[Pre-publication] Praise From Published Authors
“In The Third Daughter, Talia Carner ably illuminates a little-known piece of history: the sex trafficking of young women from Russia to South America in the late 19th century. Thoroughly researched and vividly rendered, this is an important and unforgettable story of exploitation and empowerment that will leave you both shaken and inspired.”
—Pam Jenoff, NYT bestselling author of The Lost Girls of Paris
“Carner spirits us away to the late nineteenth century Buenos Aires with grace and beauty. Her characters move us—we learn to care about them—and her heroine, Batya/Esperanza is heartbreakingly brave…. Carner not only creates a happy ending—it is also a redemptive, noble, and very Jewish ending.”
—Phyllis Chesler, bestselling author of Women and Madness, Bride in Kabul, and others
“Rich with historical detail and evocative prose, The Third Daughter by Talia Carner fictionalizes the shocking true history of young Jewish girls who were trafficked into prostitution in Buenos Aires. Impeccably researched and beautifully written, this is an unforgettable story of strength and survival.”
–Jillian Cantor, USA Today bestselling author of In Another Time,
Independent Literary Reviewers:
New York Journal of Books
By Caitlin Hicks
“The character of Batya is a satisfying heroine, strong, resilient, brave, and vulnerable. The Third Daughter is a tribute to the women who endured, who killed themselves, who were brutalized, who escaped, who lived the horrors described therein. An important book!”
Newsday
By Marion Winik
“….a book that not only entertains with a suspenseful plot, but also enlightens and even disturbs…. a book that stays on [the readers’] mind days later…. Carner believes that the foundation of truth is a must in fiction. From the prostitutes’ cemetery to the tango competitions, all the lineaments of Batya’s story are real.”
Library Journal
By Susanne Lohkamp
“Inspired by her passion for justice for women worldwide, Carner (Jerusalem Maiden) tells the story of Batya, a Jewish German girl living in Eastern Europe during the time of Russian tsar… . Recommended for its complex characters and a story based on a little-known part of history. The author provides a glossary of Yiddish and Spanish words used and a list of resources for readers.”
The Jewish Book Council
By Sonia Taitz
“Carefully researched and meticulously novelized….Carner, the author of Jerusalem Maiden, is adept at illuminating the injustices that women, especially Jewish women, are subjected to…..The story would be grim but for the powerful Jewish reaction to this shameful era in history. Philanthropic plans are made to buy ranches that will house and employ new Jewish émigrés en masse. Batya herself fights at the forefront of shutting down the bordellos of Buenos Aires, and of leading her “sisters” to freedom. Indeed, the vivid inner life of Carner’s protagonist is one of the best aspects of the book. Brave, resourceful, loyal and fierce, Batya is a Jewish heroine who shines brightly in this dark story. Like a Shabbat candle, she casts both light and healing over a troubled era.”
BookList
By Monica Garza Bustillo
“Carner’s latest (after Hotel Moscow, 2015) is a well-researched historical tale that brings to light the horrors of legal prostitution in Buenos Aires at the end of the 1800s. …Powerful… The depictions of violence … paint a vivid picture and lend credit to the story.”
Jewish Book World
“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.”
Sojourners
By Juliet Vedral
“Compassion. Curiosity. Courage. They are on full display in Carner’s latest historical novel, The Third Daughter…. She compassionately and courageously enters this darkness with Batya and deftly leads the reader through the story….The Third Daughter not only humanizes Batya and the other girls, but challenges us to see the image of God in each of their stories. The result is a page-turner that will leave you so connected with Batya and her “sisters” that they will stay with you long after you are done.”
The Reporter Group
By Rabbi Rachel Esserman
“Carner does a wonderful job portraying Batya’s thoughts and feelings. Her naivety is convincing and shows how different her world is from ours with its limited means of communication and no way to warn those in Europe about the dangers these men posed. The prose of “The Third Daughter” is easy to read and the plot keeps the pages moving. The ending is not entirely convincing, but, by that point, I was ready for the novel to end on a positive note. Carner has done a service bringing light to this dark period of Jewish history.”
Hadassah Magazine
By Gloria Goldreich
“Seeking Jewish and Personal Redemption
….a complex historical fiction….a tale of Batya’s heroic determination to rescue her family from dire poverty and deadly pogroms….this fictional exploration of a little-known, ugly chapter of Jewish history is a valuable contribution to our understanding of a difficult era.”
