects needed to be because of the message the author is trying to promote. Upsetting sure, and I do think the author's purpose has definitely been conveyed here, judging from other's reactions to the knowledge that this does exist, does happen and does need to be addressed in a much more vigilant manner.
I am not here to make a political statement though.
This is well written, with incredibly good intention and the author should be applauded for the effort shown in support of something most turn a blind eye towards.
Anyway, I also did not find this horrific in it's descriptive nature, honestly I think this could have been much more graphic, in some respects needed to be because of the message the author is trying to promote. Upsetting sure, and I do think the author's purpose has definitely been conveyed here, judging from other's reactions to the knowledge that this does exist, does happen and does need to be addressed in a much more vigilant manner.
I am not here to make a political statement though.
This is well written, with incredibly good intention and the author should be applauded for the effort shown in support of something most turn a blind eye towards.
October 21, 2011
It's hard to say a book with this subject matter was amazing but the story was so moving. This story was very real and very emotional, you feel like you are Elana, and you feel her pain. Books with this subject matter I feel can touch a lot of people because this type of stuff really does happen, and it's horribly sad that it does and that women/girls/boys have to live this life.
This is a book I feel everyone should read, to understand the crime of trafficking and how easy it can be for anyone to be trafficked. Anyway, onto the book. I really loved how this was written, it didn't feel like a book at all. It truly read as this poor woman's diary. And every day she wrote, you could imagine in your mind the kind of hell that she was going through. Every beating, rape, moment in her life, you could visualize it, and you felt it with Elana.
True story or not, this novella was amazing. It was real, and brutal and very impactful. It's graphic without being too graphic and really paints a picture of this real life issue. Sex Slavery (Trafficking) needs to be stopped.
This is a book I feel everyone should read, to understand the crime of trafficking and how easy it can be for anyone to be trafficked. Anyway, onto the book. I really loved how this was written, it didn't feel like a book at all. It truly read as this poor woman's diary. And every day she wrote, you could imagine in your mind the kind of hell that she was going through. Every beating, rape, moment in her life, you could visualize it, and you felt it with Elana.
True story or not, this novella was amazing. It was real, and brutal and very impactful. It's graphic without being too graphic and really paints a picture of this real life issue. Sex Slavery (Trafficking) needs to be stopped.
April 8, 2015
3.5 stars. Horrific story about a realistic problem. The fact that this stuff actually does exist makes these stories a little bit harder to read. It is so hard to fathom what it would be like to experience this kind of torture. This was well written in diary format. There aren't really very many graphic details, but you definitely get a sense of what happened.
August 10, 2011
I first discovered Sibel as a chick-lit author and was amazed by her writing.
This was a heart-wrenching read told from a Sex worker's POV and in diary format. It's an exceptional read and has highlighted a vile trade.
I take my hat off to you, Sibel on an amazing job well done.
Mel
This was a heart-wrenching read told from a Sex worker's POV and in diary format. It's an exceptional read and has highlighted a vile trade.
I take my hat off to you, Sibel on an amazing job well done.
Mel
November 30, 2011
By: Sibel Hodge
Reviewed By: Crystal Trent Dotson
Elena is a twenty two year old widow with a four year old daughter,that are trying to make it in the world. Her best friend tells her of a job in Italy that pays well, when Elena decides to take it and leave for Italy, she is hit with a hard terror, after being blindfolded and drugged,she realises she is now a sex slave. Being raped and beaten by her owners and by the men who pay for her, she feels completely dead inside. When a failed escape gets her bought by another man, she tries to gain his trust, and after her initiation into the "Millionaires" club, she has some hope that one of the men will help her find her daughter and get her away from this life.
This is a story that really grabs you and hits you with reality. Sex Slavery and Trafficking is such a horrible crime, yet it is going on everyday and I hope this story will bring more attention to it and make others aware of this awful reality.
Reviewed By: Crystal Trent Dotson
Elena is a twenty two year old widow with a four year old daughter,that are trying to make it in the world. Her best friend tells her of a job in Italy that pays well, when Elena decides to take it and leave for Italy, she is hit with a hard terror, after being blindfolded and drugged,she realises she is now a sex slave. Being raped and beaten by her owners and by the men who pay for her, she feels completely dead inside. When a failed escape gets her bought by another man, she tries to gain his trust, and after her initiation into the "Millionaires" club, she has some hope that one of the men will help her find her daughter and get her away from this life.
