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Fifteen Lanes
Noor has lived all of her fourteen years in the fifteen lanes of Mumbai’s red light district. Born into a brothel, she is destined for the same fate as her mother: a desperate life trapped in the city’s sex trade. She must act soon to have any chance of escaping this grim future.
Across the sprawling city, fifteen-year-old Grace enjoys a life of privilege. Her father, the CEO of one of India’s largest international banks, has brought his family to Mumbai where they live in unparalleled luxury. But Grace’s seemingly perfect life is shattered when she becomes a victim of a cruel online attack.
When their paths intersect, Noor and Grace will be changed forever. Can two girls living in vastly different worlds find a common path?
Across the sprawling city, fifteen-year-old Grace enjoys a life of privilege. Her father, the CEO of one of India’s largest international banks, has brought his family to Mumbai where they live in unparalleled luxury. But Grace’s seemingly perfect life is shattered when she becomes a victim of a cruel online attack.
When their paths intersect, Noor and Grace will be changed forever. Can two girls living in vastly different worlds find a common path?
304 pages, Hardcover
First published April 5, 2016
11 people are currently reading
1047 people want to read
About the author
S.J. Laidlaw
4 books24 followersSusan Laidlaw has twenty years experience as a teacher and counselor in schools and clinical settings around the world. She has published articles on parenting and has led workshops for parents and professional educators on a diverse range of topics related to raising and working with third culture children. When she isn't backpacking through Asia or birdwatching around her island home in Honduras, she can be found writing stories. Susan Laidlaw currently resides in Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
April 9, 2016
Find this and other Reviews at In Tori Lex
I was super excited to read this, the second I read the acknowledgement. I was worried how the author would handle describing the harsh and sad reality of Mumbai's sex workers. But the author's experience working with girls and women who have escaped sex work showed in her sensitivity and truth described. It's important to read about the reality of poverty in so many places in the world. The contrasting point of views between Grace and Noor worked well. While both girls live very different lives their ability to show kindness to each other although they needed it for different reasons was great.
Grace and Noor's friendship was sincere, while reading I never felt like their actions came off as unrealistic. Both girls acted in the best ways that they knew how. Noor's family while not perfect showed their love and supported each other emotionally even though they were in horrible conditions. Grace's support system while great was also didn't understand her feelings of isolation and how hard she took being bullied at school. I was able to emotionally connect with both characters and enjoyed their ability to reach a mutual understanding.
"Seventy percent of our population lives in slums, a quarter lives in absolute poverty. Would you really judge a mother harshly because she would do anything to provide for her children?"
While the story was heartbreaking it had an important message for readers. You can understand and relate to others no matter how different your life may seem. I can't imagine living in fear, and absolute poverty with little means of escape. But reading this story has reminded me of all the ways that I can help others and how important it is, to do what we can to show our humanity and kindness for those around us. Overall this was a great read. I recommend this to readers who would enjoy learning about serious issues in a different culture, through a relateable narrative.
I received this arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
"How can I dedicate a book to girls who may never have the freedom, education or leisure to read it? How can I not?"
I was super excited to read this, the second I read the acknowledgement. I was worried how the author would handle describing the harsh and sad reality of Mumbai's sex workers. But the author's experience working with girls and women who have escaped sex work showed in her sensitivity and truth described. It's important to read about the reality of poverty in so many places in the world. The contrasting point of views between Grace and Noor worked well. While both girls live very different lives their ability to show kindness to each other although they needed it for different reasons was great.
Grace and Noor's friendship was sincere, while reading I never felt like their actions came off as unrealistic. Both girls acted in the best ways that they knew how. Noor's family while not perfect showed their love and supported each other emotionally even though they were in horrible conditions. Grace's support system while great was also didn't understand her feelings of isolation and how hard she took being bullied at school. I was able to emotionally connect with both characters and enjoyed their ability to reach a mutual understanding.
"Seventy percent of our population lives in slums, a quarter lives in absolute poverty. Would you really judge a mother harshly because she would do anything to provide for her children?"
While the story was heartbreaking it had an important message for readers. You can understand and relate to others no matter how different your life may seem. I can't imagine living in fear, and absolute poverty with little means of escape. But reading this story has reminded me of all the ways that I can help others and how important it is, to do what we can to show our humanity and kindness for those around us. Overall this was a great read. I recommend this to readers who would enjoy learning about serious issues in a different culture, through a relateable narrative.
I received this arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 22, 2017
I have so many thoughts about this book yet I feel I am unable to put these thoughts into a proper review. Fifteen Lanes simply stays with you for a long time after reading it. Noor and Grace, little Shami and Aamaal. VJ Patel. Parvati. They all stay with you. Their personalities and personal pain stays with you. It did with me. I have long finished reading this book and I am still thinking about it. But alright, let's start from the beginning.
