Reading Yama | Alexandria
Read Yama by Aleksandr Kuprin. Interweaving Sanskrit mythology with Russian tragedy, "Yama" exposes the brutal economics of sex work through an unflinching lens that challenged 1900s societal norms. Beyond mere exposé, Kuprin reveals the startling humanity and complex social bonds within brothels - defying expectations that such places were solely sites of degradation. The narrative's raw examination of power, desire, and survival resonates eerily with modern human trafficking discourse.