Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Sold summary
Patricia McCormick
Brief summary
Sold by Patricia McCormick is a gripping novel that tells the story of a young girl named Lakshmi who is sold into prostitution. It sheds light on the harsh reality of human trafficking and the resilience of the human spirit.
Topics
Table of Contents
Sold
Summary of key ideas
Beginning of a Nightmare
In Sold by Patricia McCormick, we are introduced to Lakshmi, a thirteen-year-old girl living in a small village in Nepal. Her life is simple but happy, filled with the love of her mother and the joy of attending school. However, when a monsoon destroys their crops, her stepfather convinces her mother to send Lakshmi to the city to work as a maid and send money back home. Trusting him, Lakshmi embarks on a journey that will change her life forever.
Upon reaching the city, Lakshmi is taken to a brothel called 'Happiness House' instead of the promised job. She is devastated and confused, unable to comprehend the reality of her situation. She is then introduced to Mumtaz, the cruel and manipulative woman who runs the brothel. Mumtaz tells Lakshmi that she must work as a prostitute to pay off her family's debt, a debt she was unaware of, and that she is trapped in the brothel until then.
Life in the Brothel
As Lakshmi's days in the brothel begin, she is subjected to physical and emotional abuse. She is forced to wear revealing clothes, dance for customers, and endure their lewd comments and touches. She is also introduced to the harsh reality of the other girls' lives, some of whom have been there for years, resigned to their fate. Despite the horrors she faces, Lakshmi holds on to the hope of escaping and returning to her family.
During her time in the brothel, Lakshmi forms a bond with a few of the other girls, including a boy named Shahanna, who is also trapped in the brothel. They share their stories and dreams, providing each other with a glimmer of hope in their dark reality. Lakshmi also finds solace in writing letters to her friend from the village, expressing her longing for her old life and her desire to escape.
Escape and Redemption
One day, an American man named Mr. Harish visits the brothel, and Lakshmi is convinced that he is her ticket to freedom. She musters up the courage to ask him for help, but he dismisses her plea, leaving her devastated. However, Mr. Harish returns, and this time, he listens to Lakshmi's story. He promises to help her escape and bring her back home.
With Mr. Harish's assistance, Lakshmi manages to flee the brothel. She is taken to a shelter for girls who have been rescued from sex trafficking. Here, she begins the long and painful process of healing, both physically and emotionally. She also learns that her family was not aware of her situation and that her stepfather had lied to them about her whereabouts and well-being.
Hope and New Beginnings
In the shelter, Lakshmi receives the support and care she needs to rebuild her life. She attends school, receives counseling, and slowly starts to dream again. She also finds comfort in the letters she receives from her friend back in the village, who never gave up hope of seeing her again.
In the end, Sold leaves us with a message of resilience and hope. Despite the unimaginable horrors she faced, Lakshmi survives and begins to thrive. She is determined to educate herself and help other girls who have suffered similar fates. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the importance of never losing hope, no matter how dire the circumstances.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Sold about?
Sold by Patricia McCormick is a compelling novel that tells the story of Lakshmi, a young girl from Nepal who is sold into prostitution in India. Through beautiful and haunting prose, the book sheds light on the harsh realities faced by many young girls and women around the world. It is a powerful and important read that raises awareness about human trafficking and the strength of the human spirit.
Sold Review
Sold (2006) by Patricia McCormick is a powerful and important book that sheds light on the issue of human trafficking. Here's why it is worth reading:
- Offers a compelling portrayal of the protagonist's journey as she navigates the harrowing world of human trafficking, providing a nuanced understanding of the issue.
- McCormick's careful research and attention to detail lend authenticity to the story, immersing readers in the harsh realities faced by trafficking victims.
- The book's sensitively crafted narrative creates emotional depth, resonating with readers and highlighting the resilience of the human spirit.
Who should read Sold?
- Individuals seeking to understand the reality of human trafficking
- Activists and advocates working to combat modern slavery
- Readers who appreciate realistic and eye-opening storytelling
Categories with Sold
Book summaries like Sold
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
32 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Sold FAQs
What is the main message of Sold?
The main message of Sold is the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
How long does it take to read Sold?
The reading time for Sold varies depending on the reader, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Sold a good book? Is it worth reading?
Sold is a powerful and thought-provoking book that sheds light on the harrowing reality of human trafficking. It is definitely worth reading.
Who is the author of Sold?
The author of Sold is Patricia McCormick.
What to read after Sold?
If you're wondering what to read next after Sold, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Why Nations Fail by Daron Acemoglu & James A. Robinson
- The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama
- The Road to Serfdom by Friedrich August von Hayek
- Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser
- Manufacturing Consent by Edward S. Herman and Noam Chomsky
- No Logo by Naomi Klein
- The Bottom Billion by Paul Collier
- The Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein
- Brave New War by John Robb
- Man, the State and War by Kenneth N. Waltz