Unsold Virgin by Naveen Miriyala is a raw, unsettling, yet deeply humane story that dares to look straight at the uncomfortable truths society prefers to hide. At its heart is Prashna — a young girl thrust into the grim world of sex work, where the word “virgin” becomes both a weapon and a wound. Through her journey, Miriyala exposes the hypocrisy that defines how society measures a woman’s worth, purity, and dignity.
What makes this book remarkable is its restraint. Instead of dramatizing Prashna’s suffering, the author allows her emotions — her fleeting hopes, her quiet strength, and her shattered innocence — to speak for themselves. The writing is unembellished yet piercing, inviting the reader to pause and confront the uncomfortable questions it raises: What truly defines purity? Who decides its meaning? And why does a woman’s identity remain shackled to it?
Prashna’s story goes beyond the individual — it mirrors the lives of countless women silenced by circumstance and judged by society’s narrow morals. Her courage to reclaim her truth, even in the face of exploitation and despair, forms the emotional core of the narrative.
Though the writing could be refined in parts, the raw honesty of the storytelling more than compensates. Unsold Virgin is not an easy read — nor is it meant to be. It challenges, provokes, and leaves a mark that lingers long after the final page.
All in all this book is a bold, thought-provoking book that confronts social hypocrisy with honesty and empathy. Highly recommended for readers who value literature that seeks truth rather than comfort.