Library Thing
“I loved this book! I predict it will be a bestseller. Wonderfully written historical fiction about a period in time unknown to me before I read this book….. Once I got started though, I couldn’t put it down. I was completely unaware of this part of history, but I loved learning about it (as well as googling parts of the book to find out more). Batya’s story was hearbreaking but riveting. I loved cheering for her – she was a fighter! I highly recommend this book.”
Just Reviews
By Fran Lewis
“Some endings are new beginnings, and some make you stronger. This ending will take your breath away…. Batya has character, strength and loyalties to those that deserve her trust, faith and support…. Author Talia Carner’s research allows readers to experience within the timeline of this historical novel based on real life events the truth behind the sex trafficking, the inner workings and conditions of the brothels and those who justified their actions and greed. Power, control, fear, slavery and anti- Semitism all are just some issues brought to light in this powerfully charged novel as Batya hopes to save her family.
Historical Novel Society
By Valerie Adolph
“Carner presents a very detailed look at the life of Jewish peasants in Russia and other European countries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Contrasted with this is the apparently opulent Buenos Aires with its vibrant cultural life and beautifully dressed women. Batya’s suffering takes many forms: deprivation, physical and sexual abuse, separation from loved ones, and rejection by her own people. Her survival is in question daily. The author portrays Batya’s suffering with empathy and a deep desire to tell the story of these brothel-slaves to the world.”
TBR News
Jeffrey Sanzel
“The Third Daughter is one of the most intriguing and riveting books published in the last year….. [It] is an epic work that is rooted in a deep sense of truth. While it deals with a cruel and terrifying chapter of history, the novel is also a celebration of the ability of great writing to transport and enlighten. It is a work of art, of craft, but, above all, humanity. “
BookTrib
By Jennifer Blankfein
“I was drawn in to the story and was fortunate enough to attend a book group discussion with the author present. The book explores a dark time in history for the Jews and it was wonderful to learn about it through the novel as well as from Talia Carner’s stories during our book talk. She is a wonderful speaker and often shares her knowledge at book groups and public events. I highly recommend reading her book and finding the opportunity to learn from her.”
Bloggers:
The Girly Book Club
“I love historical fiction books and this one had me hooked until the very last page! It is full of emotion and will break your heart for these women who were treated with such disregard. Carner’s storytelling ability was fantastic and you will feel like you are right in the middle of Buenos Aires wanting to help these women find a way out. . . . Overall this was a great yet heart-wrenching read and I’d highly recommend it.”
Reviews By Amos Lassen
“When a book is both enjoyable and educative, we feel so much better after reading and that describes how I am feeling right now having just closed the covers of The Third Daughter…. Carner has done wonderful research to bring us this important and unforgettable story of exploitation and empowerment….If you have ever wondered how one can find the courage to act, this is quite a read. We see courage in the face of danger and I, personally, felt great pride, when the women challenged the exiting order….Carner is an excellent story-teller who brings history and imagination together to fictionalize the true history of young Jewish girls who were forced into prostitution in Buenos Aires.”
Laura Loves To Read
“Do you ever read a blurb about a book and you just know you’re going to love it?… I love historical fiction for both transporting me to another time and place but also for teaching me parts of history I had no prior knowledge about. The Third Daughter was a beautifully written story about the Jewish girls who were taken and forced into prostitution during the 1800s and 1900s…. a beautifully woven story of Batya, a 14 year old girl who was enslaved. Her strength, will for survival, and resilience is what pulled me in and had me rooting for her the entire way. All the stars!!”
Gold In the Clouds
By Faith Turner
“It’s a very compelling and powerful story that brings out the images of being brave…of finding inner strength in the face of grave danger.
The emotion behind this writing is vibrant.
Every single character (and there are many) are so well developed and move along smoothly in the plot. Each introduction is like meeting either a new friend or a new enemy. You will cheer Batya and Rochel. You will weep with Nettie and Ullmann. You will rejoice and be sobered.
What a remarkable character is Batya’s (“working name” is Esperanza, hope in Spanish). I love that she has grace and dignity in a place where all of her dignity was robbed.
This book really resonated with me. I highly recommend it!”
Julz Reads
“Batya’s horrific story was well told; it was moving without being too sentimental or emotional and while it wasn’t overly graphic, it was still shocking. Despite the depressing subject, Carner captured the atmosphere of Buenos Aires, Batya’s despair and fortitude, and gave a voice to the thousands of women who were victims of the odious trade.”