This is a story that really grabs you and hits you with reality. Sex Slavery and Trafficking is such a horrible crime, yet it is going on everyday and I hope this story will bring more attention to it and make others aware of this awful reality.
November 27, 2019
I was expecting a true story from someone that escaped sex trafficking. It’s only 85 pages or so. And it’s fictional. Not very well written either
April 17, 2020
A good read , and gives you the other side of the story.
July 2, 2024
GUYS I NEED TO STOP PUTTING MYSELF THROUGH THESE BOOKS 😭😭
But omg poor Elena
But omg poor Elena
October 15, 2011
Trafficked: The Diary of a Sex Slave is the fictional account of a young woman who is kidnapped and sold to a brothel as a sex slave. The book starts with day one of her ordeal.
It is, as promised, gritty and gripping. The author does a good job of building a picture of what the main character is going through without being graphic. She provides vivid details of the surroundings and the injuries that the main character endures while using blunt words such as “rape” to paint the picture of what is happening to her, without having to say exactly what it is. It makes for a difficult read, but one that allows the reader to still continue turning page after difficult page.
One thing that is quite unusual about the book, however, is the lack of a well-developed character. The reader does not even find out the woman’s name until almost half-way through the book. Don’t misunderstand–the reader is still able to feel sorry for the young woman and feel hope and many other emotions for her. However–perhaps due to the fact that the character is dealing with a loss of self–there is only one thing that we know about the main character: she is a mother who loves and misses her young daughter very much.
This book is a quick read; a true page turner, despite its heavy subject matter. It would be a good book for anyone who is unafraid to face the worst of humanity in order to discover the strengths of humanity. This is one main character who never leaves hope, and that is a truly inspiring thing.
http://hampton-networks.com/book-revi...
It is, as promised, gritty and gripping. The author does a good job of building a picture of what the main character is going through without being graphic. She provides vivid details of the surroundings and the injuries that the main character endures while using blunt words such as “rape” to paint the picture of what is happening to her, without having to say exactly what it is. It makes for a difficult read, but one that allows the reader to still continue turning page after difficult page.
One thing that is quite unusual about the book, however, is the lack of a well-developed character. The reader does not even find out the woman’s name until almost half-way through the book. Don’t misunderstand–the reader is still able to feel sorry for the young woman and feel hope and many other emotions for her. However–perhaps due to the fact that the character is dealing with a loss of self–there is only one thing that we know about the main character: she is a mother who loves and misses her young daughter very much.
This book is a quick read; a true page turner, despite its heavy subject matter. It would be a good book for anyone who is unafraid to face the worst of humanity in order to discover the strengths of humanity. This is one main character who never leaves hope, and that is a truly inspiring thing.
http://hampton-networks.com/book-revi...
August 31, 2011
3.5 Stars!
Book Summary: My name is Elena and I used to be a human being. Now I am a sex slave.
If you are reading this diary then I am either dead or I have managed to escape…
****
Trafficked: The Diary of a Sex Slave is a gritty, gripping, and tear-jerking novella, inspired by real victims’ accounts and research into the sex trafficking underworld.
It is estimated that 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders every year – 80% of these are women and girls. (Source: U.S. Department of State, Trafficking in Persons Report: 2007)
This is a heart wrenching story of a young girl named Elena who is kidnapped by sex slavers. It is brutal and horrifying. Elena tells her story through a diary she hides from her captors. Her hopelessness, fear and agony are very real. Although the story is very short, it packs a punch. As stated in the book summary, sex trafficking is a very real crime, a hideous business that profits from the destruction of young men and women all over the world. Sibel Hodge has done a very good job giving us facts in a story setting without sensationalism.
Like many of the injustices committed all over the world, the practice of sex trafficking is usually hidden in the underworld of crime but needs more light shed on it before it can be stopped.
Book Summary: My name is Elena and I used to be a human being. Now I am a sex slave.
If you are reading this diary then I am either dead or I have managed to escape…
****
Trafficked: The Diary of a Sex Slave is a gritty, gripping, and tear-jerking novella, inspired by real victims’ accounts and research into the sex trafficking underworld.
It is estimated that 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders every year – 80% of these are women and girls. (Source: U.S. Department of State, Trafficking in Persons Report: 2007)
This is a heart wrenching story of a young girl named Elena who is kidnapped by sex slavers. It is brutal and horrifying. Elena tells her story through a diary she hides from her captors. Her hopelessness, fear and agony are very real. Although the story is very short, it packs a punch. As stated in the book summary, sex trafficking is a very real crime, a hideous business that profits from the destruction of young men and women all over the world. Sibel Hodge has done a very good job giving us facts in a story setting without sensationalism.
