The Third Daughter

A Novel

De: Talia Carner

Narrado por: Saskia Maarleveld

From the author of Jerusalem Maiden comes a remarkable story, inspired by little-known true events, about the thousands of young Jewish women who were trafficked into prostitution at the turn of the 20th century, and whose subjugation helped build Buenos Aires.

The turn of the 20th century finds 14-year-old Batya in the Russian countryside, fleeing with her family endless pogroms. Desperate, her father leaps at the opportunity to marry Batya to a worldly, wealthy stranger who can guarantee his daughter an easy life and passage to America.

Feeling like a princess in a fairytale, Batya leaves her old life behind as she is whisked away to a new world. But soon, she discovers that she’s entered a waking nightmare. Her new “husband” does indeed bring her to America: Buenos Aires, a vibrant, growing city in which prostitution is not only legal but deeply embedded in the culture. And now Batya is one of thousands of women tricked and sold into a brothel.

As the years pass, Batya forms deep bonds with her “sisters” in the house as well as some men who are both kind and cruel. Through it all, she holds onto one dream: to bring her family to America, where they will be safe from the anti-Semitism that plagues Russia. Just as Batya is becoming a known tango dancer, she gets an unexpected but dangerous opportunity - to help bring down the criminal network that has enslaved so many young women and has been instrumental in developing Buenos Aires into a major metropolis.

A powerful story of finding courage in the face of danger, and hope in the face of despair, The Third Daughter brings to life a dark period of Jewish history and gives a voice to victims whose truth deserves to finally be told.

©2019 Talia Carner (P)2019 HarperAudio

By far my favorite book of this year.

This book was inspiring, sad, and informative about history. It kept moving. I didn’t want it to finish.

excellent

very disturbing in some parts, so it could certainly trigger some people. very unique perspective of being Jewish & the consequences of that when pit in a compromising situation. this book has a very unique perspective of a religion I don't completely understand.

Heartbreaking yet Inspirational

This book was absolutely heartbreaking. I also learned about late 1800 Jewish history that I was completely unaware of. It was surprising to learn about this dirty little Secret in history. The main character is an inspiration to all Jewish women.

Great historical novel

While the topic is a harsh one I really enjoyed this historical novel. The author brought to life a reality and a place at a time of development which little is written about. She did it an empathic and well researched manner.

Very interesting and moving historical fiction.

Really enjoyed learning about Jewish hardships in Argentina. I never knew about the kidnapping and abuse of young Jewish girls who were then forced into prostitution by their pimps. Another sad chapter in Jewish history that we should not forget.

Bitterly tragic, yet uplifting

What happened to victims of the White Slave Trade is unimaginable, yet it was good to see glimpses of growth, kindness and compassion. There were some mispronunciations, so the performance, while generally excellent distracted me at times

brilliant novel based on shocking truth

In a documentary, I saw a haunting clip of poor Jewish girls in the shtetl in bridal gowns being hoisted onto ships bound for foreign ports to be sold into white slavery. This carefully researched novel tells the story of how this happened to one 14 year old from Poland. unforgettable.

Wonderful book

enjoyed listening to this book. It tells you about the great suffering of the Jewish people. And about Batya a teenager who goes through so much pain and hardship. I was so engrossed listening to it that I felt I was part of the story it was like watching a movie. Hope I can listen to more such stories in the future. Just wonderful.

A serious subject given a tea cake makeover

The subject of Zwi Migdal (also known as Undzer Shitk, I’m told) is one seldom broached and less acknowledged but one that is deserving of serious study and analysis.
This book tells the story of one of its victims with a very light brush giving a watercolour vision of what must have been a living hell for those involved. It’s a well written romance novel that uses a horrible setting involving persecution of Jews byJews. 10/10 to the writer for broaching the subject. The weakness is not lack of talent. The Story is well read and one hopes that it might inspire others to look more deeply into this horrible period.

An explicit story about Sex slavery in the1800’s

I found this a very thoughtful story about Jewish merchants lying and deceiving other. They use various schemes to steal women into slavery from poor Jewish communities and ship them to Argentina into prostitution. Prostitution is legal and thriving in Argentina. The story is well pace, the characters are well developed and the story is interesting.