As you read from the blurb, we have two girls from "opposite sides of the tracks". And this is where another paradox appears... and it appears in real life too...Noor with the horrible-horrible life is a survivor and ultimately the caretaker who puts everyone else ahead of herself while Grace, who is brought up in an environment where nothing is ever lacking (be it food, money or future opportunities) seems to be of weak mental decision making with her tilted priorities.
Fifteen Lanes is a book of strong contrasts with Noor and Grace sitting at the opposite ends of fate, and it did frustrate me to no end when reading what Noor had to put up with- a life in a brothel, with broken women, taking care of her younger siblings; and then having Gracie-dear worry about something as petty as "I don't have any friends" while literally slicing into her flesh to ease the pain of loneliness. Yet, as you can read from the blurb, the girls lives do cross paths and through some eyeopening experiences for both, they prevail. How and who is involved in turning the lives around for both girls, you will just have to read for yourself.
The writing was really good. The whole book, despite the strong contrast and content weighing heavily on the heart, was an experience in itself to read. The characters were believable and realistic. Even though our main spotlight goes to Noor for being such a young vessel of willpower and kindness, I also enjoyed getting to know VJ Patel. Now there's a character that tests your prejudices.
Fifteen Lanes depressed me because it does mirror reality and inhumanity. The dark side of an exotic culture and the dark side a teenager's mind. I always find it hardest trying to wrap my brain around this other way of living, this utterly broken way of feeling or thinking. The prostitution (and also the acid attacks) are something that are so far away that it's hard to believe, yet I know it exists. The horrifying bit is when I fully admit that it doesn't only happen in those far away lands, but on our own doorsteps as well. Perhaps not that predominantly and visibly and in those horrifying conditions, but it does happen.
And here comes the beautiful part. The ending. The message to take away from the story. For me, it wasn't so much about "Oh, see, there are those two girls that are breaking the boundaries of a caste system", it was more the friendship and the family aspect which ultimately keeps the story going, changes fates and futures and stubbornly shakes the inhumane unwritten rules brainwashed into a society over decades.
I do recommend you read this book. It's great! *cringes*
As you read from the blurb, we have two girls from "opposite sides of the tracks". And this is where another paradox appears... and it appears in real life too...Noor with the horrible-horrible life is a survivor and ultimately the caretaker who puts everyone else ahead of herself while Grace, who is brought up in an environment where nothing is ever lacking (be it food, money or future opportunities) seems to be of weak mental decision making with her tilted priorities.
Fifteen Lanes is a book of strong contrasts with Noor and Grace sitting at the opposite ends of fate, and it did frustrate me to no end when reading what Noor had to put up with- a life in a brothel, with broken women, taking care of her younger siblings; and then having Gracie-dear worry about something as petty as "I don't have any friends" while literally slicing into her flesh to ease the pain of loneliness. Yet, as you can read from the blurb, the girls lives do cross paths and through some eyeopening experiences for both, they prevail. How and who is involved in turning the lives around for both girls, you will just have to read for yourself.
The writing was really good. The whole book, despite the strong contrast and content weighing heavily on the heart, was an experience in itself to read. The characters were believable and realistic. Even though our main spotlight goes to Noor for being such a young vessel of willpower and kindness, I also enjoyed getting to know VJ Patel. Now there's a character that tests your prejudices.
Fifteen Lanes depressed me because it does mirror reality and inhumanity. The dark side of an exotic culture and the dark side a teenager's mind. I always find it hardest trying to wrap my brain around this other way of living, this utterly broken way of feeling or thinking. The prostitution (and also the acid attacks) are something that are so far away that it's hard to believe, yet I know it exists. The horrifying bit is when I fully admit that it doesn't only happen in those far away lands, but on our own doorsteps as well. Perhaps not that predominantly and visibly and in those horrifying conditions, but it does happen.
And here comes the beautiful part. The ending. The message to take away from the story. For me, it wasn't so much about "Oh, see, there are those two girls that are breaking the boundaries of a caste system", it was more the friendship and the family aspect which ultimately keeps the story going, changes fates and futures and stubbornly shakes the inhumane unwritten rules brainwashed into a society over decades.
I do recommend you read this book. It's great! *cringes*
August 2, 2017
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I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Fifteen Lanes begins as an almost entirely disparate story of two girls in India. Grace, a European girl attending private school in Mumbai, is being mercilessly bullied after a topless picture of her circulates around the school. Meanwhile, Noor, the pre-teen daughter of a sex worker, is struggling to keep her family alive and herself out of the sex work business.
What I was expecting from this was some neo-imperialist white-girl-saves-the-day trash, but what I read was anything but.
