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The Locket and A Five Taka Note
Apart from his clothes, the only possessions Abdul Mkith brought to London, was a locket and a five taka note.When he was ten years old, Abdul fled persecution in his own country, and was taken to stay with so-called family friends, already UK citizens, to where he believed he would be safe. But he was sold into slavery by the people he trusted. Abdul was rescued during a drug raid in a small Scottish village.He now claims that intervention saved his life, and his wonderful foster parents made him whole again.Then began the search for his real parents whom he believed were dead.This is the true story of what is happening in the UK today.
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First published May 12, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 17, 2017
An incredible true story, a triumph to have been formed into a narrative. It takes an exception kind of bravery to publish a story of personal trauma, mental illness, and one's victimisation by child trafficking circles in the UK and Scotland, but Abdul does just that to offer a crucial perspective on these experiences.
The book itself is a heartbreaking read, expansive and detailed about the experiences Abdul suffered and how he was able to escape violence, intimidation, and exploitation as an illegal immigrant to the UK. For a narrative of trauma, the text is very well formed and has been rendered coherent and readable by Catherine Byrne, a writer who I've heard worked with Abdul to tell his story in his own words.
The narrative chronologically follows his experience with criminal gangs in Bangladesh to child trafficking and drugs rings in the UK. Abdul and Byrne's intention, by means of graphically representing fearful and damaging experiences of manipulation, is to provide testimony to this kind of suffering, and offer testimonial insight to their readers. Abdul's narrative holds the eponymous talismans of a locket and a five taka note close to his heart, as we bear witness to his violently fraught experience.
In terms of a content warning, I would advise that the book deals with the themes of personal trauma - particularly recurrent nightmares and symbolism - child trafficking, paedophilia, racism and derogatory racist language. I know of Abdul myself, as he now lives in the far north of Scotland in my local area, which further emphasised the reality of this narrative and how such atrocities can happen in the shadow of even the familiar and everyday. But Abdul's narrative, transcribed and written by Byrne, shows a sensitive and deeply empathic Bangladeshi boy and depicts the extremities of human cruelty and anguish.
The book itself is a heartbreaking read, expansive and detailed about the experiences Abdul suffered and how he was able to escape violence, intimidation, and exploitation as an illegal immigrant to the UK. For a narrative of trauma, the text is very well formed and has been rendered coherent and readable by Catherine Byrne, a writer who I've heard worked with Abdul to tell his story in his own words.
The narrative chronologically follows his experience with criminal gangs in Bangladesh to child trafficking and drugs rings in the UK. Abdul and Byrne's intention, by means of graphically representing fearful and damaging experiences of manipulation, is to provide testimony to this kind of suffering, and offer testimonial insight to their readers. Abdul's narrative holds the eponymous talismans of a locket and a five taka note close to his heart, as we bear witness to his violently fraught experience.
In terms of a content warning, I would advise that the book deals with the themes of personal trauma - particularly recurrent nightmares and symbolism - child trafficking, paedophilia, racism and derogatory racist language. I know of Abdul myself, as he now lives in the far north of Scotland in my local area, which further emphasised the reality of this narrative and how such atrocities can happen in the shadow of even the familiar and everyday. But Abdul's narrative, transcribed and written by Byrne, shows a sensitive and deeply empathic Bangladeshi boy and depicts the extremities of human cruelty and anguish.
July 1, 2023
This is an incredible true story, be aware thought that it is a tough read; in that it creates pictures in your mind that will stay with you. Some horrific things happen to this poor young boy. I can’t say I enjoyed it, but once committed I had to finish the book to know what happened to him.
August 3, 2023
Excellent book. Hard to read though. It's unthinkable the life Abdul had to endure when he was a child.
March 30, 2024
#the52bookclub24 #12 #title starts with ‘L’ #L
It’s one of those that you know you won’t forget, and I recommend it with a heavy heart and with much warning. It’s so awful all that Abdul experienced and what bravery to tell his story. I only wish he didn’t have to, and that no stories like this had to be told. There is a lot of evil out there that continues to treat people horrifically.
It’s one of those that you know you won’t forget, and I recommend it with a heavy heart and with much warning. It’s so awful all that Abdul experienced and what bravery to tell his story. I only wish he didn’t have to, and that no stories like this had to be told. There is a lot of evil out there that continues to treat people horrifically.
February 15, 2025
Doesn't make easy reading at times. A sad reflection of the life some have found in UK and Scotland, and my home town...
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews