Any Girl

A Memoir of Sexual Exploitation and Recovery

By: Mia Döring

Narrated by: Mia Döring

Length: 6 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

A radically honest account of surviving sexual exploitation in the Irish sex trade, in a psychotherapist's literary debut of past trauma and the integration of lives past and present.

It became untenable for me to remain silent about a part of my life I had long kept secret. I had to follow the persistent, uncomfortable pull of truth, wherever it would lead me.

From the outside looking in, the young life of Mia Döring seemed unremarkable, as she pursued her studies at a prominent Dublin art college, immersed in a vibrant social scene.

Unbeknownst to those around her, however, Mia's life was anything but ordinary. At age 16, she had been sexually exploited by an older man, which carved a direct path into the Irish sex trade, where she remained for several years until finally leaving it behind over a decade ago, at age 24.

In her literary memoir, Mia, a psychotherapist specialising in sexual trauma, excavates her difficult history as she sets about integrating her past with her present-day life. Along the way, she presents an ardent and intelligent refutation of a culture that affirms and applauds the industrialised sexual violation of women and girls, ultimately offering something more precious - a way forward for society bedded in true understanding and compassion.

Any Girl is a ferociously honest, intensely tender and utterly unforgettable book that is as thought-provoking as it is timely.

©2022 Mia Döring (P)2022 Hachette Books Ireland

Heartbreaking & healing.

Thank you, Mia, for writing this book. We need more women to expose the porn/modeling/prostitution world for what it is. In solidarity. 💞

Powerful

This is a powerful memoir about recovering from trauma and violence against women. The only issue I had was as the author is narrating she would make loud, wet mouth sounds.

Heavy lifting, worth the effort

This is an incredibly important and difficult book. It is well written, eye-opening, and deeply disturbing. Mia Döring details her experience as a sex worker with unflinching clarity. The details are explicit without being prurient. She narrates in a clear, calm voice that belies the horror of her experience. I applaud her courage in writing this account.

I had to listen to this book in short segments because I was overwhelmed with grief on Mia’s behalf, and for all women ensnared in similar situations. Nonetheless, I’m glad I listened to this book; I would encourage anyone to listen or read, and be prepared to do some emotional heavy lifting.