First off, I should have read the author's bio before diving into her novel. Laidlaw herself volunteers at an NGO facility in Mumbai where the story takes place. To quote her author's note from the e-book, "I still have no illusions that I've transformed their lives, but I have no doubt they've changed mine." And it's exactly with this philosophy that the character Grace approaches her work with NGO.
The real incredible thing about this novel is that neither girl's suffering invalidates the other. Out of context, a borderline suicidal and friendless girl is undeniably facing a life of hardship. You would think that pitting Grace against Noor, who either lives on the street or watches her mother and "Aunties" used by countless men, would make her seem whiny. But Noor herself doesn't look down on Grace. When the two meet, they provide what the other needs most free of condescension. Grace gains a friend and someone who will listen to her while Noor gains outside help and a perspective that life can be better.
In fact, by the end of the book, I would even argue that Noor and Grace's struggles aren't even the central problem. In Grace's life there is VJ, the rich son of a Bollywood star who can't come out of the closet to his traditional parents or his fans. In Noor's world, there is her mother, an HIV positive woman in her 20s who is slowly dying, her sister, who is just barely old enough to understand their world, and her brother, an HIV positive toddler who isn't expected to live into childhood. On top of that, her best friend Parvati, who I'd argue is the true victim of the story, is raped in forced into sex slavery by the age of fourteen.
Laidlaw's world is well-researched and her characters unique and complex. Above all, I praise her for not pulling the white-girl-saves-all card. Grace and VJ help, but they do not necessarily change Noor's life. If you will all pardon the slight spoiler, my favorite part about this book is that everyone who ultimately saves Noor comes from her own community.
If you're like me and love to read about real struggles happening in the world sans condescension, I recommend this book wholeheartedly!
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Fifteen Lanes begins as an almost entirely disparate story of two girls in India. Grace, a European girl attending private school in Mumbai, is being mercilessly bullied after a topless picture of her circulates around the school. Meanwhile, Noor, the pre-teen daughter of a sex worker, is struggling to keep her family alive and herself out of the sex work business.
What I was expecting from this was some neo-imperialist white-girl-saves-the-day trash, but what I read was anything but.
First off, I should have read the author's bio before diving into her novel. Laidlaw herself volunteers at an NGO facility in Mumbai where the story takes place. To quote her author's note from the e-book, "I still have no illusions that I've transformed their lives, but I have no doubt they've changed mine." And it's exactly with this philosophy that the character Grace approaches her work with NGO.
The real incredible thing about this novel is that neither girl's suffering invalidates the other. Out of context, a borderline suicidal and friendless girl is undeniably facing a life of hardship. You would think that pitting Grace against Noor, who either lives on the street or watches her mother and "Aunties" used by countless men, would make her seem whiny. But Noor herself doesn't look down on Grace. When the two meet, they provide what the other needs most free of condescension. Grace gains a friend and someone who will listen to her while Noor gains outside help and a perspective that life can be better.
In fact, by the end of the book, I would even argue that Noor and Grace's struggles aren't even the central problem. In Grace's life there is VJ, the rich son of a Bollywood star who can't come out of the closet to his traditional parents or his fans. In Noor's world, there is her mother, an HIV positive woman in her 20s who is slowly dying, her sister, who is just barely old enough to understand their world, and her brother, an HIV positive toddler who isn't expected to live into childhood. On top of that, her best friend Parvati, who I'd argue is the true victim of the story, is raped in forced into sex slavery by the age of fourteen.
Laidlaw's world is well-researched and her characters unique and complex. Above all, I praise her for not pulling the white-girl-saves-all card. Grace and VJ help, but they do not necessarily change Noor's life. If you will all pardon the slight spoiler, my favorite part about this book is that everyone who ultimately saves Noor comes from her own community.
If you're like me and love to read about real struggles happening in the world sans condescension, I recommend this book wholeheartedly!
February 22, 2017
Powerful. This is the best word that I would use to describe this book. This book deals with serious topics and I would like to put a warning that this book includes rape, sex trade, human trafficking and abuse. This book is something that I wouldn't usually pick up, but I am glad I did due to the book club I am in called White Pine. I did not know what this book was about while picking it up, and just dived right in. Right when I finished the first chapter, the story grasped my attention, and I couldn't put the book down. I buddy-read this with my friend Nathalie, and we enjoyed this book a lot. Although it was heart-breaking, it raised awareness to many issues in India that I have never heard about. It gave me more knowledge and showed me different perspectives of what it is like to live both poor and rich. It was interesting and kept me reading until the very end.
