Third Daughter: A Novel

In the late 19th century, Talia Carner's novel The Third Daughter depicts the sex trafficking of young Russian women to South America. Batya, a fourteen-year-old girl, is tricked and sold into a brothel in Buenos Aires, where she forms deep bonds with her "sisters" and some men. Through her courage and determination, she helps bring down the criminal network that has enslaved many young women and developed Buenos Aires into a major metropolis. The novel sheds light on a dark period of Jewish history and gives a voice to victims whose truth deserves to be told.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 432 pages
Publication date: 17 October 2019
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc

In her novel "The Third Daughter," Talia Carner delves into a lesser-known chapter of history, shedding light on the sex trafficking of young women from Russia to South America in the late 19th century. This meticulously researched and vividly portrayed tale is a powerful exploration of exploitation and empowerment that will leave readers shaken and inspired.

Set against the backdrop of a tumultuous time in Russian history, the story follows fourteen-year-old Batya, who, along with her family, flees from the pogroms to seek a better life in America. Batya's father, driven by desperation, arranges for her to marry a wealthy stranger who promises her a comfortable life and a passage to the United States.

Initial impressions of a fairytale life in America fade as Batya arrives in Buenos Aires, a vibrant and rapidly growing city where prostitution is both legal and deeply ingrained in the culture. She finds herself trapped in a brothel, one of thousands of women who have been tricked and sold into this life. Despite the harsh realities she faces, Batya forms deep bonds with her fellow "sisters" in the house and even with some of the men who work there.

Through her experiences, Batya learns to navigate the complex web of relationships and alliances within the brothel. She dreams of one day bringing her family to America, where they would be safe from the anti-Semitism that plagues Russia. As Batya becomes a skilled tango dancer, she is presented with an unexpected but dangerous opportunity to help bring down the criminal network that has enslaved so many young women and played a significant role in shaping Buenos Aires into a major metropolis.

"The Third Daughter" is a powerful story of resilience and courage in the face of danger. It sheds light on the lives of these women who were exploited and marginalized, and it celebrates their strength and determination in the face of adversity. Carner's writing is vivid and evocative, transporting readers to the bustling streets of Buenos Aires and the brothels that lurk behind the glamorous facade.

This novel is a must-read for anyone interested in history, women's rights, and the resilience of the human spirit. It is a testament to the power of storytelling and the ability of literature to shed light on the darker corners of our past and inspire us to work towards a better future.

Weight: 330g
Dimension: 204 x 137 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780062896889