Like many of the injustices committed all over the world, the practice of sex trafficking is usually hidden in the underworld of crime but needs more light shed on it before it can be stopped.
October 11, 2011
This is the story of a young woman who, promised the job of a lifetime, ends up being trafficked to Italy and being sold as a sex slave. It is written in diary form and tells of her life therein and what happens to her.
First off, may I issue a warning? This story is utterly heartbreaking. Some of the things that happen to Elena are truly horrific but somehow she never quite loses hope that she will be reunited with her daughter again. Being written in diary form I could see her in my head and I truly felt the things she was going through. I am not ashamed to admit I was in tears in places.
This is somewhat of a departure for this author as she is best known for her chick-lit novels. All I can say is 'Well done Sibel. This is an amazing novella and the jump from chick-lit to serious has been made successfully!'
I urge everyone to read this so more people are aware of this terrible trade in human lives. It must be stopped and can only be stopped if more are aware that it is going on. Well done, and thank you Sibel for opening my eyes.
First off, may I issue a warning? This story is utterly heartbreaking. Some of the things that happen to Elena are truly horrific but somehow she never quite loses hope that she will be reunited with her daughter again. Being written in diary form I could see her in my head and I truly felt the things she was going through. I am not ashamed to admit I was in tears in places.
This is somewhat of a departure for this author as she is best known for her chick-lit novels. All I can say is 'Well done Sibel. This is an amazing novella and the jump from chick-lit to serious has been made successfully!'
I urge everyone to read this so more people are aware of this terrible trade in human lives. It must be stopped and can only be stopped if more are aware that it is going on. Well done, and thank you Sibel for opening my eyes.
September 20, 2011
I started this book planning to read a few pages before I went to bed then finish it up the next day because it was a fairly short read. That was a horrible idea because I could not put it down. =)
The story is written in a diary format and is Fiction but it could so easily have been a true story and one that really needs to be told more often. It made me sick to my stomach at parts and wanted to cry at others but I really enjoyed the story and really feel that it makes a good point and more needs to be done to help these women.
The only complaint I had about the book is that I really wish it was longer because I sort of felt like the ending was a tiny bit rushed but the overall book was excellent.
The story is written in a diary format and is Fiction but it could so easily have been a true story and one that really needs to be told more often. It made me sick to my stomach at parts and wanted to cry at others but I really enjoyed the story and really feel that it makes a good point and more needs to be done to help these women.
The only complaint I had about the book is that I really wish it was longer because I sort of felt like the ending was a tiny bit rushed but the overall book was excellent.
September 13, 2013
$2.99
This is chilling, gritty and heartbreaking because it is true. Perhaps this particular story isn't, but the author saw a miniseries about girls from Eastern Europe being trafficked. She drew from their stories to bring attention to the plight of the 800,000 men, women, and children being trafficked across borders every year. She doesn't go into explicit detail and gratuitous violence but it's there. How anybody could ever live through something like this is beyond my imagination, let alone how people can DO these things to another human being is even more unconscionable.
This is chilling, gritty and heartbreaking because it is true. Perhaps this particular story isn't, but the author saw a miniseries about girls from Eastern Europe being trafficked. She drew from their stories to bring attention to the plight of the 800,000 men, women, and children being trafficked across borders every year. She doesn't go into explicit detail and gratuitous violence but it's there. How anybody could ever live through something like this is beyond my imagination, let alone how people can DO these things to another human being is even more unconscionable.
August 23, 2011
Trafficked is a compelling piece of fiction. Written in the form of a diary/memoir, Elena takes us with her as she's kidnapped and sold as a sex slave. Sibel Hodge does an excellent job of balancing the entertainment of fiction with the truth of this all too horrifying black market industry. Hundreds of thousands of woman and children are being bought and sold all over the world each year. I commend Hodge for stepping into this dark territory and shining a much needed spotlight.
January 16, 2012
I didn't know this was a short story. It was so anxious to know what was going to happen to Elena that I didn't realize it was the end. I've read one other book by Hodge and it was a different genre and style. The nature was not as heavy as this book but I think she did an amazing job capturing Elena's emotions and experiences. There are scenes that I had to cringe when I read them but I think they were necessary to make the readers feel something.
September 3, 2011
Heart wrenching story that can chill to the bone! Horror that although fictionally written, is actually really happening every day!