Noor is a fourteen year old girl who was born into a brothel. She lives in Mumbai and is forced to live in terrible conditions because of the business her family is in. She is part of the city's sex trade and her mother earns for their family. Grace on the other hand, is fifteen years old and lives across the city. Her father is one of the CEOs of a large international bank in India and so Grace lives a luxurious life. But one day, after making a mistake, she is attacked online by her peers. As the story goes on, both Noor and Grace meet under certain circumstances. How will these two girls bond, when being from two opposite worlds?
I probably didn't describe this book very well, but it is something that is very important. Not only does this book highlight the issues with children who are exposed to sex trades, but it also shows the dangers of living a life like Noor's. This is a novel that will surprise you in many ways and there are many times where you can't help but cry for the characters. Noor is such an amazing girl, she's smart and strong. I love how she never hesitates to protect people she loves. Grace is a nice girl, but I don't like her character as much as Noor. Grace is very easy to relate to but I wouldn't have done the things she did in this novel. Vj is one of my favourite characters in this book along with cute little Shami.
I hope to read more by this author, this book is amazing. I highly recommend this to everyone!
Noor is a fourteen year old girl who was born into a brothel. She lives in Mumbai and is forced to live in terrible conditions because of the business her family is in. She is part of the city's sex trade and her mother earns for their family. Grace on the other hand, is fifteen years old and lives across the city. Her father is one of the CEOs of a large international bank in India and so Grace lives a luxurious life. But one day, after making a mistake, she is attacked online by her peers. As the story goes on, both Noor and Grace meet under certain circumstances. How will these two girls bond, when being from two opposite worlds?
I probably didn't describe this book very well, but it is something that is very important. Not only does this book highlight the issues with children who are exposed to sex trades, but it also shows the dangers of living a life like Noor's. This is a novel that will surprise you in many ways and there are many times where you can't help but cry for the characters. Noor is such an amazing girl, she's smart and strong. I love how she never hesitates to protect people she loves. Grace is a nice girl, but I don't like her character as much as Noor. Grace is very easy to relate to but I wouldn't have done the things she did in this novel. Vj is one of my favourite characters in this book along with cute little Shami.
I hope to read more by this author, this book is amazing. I highly recommend this to everyone!
April 14, 2017
"'There is a whole world of possibilities beyond our fifteen lanes. Don't you want more for yourself?"
Fifteen Lanes dives into the lives of Grace, a privileged fifteen year old struggling with bullying, and Noor, a fourteen year old facing her fate as a Devadasi in Mumbai’s red light district. Emotionally gripping and undeniably real, Fifteen Lanes is an eye-opening story about hope, determination, and courage. S.J. Laidlaw does an excellent job at creating a compassionate atmosphere for both characters while handling their struggles with the upmost respect. I found the distinct voices of Grace and Noor to make the dual-perspective narrative incredibly grounding. For example, Grace’s point of view helped shine a light on Noor’s horrifying overexposure to discrimination, violence, and degradation. Secondary characters are well-developed and treated with similar care. I was thankful for some of VJ Patel’s comic relief amid the dark, serious topics explored within the novel. Overall, I believe Fifteen Lanes is a solid book with an important story to tell.
So why not five stars? Personally, I found Grace’s challenges to be trivial in comparison to Noor. However, I want to be abundantly clear that the author does not convey this message! So while not impacting the overall message, some of Grace’s chapters hindered my personal enjoyment of the book. This was particularly troublesome at the beginning of the novel, when I found time seemed to drag in between Noor’s chapters.
I also found the story to have a few inconsistencies. For example, These were not glaring plot holes by any means, but still small things which took away from an immersive reading experience.
All that being said, I was pleased to find that Fifteen Lanes did not fall into a “white-savior” trope and enjoyed the story. I would recommend this books for everyone who knows nothing about Mumbai or sex-trafficking and is willing to step outside of a privileged bubble and learn.
Fifteen Lanes dives into the lives of Grace, a privileged fifteen year old struggling with bullying, and Noor, a fourteen year old facing her fate as a Devadasi in Mumbai’s red light district. Emotionally gripping and undeniably real, Fifteen Lanes is an eye-opening story about hope, determination, and courage. S.J. Laidlaw does an excellent job at creating a compassionate atmosphere for both characters while handling their struggles with the upmost respect. I found the distinct voices of Grace and Noor to make the dual-perspective narrative incredibly grounding. For example, Grace’s point of view helped shine a light on Noor’s horrifying overexposure to discrimination, violence, and degradation. Secondary characters are well-developed and treated with similar care. I was thankful for some of VJ Patel’s comic relief amid the dark, serious topics explored within the novel. Overall, I believe Fifteen Lanes is a solid book with an important story to tell.
So why not five stars? Personally, I found Grace’s challenges to be trivial in comparison to Noor. However, I want to be abundantly clear that the author does not convey this message! So while not impacting the overall message, some of Grace’s chapters hindered my personal enjoyment of the book. This was particularly troublesome at the beginning of the novel, when I found time seemed to drag in between Noor’s chapters.
