The Blue Notebook

Subtitle: James Levine is a Rat Bastard who ruined my entire day

I sometimes pimp out my services, occasionally reviewing books- no, not the ones here on this site but for an up-and-coming book review site under a pen name. They often send books I wouldn't choose for myself. I usually don't cross over and write about those same books here. Which is why I haven't posted here in a while. They sent 11 books to review this month, a mixture of romance, literature and an extremely odd book, Sex and Bacon. The reading isn't the issue believe it or not- the writing about the reading is tough sometimes. I have to sound intelligent and thoughtful, not blunt, as I am here.

Here I can say "this book sucked so badly, it made me wish for better times, like when I had my wisdom teeth pulled." Because you can handle it. In print I have to be polite- honest- but polite.

So onto to the rat bastard.....

James A. Levine, a professor for the Mayo clinic, traveled to Mumbai as a part of his research to interview the child prostitutes kept in cages in India. Facinated with one little girl who was writing in a notebook, he was inspired to write a tale of 15 year old Batuk. Batuk was sold into prostitution by her country father at age six.

James Levine writes from the perspective of Batuk and let me tell you, he holds nothing back. After reading this novel I don't even know if I ever have the desire to have sex ever, ever, ever, ever again, I'm so disgusted.

Look- it's brilliantly written. Oprah is probably adding it to her list as we speak. The book should win award after award and to James Levine's credit, he is donating all of the proceeds to organizations that help exploited children. Schindler's List has nothing on this book. I was so depressed after finishing it I could barely breath. To think of such atrocities going on in the world is heartbreaking and terrifying. Sure I feel incredibly lucky- I have a great life. But this book broke my heart in two. This is the most horrific, disgusting, depraved, sad thing I have ever read. Trauma Porn at it's finest.