January 6, 2020
Interesting story
I read this book in one sitting. It was quite interesting. There were a couple of holes for me. Where did she get her diary? How was she able to bring it with her from place to place when she is stripped of all possessions, searched, and raped on a regular basis? How was she able to write entries right after drinking drugged water or while other events were happening? There is a certain rawness and authenticity missing that I suspect would only come from an actual journal of a real victim. The story here feels like someone retelling it after hearing about someone else’s experience. I agree with the author that this is a story that needs to be told. I don’t fault her for not being able to write it from first hand experience, of course! I enjoy journal memoirs. This is similar, but fictional and less piercing. If you want a heavy story to read in under 2 hours, this may be a good fit for you. Just bring a willingness to gloss over the issues with her being able to maintain a diary and how she could have written some of the entries under her circumstances.
I read this book in one sitting. It was quite interesting. There were a couple of holes for me. Where did she get her diary? How was she able to bring it with her from place to place when she is stripped of all possessions, searched, and raped on a regular basis? How was she able to write entries right after drinking drugged water or while other events were happening? There is a certain rawness and authenticity missing that I suspect would only come from an actual journal of a real victim. The story here feels like someone retelling it after hearing about someone else’s experience. I agree with the author that this is a story that needs to be told. I don’t fault her for not being able to write it from first hand experience, of course! I enjoy journal memoirs. This is similar, but fictional and less piercing. If you want a heavy story to read in under 2 hours, this may be a good fit for you. Just bring a willingness to gloss over the issues with her being able to maintain a diary and how she could have written some of the entries under her circumstances.
July 15, 2019
Whoa! Although this particular tale is fictitious, I feel that this is exactly how many of the trafficked persons feel. The narration was tough to read at times because it's such a nasty subject, but it was well written and allowed you to "feel" what the protagonist was feeling.
***SPOILER ALERT***
I found myself struggling with the scene depicted where they were in the brothel and the uniformed police officers arrived and our girl drops to her knees thinking "We're saved" only to find out that they are patrons and are going to "buy" her next.
What bothered me the most is the fact that this is exactly how these sex rings get to keep going. I can't tell you how many stories I've read where the politician or the police were the ones who were not looking hard enough, looking the other way or actually engaging in this detestable behavior.
Stories like this highlight that corruption and hopefully will pave the way for some true reform to come in.
Thank you for your story, Sibel. And thank you for donating proceeds from your book to help people who have been freed from sex trafficking.
***SPOILER ALERT***
I found myself struggling with the scene depicted where they were in the brothel and the uniformed police officers arrived and our girl drops to her knees thinking "We're saved" only to find out that they are patrons and are going to "buy" her next.
What bothered me the most is the fact that this is exactly how these sex rings get to keep going. I can't tell you how many stories I've read where the politician or the police were the ones who were not looking hard enough, looking the other way or actually engaging in this detestable behavior.
Stories like this highlight that corruption and hopefully will pave the way for some true reform to come in.
Thank you for your story, Sibel. And thank you for donating proceeds from your book to help people who have been freed from sex trafficking.
December 28, 2022
This novella hits hard on a very tough subject. Told through diary entries, although a work of fiction, it gives a very real account of what this world must feel like. Although difficult subject matter, it is well worth the read
January 12, 2022
Good book- very intense. Just kinda short and not a lot of information but also kinda supposed to be like that because it’s a diary.
March 29, 2025
Wow. While I knew the trafficking stats, it's always hard to read a fiction novel about them. Hard to read but a well written novella.
April 26, 2025
Good insight into how easily this can happen.
February 21, 2021
This is one of those books that will change your life. It isn't easy to read, but it's based off of a true account and is positively harrowing. I can't recommend this enough. Although, I wouldn't say I enjoyed it, because that would be the wrong word altogether. But it is... big. I don't know what else to say.
November 28, 2017
Every one should read this as we are in denial about the sexual slave industry and how far reaching it is. We like to tell ourselves that this just happens in third world countries or this is on the decline ! If we open our eyes we can actually start to fight this! No person deserves this treatment and it is heartbreaking to know that this even happens !
January 28, 2017
So this is a book that has 98 pages and it is FICTIONAL. So I will at first not discuss the subject of the story but about the book itself. I am sorry for a very long review to come
This is a complete rip-off
I moved away from home in 2006 and I was obsessed with reading biographies and true-story books. There were one book, unfortunately I have forgotten the title and author, but it was a true story about a girl who trusted her friend to get her a job and instead she got sold as a sex slave. Recognize that? yeah that is the main plot in this so called book. Some event is changed a bit and some small parts is added to it and places are changed. Otherwise this is a very short resume of that book and that pissed me off. I do not like when authors takes a great book and in this case a very sad story and make it their own to make money! Sure 20% of the royalties is donated to two organisations who help sex slaves but it is still not right.