I also found the story to have a few inconsistencies. For example, These were not glaring plot holes by any means, but still small things which took away from an immersive reading experience.
All that being said, I was pleased to find that Fifteen Lanes did not fall into a “white-savior” trope and enjoyed the story. I would recommend this books for everyone who knows nothing about Mumbai or sex-trafficking and is willing to step outside of a privileged bubble and learn.
March 22, 2017
Rating: 4/5
***Minor spoilers, TW (IN BOOK, NOT REVIEW): RAPE, SELF-HARM, SUICIDAL THOUGHTS***
This novel is told from two perspectives, both teenage girls who live in Mumbai. Noor is the daughter of a sex worker, and lives under her mother's bed in the brothel she works at. She takes whatever scraps she can to survive on, and hopes to use her intelligence and education to get her family out. Grace is a transfer student who is pretty well off. Her brother and best friend moved away, so she's left with virtually no friends, and is later the victim of some pretty intense bullying. She loses hope and doesn't really know what to do. Soon, these two girls will cross paths and influence each other in ways that they couldn't have ever imagined.
This is another book I had to read for my school's book club. This would have to be one of my favourites out of the 10 books we have to read so far. It had so many good aspects to it. The characters, first of all, were fantastic. While the first part of Grace's story was predictable, I quickly forgot about that as the plot grew more interesting. One thing I noticed was how the texting in one part of the book wasn't really how teenagers text, but since that's pretty much the only texting in the book, it only bothered me in the moment. The plot was quite interesting, especially Noor's perspective, just because I've never read a book with a perspective like hers before, while Grace's perspective is more common. It was difficult to read at times, what with their different struggles, but it was done very well.
The only other thing I would want to improve is the passage of time. Sometimes we skipped a few months, sometimes a few years, and it confused me at certain points. I think it would've done the book some good if passages from the past either had "x years ago" or that the chapters had dates on them. I'm not sure if this bothered anyone else, but it's just a minor thing that bothered me at times.
Overall, this was a great read with only a few downsides and a lot of positive things. The characters were realistic and interesting, Noor's perspective kept me on my toes, and the dynamic between the characters was good. I've never read a book that had a perspective like Noor's before, and I'm glad that this was my first because it was just so well done. I would definitely recommend it to anyone, but just make sure that you're fine with the things mentioned in the TW.
***Minor spoilers, TW (IN BOOK, NOT REVIEW): RAPE, SELF-HARM, SUICIDAL THOUGHTS***
This novel is told from two perspectives, both teenage girls who live in Mumbai. Noor is the daughter of a sex worker, and lives under her mother's bed in the brothel she works at. She takes whatever scraps she can to survive on, and hopes to use her intelligence and education to get her family out. Grace is a transfer student who is pretty well off. Her brother and best friend moved away, so she's left with virtually no friends, and is later the victim of some pretty intense bullying. She loses hope and doesn't really know what to do. Soon, these two girls will cross paths and influence each other in ways that they couldn't have ever imagined.
This is another book I had to read for my school's book club. This would have to be one of my favourites out of the 10 books we have to read so far. It had so many good aspects to it. The characters, first of all, were fantastic. While the first part of Grace's story was predictable, I quickly forgot about that as the plot grew more interesting. One thing I noticed was how the texting in one part of the book wasn't really how teenagers text, but since that's pretty much the only texting in the book, it only bothered me in the moment. The plot was quite interesting, especially Noor's perspective, just because I've never read a book with a perspective like hers before, while Grace's perspective is more common. It was difficult to read at times, what with their different struggles, but it was done very well.
The only other thing I would want to improve is the passage of time. Sometimes we skipped a few months, sometimes a few years, and it confused me at certain points. I think it would've done the book some good if passages from the past either had "x years ago" or that the chapters had dates on them. I'm not sure if this bothered anyone else, but it's just a minor thing that bothered me at times.
Overall, this was a great read with only a few downsides and a lot of positive things. The characters were realistic and interesting, Noor's perspective kept me on my toes, and the dynamic between the characters was good. I've never read a book that had a perspective like Noor's before, and I'm glad that this was my first because it was just so well done. I would definitely recommend it to anyone, but just make sure that you're fine with the things mentioned in the TW.
March 8, 2016
This book is not for the faint of heart. It is presented as Children's Fiction and YA, but I think it definitely doesn't qualify as a children's book. It's way too raw for that. My recommendation would be 15+ and then only for the tough kids!
The story is told by alternating between Noor's and Grace's point of view. Noor's opening scene starts with her lying beneath her mother's bed while she's entertaining a client. Noor's mother is a sex worker. You can imagine what that entertainment entails.
