Published July 7th, 2025

Review

Harsh, Harrowing, Honest, and Humorous — A Review of “ELIS: Irish Call Girl” by Anna Rajmon

by Jose Ramos

Hailing from the Czech Republic, Anna Rajmon is an author and illustrator with a love for dark humor, biting sarcasm, and unconventional storytelling. Writing is her passion — playing with words, exploring new expressions, and finding the freedom only writing offers. Her first book, ELIS: Irish Call Girl (Amazon, 2024), takes readers through the shadows of Ireland’s underworld, blending wit with a darker narrative.

ELIS: Irish Call Girl is a compelling and very emotional work which lays bare the shocking underworld of prostitution in Ireland and the Czech Republic. The author, Anna Rajmon, herself worked for nearly four years in this world, and has penned this book to bravely share what escapes the attention of most people.

In her captivating tale, Rajmon takes us with her on her journey — from the time she entered prostitution until she was able to get away from it. All the way, the journey is an emotional one, for Rajmon unapologetically draws you into her “warts-and-all” story and does not relent for a nanosecond in her depiction of the escorting lifestyle.

Rajmon vividly describes her time in prostitution, and exposes the depravity and inhumane behavior in Ireland's underworld where she worked under the name “Elis.” Employed by a heartless agency, she was marketed online as an “independent escort” (prostitution agencies are illegal in Ireland) and was treated badly by her employers and the clients whom she had to provide sexual services for. She put up with all of it so that she could provide a better life for her family.

Aware that such a story can be relentlessly grim, Rajmon deftly adds a touch of humor to her book through the use of witty illustrations and a sarcastic tone, with one-liners such as: “The more men I met, the more I understood serial killers.” One-liners such as these give her memoir a more balanced impression overall. Several humorous anecdotes also provide some light in the gloom — any story involving her partner in crime Victoria is guaranteed to make you smile.

However, ELIS: Irish Call Girl is more than just a memoir. Rajmon presents a unique perspective on the controversial subject of prostitution, neither siding with the neo-abolitionists who champion the so-called “Nordic Model” (which criminalises the purchase of sex, and proclaims that the clients who use such services are unsavory types who don’t care about the law) nor standing with those who advocate legalization. By sharing her insights, Rajmon encourages her readers to take a more realistic view of the world we live in. Her aim, quite clearly stated in her introduction, is to bring readers closer to the world of prostitution while also cautioning them to remain aware of their surroundings.

As readers, we may be oblivious to how deeply our lives can be intertwined with this hidden world and the impact it may have on us. ELIS: Irish Call Girl provides an eye-opening perspective on an often overlooked topic, which makes it a terrific book. The subject matter is serious, and what Rajmon went through is equally serious. Nonetheless, her well-paced writing style conveys her story very well, and there's an emotional depth to her tale which keeps the reader turning the pages.

Rajmon relays many insights and wise words when telling her story, showing that the escorting world is much harsher than many realize, and that more people are affected by it than outside appearances suggest. Overall, she comes across as an honest and likeable narrator — she is incredibly open about her experiences, and writes of them in a direct and informal way. Rajmon's sarcastic humor is very well-judged, and adds to her likeability. Her determination to fight for a better life for herself and her family will command the respect of thoughtful readers.

Nevertheless, some parts of the book are difficult to read. No question, Anna Rajmon endured some awful incidents during her time in Ireland's sex trade, and she is very detailed in retelling these experiences. While her humor does help to take some of the edge off, her story is overall a harsh one. Furthermore, while Rajmon's writing style is largely very elegant, there are readers who may be offended by some of the vulgar language used (hence the 18+ age recommendation), though it does lend authenticity to her story. After all, prostitution is not a genteel setting, and Rajmon's experiences do not lend themselves to genteel language.

These are minor quibbles, however. They do not take away from what is a powerful, gritty, well-written and inspiring book — one which tells of a woman's courageous journey through the cruel underbelly of Ireland's escorting industry.