2. Language and grammar mistakes
When the book is as short as 98 pages you can think it would be easy to proofread it and make sure there is no grammar mistakes and no spelling mistakes. Obviously this book didnt do that. There is very awkward grammar used. For it to be fictional it is bad and for it to be “a diary” it is still bad.
There is numerous times the the author mixes “she” and “he” so it is really confusing and hard to understand who they mean or are thinking about. Also there is plenty of places where words are missing and cut out. When you see it as a rip off from another book, it is strange how copy and paste dont always work…
feeling and subject
3. Feeling in the book
So now we are into the subject and feeling part of the book and we start with the feeling. This book didnt make me feel anything more than annoyance toward the main character that I THINK is called Elena. I think her name is used ONCE in the end of the book. She is stupid and naive and discusses me. She say a few times she always see her daughter and thinks about her, even when she is being rapped and used. This is disgusting and if you read true story books, the girls say they do think about their families BUT when they are being used, they zoom out. They do not think about their children. It is wrong and horrible.
Beside me not liking this stupid character the book dont get me to feel anything. Normally realistic books and true feeling books try to get the reader to understand the horror by describing events and feelings but it is none of this in this book. It is mostly an inner monologue about how much she misses her daughter.
4. Subject
The subject of the book is horrible and I do not approve of it and I do want it to be written about, talked about and stopped. If a novel or a fictional book will help with that, then they should be written but I also feel the true feeling comes from reading biographies and true story books. This book do not give anything to the debate and to put the subject into the light, specially when you have read the true story… it is good that some profit is given to organisations that helps victims but I would rather give all the money straight to an organisation over buying this book.
So I think you already have figured out that I do not like this book and I wish I never bought it. The reviews off it where good but no, not a book worth buying. there are so many other great books bot fictional and true story books about this subjects that feels more real and make the subject real and something to discuss.
This is a complete rip-off
I moved away from home in 2006 and I was obsessed with reading biographies and true-story books. There were one book, unfortunately I have forgotten the title and author, but it was a true story about a girl who trusted her friend to get her a job and instead she got sold as a sex slave. Recognize that? yeah that is the main plot in this so called book. Some event is changed a bit and some small parts is added to it and places are changed. Otherwise this is a very short resume of that book and that pissed me off. I do not like when authors takes a great book and in this case a very sad story and make it their own to make money! Sure 20% of the royalties is donated to two organisations who help sex slaves but it is still not right.
2. Language and grammar mistakes
When the book is as short as 98 pages you can think it would be easy to proofread it and make sure there is no grammar mistakes and no spelling mistakes. Obviously this book didnt do that. There is very awkward grammar used. For it to be fictional it is bad and for it to be “a diary” it is still bad.
There is numerous times the the author mixes “she” and “he” so it is really confusing and hard to understand who they mean or are thinking about. Also there is plenty of places where words are missing and cut out. When you see it as a rip off from another book, it is strange how copy and paste dont always work…
feeling and subject
3. Feeling in the book
So now we are into the subject and feeling part of the book and we start with the feeling. This book didnt make me feel anything more than annoyance toward the main character that I THINK is called Elena. I think her name is used ONCE in the end of the book. She is stupid and naive and discusses me. She say a few times she always see her daughter and thinks about her, even when she is being rapped and used. This is disgusting and if you read true story books, the girls say they do think about their families BUT when they are being used, they zoom out. They do not think about their children. It is wrong and horrible.
Beside me not liking this stupid character the book dont get me to feel anything. Normally realistic books and true feeling books try to get the reader to understand the horror by describing events and feelings but it is none of this in this book. It is mostly an inner monologue about how much she misses her daughter.
4. Subject
The subject of the book is horrible and I do not approve of it and I do want it to be written about, talked about and stopped. If a novel or a fictional book will help with that, then they should be written but I also feel the true feeling comes from reading biographies and true story books. This book do not give anything to the debate and to put the subject into the light, specially when you have read the true story… it is good that some profit is given to organisations that helps victims but I would rather give all the money straight to an organisation over buying this book.
So I think you already have figured out that I do not like this book and I wish I never bought it. The reviews off it where good but no, not a book worth buying. there are so many other great books bot fictional and true story books about this subjects that feels more real and make the subject real and something to discuss.
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