39 pages • 1 hour read
Jennifer ClementPrayers for the Stolen
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2014A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Prayers for the Stolen by Jennifer Clement follows Ladydi Martinez, a young girl living in the Guerrero mountains of Mexico, where she and other girls hide to avoid being kidnapped by drug traffickers. Despite their efforts, her friend Paula is taken. After various hardships, Ladydi leaves the village to work as a nanny in Acapulco, but is falsely accused of murder and imprisoned. Sensitive topics include sex trafficking, drug violence, and incarceration.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Jennifer Clement's Prayers for the Stolen is lauded for its poignant portrayal of survival in a dangerous Mexican village, blending lyrical prose with raw themes. Some critics, however, find the narrative bleak and the pacing uneven. Nonetheless, its powerful storytelling and emotional depth make it a compelling read.
Who Should Read Prayers for the Stolen?
Readers who enjoy Prayers for the Stolen by Jennifer Clement appreciate gritty, poignant narratives focused on marginalized voices, particularly women in narco-violence-torn Mexico. Fans of The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende or The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henríquez will find this novel compelling.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
HL800LBook Details
Life/Time: Coming of Age
Identity: Gender
Emotions/Behavior: Courage
Latin American Literature
Coming of Age / Bildungsroman
Modern Classic Fiction
Trauma / Abuse / Violence
Women's Studies (Nonfiction)
Gender / Feminism