Grace's first scene starts with regular high school problems for someone with no friends, except these take place in an international school in Mumbai where only the rich kids/expats' kids go to. When Grace becomes the laughing stock of the school due to a very unfortunate incident, she gets even more absorbed into her own world of thoughts and starts cutting herself.
This is the first time I read about this subject in a work of fiction and it's one of the few mental health issues that I just completely fail to understand. That doesn't mean I don't take it seriously, but that I simply cannot grasp what urges someone to cut themselves intentionally. There was a girl in my high school class who had a huge crush on me and carved my initials into her lower arm. I'm pretty sure that wasn't the only cutting she did on herself and I honestly hope that she has gotten some help for this eventually. But I'm digressing, this is Grace's story.
Compared to Noor, Grace's life is full of sunshine and roses. Grace has a roof over her head, a bed she can sleep in, plenty of food to eat, a set of loving parents and excellent medical care. Noor has none of these. She still manages to go to a school where no one knows she's the daughter of a sex worker, and soon becomes the top student in her class. Meanwhile, she has to take care of her younger sister, Aamaal, and her little brother, Shami. Shami has been HIV positive since he was born and is always sick. Noor takes care of him more like he's her own son instead of her little brother. Shami is really the body of innocence throughout the story line. Every time someone was hurting him, I wanted to open up a giant can of whoop-ass on them.
Living in a poor neighborhood in Kamathipura, Mumbai's red-light district, means violence and inhumanity lie just around the corner. Which is why, when Noor and Grace finally meet up, I can't believe how Grace can compare her futile problems to those of Noor. "Everybody hates me at school, yadayadayada."
Wake up you ignorant twat, you're talking to a girl who has to sleep on the streets while her baby brother has pneumonia and her best friend is getting gang raped!
Eventually, I do like how their stories intertwine and what comes out of it. I just couldn't help but think Grace should man up a little. Then again, if school is your life and you have nothing besides that...It just seems like such an insignificant problem compared to the life of the Indian children, especially if you're reading the stories parallel to each other. Luckily, Grace sees this herself as well at some point: "...seeing Noor's life had put my own in perspective...". My note here: "Fucking finally!".
I absolutely loved Noor. My god, this little woman is just so strong, so smart, and so loving. Taking care of herself, her family and friends while living in the slumps. I know there are a lot of girls out there like Noor who deserve so much better and all the respect the world can give them. By telling Noor's story, the author told us their stories as well. And she did so in a raw but very beautiful way.
If Grace's storyline was a bit less cliché and predictable, I would've gladly given this book 5 brownies. It made a deep impact on me to read about the children of sex workers in India. And about the sex workers themselves as well, who are often not much older than the children. The author's note at the end of the book states that she has worked in India herself to help these women. According to Dasra's research (Dasra being a leading Indian strategic philanthropy organization based in Mumbai), there are an estimated 15 million people in India who have been trafficked into sex work. That's almost as much as the entire Dutch population!
You can find more information about the women and children of Kamathipura here. I'm definitely planning on making a donation there due to what I read about in this book. These girls need all the help they can get.
An ARC of this book was provided by Tundra Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The story is told by alternating between Noor's and Grace's point of view. Noor's opening scene starts with her lying beneath her mother's bed while she's entertaining a client. Noor's mother is a sex worker. You can imagine what that entertainment entails.
Grace's first scene starts with regular high school problems for someone with no friends, except these take place in an international school in Mumbai where only the rich kids/expats' kids go to. When Grace becomes the laughing stock of the school due to a very unfortunate incident, she gets even more absorbed into her own world of thoughts and starts cutting herself.
This is the first time I read about this subject in a work of fiction and it's one of the few mental health issues that I just completely fail to understand. That doesn't mean I don't take it seriously, but that I simply cannot grasp what urges someone to cut themselves intentionally. There was a girl in my high school class who had a huge crush on me and carved my initials into her lower arm. I'm pretty sure that wasn't the only cutting she did on herself and I honestly hope that she has gotten some help for this eventually. But I'm digressing, this is Grace's story.
Compared to Noor, Grace's life is full of sunshine and roses. Grace has a roof over her head, a bed she can sleep in, plenty of food to eat, a set of loving parents and excellent medical care. Noor has none of these. She still manages to go to a school where no one knows she's the daughter of a sex worker, and soon becomes the top student in her class. Meanwhile, she has to take care of her younger sister, Aamaal, and her little brother, Shami. Shami has been HIV positive since he was born and is always sick. Noor takes care of him more like he's her own son instead of her little brother. Shami is really the body of innocence throughout the story line. Every time someone was hurting him, I wanted to open up a giant can of whoop-ass on them.
