I recently read the debut novel of Corban Addison “A Walk Across the Sun” (9781402792809), and to be honest the reason I picked it up was because of the cover. India has always intrigued me, and after hearing this novel takes place in India I was sold. The book centers on the theme of human traffickers and the children they abduct and sell into sexual slavery. (Pretty heavy topic, with some descriptive details about how the young girls are beaten, just be aware.)

The book spans three continents, and two-story lines are taking place simultaneously and eventually merge into the main story. You meet two Indian sisters, Ahalya & Sita, whose home was destroyed by the tsunami. During their trek to reach the Catholic school they attend, several towns from their own, they are kidnapped and taken to the red light district of Mumbai. Half a world away, Thomas Clarke is reeling from a traumatic event (don’t want to give any huge spoilers away!) of his own; which is starting to affect his work as a high-profile lawyer. When his law firm ‘suggests’ he take time off, and offers to pay him for a year while working for a NGO, he takes a position in India; and thus a wonderful, heart breaking tale is told.

Addison is a lawyer, and a staunch supporter of ending modern slavery. In fact, I was so moved by this story that after I finished it I looked into one of the organizations he supports. International Justice Mission is one of the largest organizations dedicated to ending slavery. (Check them out here.) After finishing this novel, I realized humanity has an extreme dark side, but I still have hope because of people who devoted their time to stopping these practices & making others aware of what is happening. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I do! Happy Reading!

Teresa