Library In Progress
“The Third Daughter is an important historical fiction read…. This is Batya’s journey. A journey of immense suffering, yet a profound never-ending strength…. it’s important to know that part of history. To be aware of the sins that were committed in the past and to learn to be better human beings and to never take our freedom for granted. A tough but important read which I highly recommend.”
The Treasure Trove
“The Third Daughter opened my eyes and left a lasting impression….The images transport the reader into another time and place, be it the imaginings or the reality of the protaganist. The storyline compels the reader to continue, to learn about history through these characters.”
Doing Dewey Decimal
“As with the author’s previous book, Hotel Moscow, this was about a fascinating period in history. The author also did a great job incorporating Jewish traditions and Argentinian culture into the story. She used just the right amount of Yiddish and Spanish to enhance the setting, without obscuring meaning. This is also as gripping as her previous book…. I found myself wanting to know what would happen next. The book was well written and the main character was easy to admire…. I think a lot of people will love this story of a strong, inspiring girl.”
La Vie Est Books
“Thank you for putting this book into my hands….This story completely wrecked me and it won’t be one I forget anytime soon.
While difficult to read, it’s important to be educated on these stories, to honor victims, and to speak out and up for them. What’s the last book you’ve read that was difficult to swallow but you learned so much from it?”
Audio Killed The Bookmark
“Talia Carner has written a raw, heartbreaking, disturbing, and important story. One of the things I like most about historical fiction is it is an engaging and entertaining way to learn about our past…. Batya was such a sympathetic character my heart could not help but break for her. She was so strong, so determined, and so angry. I loved the bond she found with the other girls in the house and I admired how she never lost her desire to reunite with her family. She was also extremely resourceful, eventually finding love and even becoming a well-known tango dancer. This was such an important story about a determined girl and her relentless fight for a better life.”
Stepahnie’s Book Reviews
“The writing deftly portrays the horror as well as the hope in Batya’s story. It was obvious that the author delved into the research of this hidden history, from the way Batya was lured away from her family…to the rhythms, dances and food in Buenos Aires, everything was reflective of the experience of the women and the time period. I was very interested in how involved the Zwi Migdal was in Argentinian politics and culture…. I was amazed at Batya’s bravery…”
A Bookish Affair
“One of the things that I most love about historical fiction is the doors that it opens to events that I am not familiar with….This book is filled with wonderful characters, including our main character, Batya….The events in the book are pretty dark but I am so happy that there are books like this to shed light on some of the darker parts of our shared history. The detail in this book is great and really brings Batya’s and so many girls like her stories to life. While the story itself is really great, make sure you read the Author’s Note at the end where the author shares her inspiration for the story. Overall, this was a great book!”
Literary Quicksand
“It’s an unbelievable story that also happens to be based on real life. In that way, it was definitely an eye-opening read. I rooted for Batya and her sisters the whole way through and found myself unable to put the book down until I found out what happened in the end. I think this would be a remarkable book club read.”
New Books Network, Carolyn Pouncy
“Based on a series of stories by Sholem Aleichem….the basis for the popular musical Fiddler on the Roof, this fifth novel by a committed social activist… is an essential and compelling read, not least because although set in the late nineteenth century its story is as contemporary as yesterday’s headlines.”
Sveta Reads and Reviews
“… story was truly heartbreaking…I am happy that Talia Carner has broken the mold [of how others treat and judge prostitutes] with her tale….The character of Batya/ Esperanza is possibly the most heartbreaking I have ever come across. I also loved the details about Batya’s life in Russia… and how well Carner painted the characters…. The novel isn’t focused on romance, but instead on family that characters built.”
Mary Reads All About It
“The story is an interesting one, and sheds light on a little known period and piece of Jewish history. The character of Batya is well -developed, and I was captivated by her strength and optimism despite her circumstances.”
Smoke and Shadow Books
“…The reader is given a look into brothel life in Buenos Aires and the levels of corruption and contempt…
This is a fast paced read and a sure-fire recommendation for any reader who loves historical fiction.”
Baby Got Books
“Have you ever read something that shattered your heart, but you couldn’t put down? That was the Third Daughter for me…. I feel it’s important for everyone to read it. This book is about the survival and strength of one girl will do anything to save her family from poverty. It was completely different than anything else I’ve read and is based on true events, which makes this even more shocking.”
Caprichos Books
“The author did a great job with the protagonist….. There are graphic scenes that allow the reader to understand the intensity of what these girls endured, but these add to the story and provide authenticity to what was occurring…. … an eye-opener. It’s a great story of perseverance and highly recommended for lovers of historical fiction.”