Living in a poor neighborhood in Kamathipura, Mumbai's red-light district, means violence and inhumanity lie just around the corner. Which is why, when Noor and Grace finally meet up, I can't believe how Grace can compare her futile problems to those of Noor. "Everybody hates me at school, yadayadayada."
Wake up you ignorant twat, you're talking to a girl who has to sleep on the streets while her baby brother has pneumonia and her best friend is getting gang raped!
Eventually, I do like how their stories intertwine and what comes out of it. I just couldn't help but think Grace should man up a little. Then again, if school is your life and you have nothing besides that...It just seems like such an insignificant problem compared to the life of the Indian children, especially if you're reading the stories parallel to each other. Luckily, Grace sees this herself as well at some point: "...seeing Noor's life had put my own in perspective...". My note here: "Fucking finally!".
I absolutely loved Noor. My god, this little woman is just so strong, so smart, and so loving. Taking care of herself, her family and friends while living in the slumps. I know there are a lot of girls out there like Noor who deserve so much better and all the respect the world can give them. By telling Noor's story, the author told us their stories as well. And she did so in a raw but very beautiful way.
If Grace's storyline was a bit less cliché and predictable, I would've gladly given this book 5 brownies. It made a deep impact on me to read about the children of sex workers in India. And about the sex workers themselves as well, who are often not much older than the children. The author's note at the end of the book states that she has worked in India herself to help these women. According to Dasra's research (Dasra being a leading Indian strategic philanthropy organization based in Mumbai), there are an estimated 15 million people in India who have been trafficked into sex work. That's almost as much as the entire Dutch population!
You can find more information about the women and children of Kamathipura here. I'm definitely planning on making a donation there due to what I read about in this book. These girls need all the help they can get.
An ARC of this book was provided by Tundra Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 5, 2016
Eye-opening. Shocking. Heart-breaking. Hopeful. Real. These are just some of the words that ran through my mind as I was reading Fifteen Lanes, the new book by S.J Laidlaw. This book is set in Kamathipura, Mumbai's oldest and Asia's second largest red light district and follows the lives of two teen girls who tell the story in alternating points of view.
Noor is a young Indian girl who was born to a sex trade worker. She takes care of two younger siblings and they live in a brothel with their mother. She has higher hopes for herself and her siblings than following in their mother's footsteps. Grace is the fifteen year old daughter of a Canadian CEO who lives in luxury in Mumbai, attends a private school but suffers from severe bullying by her peers and extreme anxiety. Laidlaw brings her readers into the private lives of these two girls with vivid clarity.
With Grace the reader experiences bullying, suicidal thoughts and even self harm as Grace tries to overcome a mistake she made for which her peers will not let her forget. You feel her fear and helplessness with her situation. While her station in life is good, her outlook is very bleak.
But, if I'm being honest, it was Noor's story that had me riveted and for which the book had more of a focus. Readers will be shocked and heart-broken to see the life that Noor lives. Laidlaw doesn't shy away from heavy topics such as prostitution, violence, extreme poverty, child sex trade, rape and abuse. Her world is so different from anything I've ever read before. It's extremely impoverished, desolate and so very misogynistic. It was depressing and heart-breaking to see these young women stolen from their homes to be sold into sexual slavery and used on a daily basis with little to no hope of escaping. Yet, within their community, specifically within their brothel, you see their sense of community and unity that Noor and these women have with each other.
One of the reasons that Laidlaw's writing is so authentic is because she brings real life experience to her writing. She has volunteered with NGOs (Non-Government Organizations) before, specifically counselling daughters of sex trade workers. She has seen firsthand how these girls' lives are affected by where they live, their caste etc. But she also doesn't have rose coloured glasses as Laidlaw states "I still have no illusions that I've transformed their lives, but I have no doubt they've changed mine."
When Noor and Grace finally meet they help each other giving each other what they lack - one, a friend and the other the possibility of a better life. I will say that I felt that Noor and Grace's connection felt a little rushed. I would have liked to have had more time to see their bond form. And while Grace's story was interesting, Noor's overshadowed it and her character was much more interesting to me personally.
This is a wonderful book about strength, love, overcoming one's lot in life and compassion but I applaud Laidlaw for not making it about the rich girl saving the poor girl. Noor has a fire within her that is evident throughout the book and while Laidlaw shows weakness and fear in her characters the overall message is about strength and endurance. This is a well researched book with strong, unique characters whose lives will pull at your heart strings, make you angry that people are forced to live this way and hopeful that girls like Noor will be able to make it out.
Highly recommended.
My Rating: 4.5/5 stars (increased to 5 stars for this site)
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Tundra Books for providing me with a paperback copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Noor is a young Indian girl who was born to a sex trade worker. She takes care of two younger siblings and they live in a brothel with their mother. She has higher hopes for herself and her siblings than following in their mother's footsteps. Grace is the fifteen year old daughter of a Canadian CEO who lives in luxury in Mumbai, attends a private school but suffers from severe bullying by her peers and extreme anxiety. Laidlaw brings her readers into the private lives of these two girls with vivid clarity.
