The Third Daughter

A Novel

By: Talia Carner

Narrated by: 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 fourteen-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.

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.

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

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.