With Grace the reader experiences bullying, suicidal thoughts and even self harm as Grace tries to overcome a mistake she made for which her peers will not let her forget. You feel her fear and helplessness with her situation. While her station in life is good, her outlook is very bleak.
But, if I'm being honest, it was Noor's story that had me riveted and for which the book had more of a focus. Readers will be shocked and heart-broken to see the life that Noor lives. Laidlaw doesn't shy away from heavy topics such as prostitution, violence, extreme poverty, child sex trade, rape and abuse. Her world is so different from anything I've ever read before. It's extremely impoverished, desolate and so very misogynistic. It was depressing and heart-breaking to see these young women stolen from their homes to be sold into sexual slavery and used on a daily basis with little to no hope of escaping. Yet, within their community, specifically within their brothel, you see their sense of community and unity that Noor and these women have with each other.
One of the reasons that Laidlaw's writing is so authentic is because she brings real life experience to her writing. She has volunteered with NGOs (Non-Government Organizations) before, specifically counselling daughters of sex trade workers. She has seen firsthand how these girls' lives are affected by where they live, their caste etc. But she also doesn't have rose coloured glasses as Laidlaw states "I still have no illusions that I've transformed their lives, but I have no doubt they've changed mine."
When Noor and Grace finally meet they help each other giving each other what they lack - one, a friend and the other the possibility of a better life. I will say that I felt that Noor and Grace's connection felt a little rushed. I would have liked to have had more time to see their bond form. And while Grace's story was interesting, Noor's overshadowed it and her character was much more interesting to me personally.
This is a wonderful book about strength, love, overcoming one's lot in life and compassion but I applaud Laidlaw for not making it about the rich girl saving the poor girl. Noor has a fire within her that is evident throughout the book and while Laidlaw shows weakness and fear in her characters the overall message is about strength and endurance. This is a well researched book with strong, unique characters whose lives will pull at your heart strings, make you angry that people are forced to live this way and hopeful that girls like Noor will be able to make it out.
Highly recommended.
My Rating: 4.5/5 stars (increased to 5 stars for this site)
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Tundra Books for providing me with a paperback copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
April 9, 2016
"There is a whole world of possibilities beyond our fifteen lanes. Don't you want more for yourself?"
What a beautiful book! The story follows the very different worlds of two girls, Noor, a 14 year-old who lives in a red-light district of Mumbai, daughter of a sex worker, with two sibling to take care of, and Grace, a middle-class 15 year-old victim of bullism who struggles with a deep social anxiety and .
The summary of the book says "When their paths intersect, Noor and Grace will be changed forever" even though the girls don't meet until the second half of the story and do not really spend that much time together. I believe that this book did a great job in portraying Noor's life. I read that the author has volunteered with sex workers' daughters so she knew what she was talking about. I found the way she describes the struggles of females living in a heavily mysoginistic society on point. The author deals with issues of child prostitution, of minors abuse, of rape. She underlines how important education is both for girls and boys. Noor is an amazing young woman. She battles on a daily basis the dangers of her life. Despite being penniless she cares for her very sick brother, every day she has to look for a place to spend the night at for her, her siblings and friend and is still able to be first student in her class.
"I hoped I looked like a beggar. I didn't want her to see the tiger inside me."
On the other hand we see Grace, daughter of a CEO, whose life shatters in front of her eyes because of an act of bullism perpetreted by kids in her school. She's shunned by the social groups and cyber bullied on a daily basis. She's depressed and suicidal. Her storyline was quite interesting and made me so much bitter, teenagers can be so mean, but, despite her character having gone through a lot, I still do believe that the story focused a lot more on Noor to the detriment of Grace's. I mean, I do get why, but I still believe it was a loss for the development of the character.
When the two girls meet a more meaningful friendship could have developed, instead everything felt too rushed. The world building throughout the first half of the book was slowly crafted and it was fascinating and beautiful but then we run towards the ending too quickly and the reader is just left there, hanging.
With this I'm not saying I didn't like this book, my rating says it all. I'm just saying that the plotting could have been better.
"You were right when you said there's a whole world beyond these fifteen lanes. Why should you be the only one to escape?"
Anyway this was a fascinating and beautiful read (I've used these adjectives a lot in this review, I know!) and I'd recommend it to all those readers interested in strong willed women and in a culturally different read. We need them every once in a while!
Finally, once you've read the book the cover makes you weep a bit! Gorgeous!
I kindly received this book from its publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
What a beautiful book! The story follows the very different worlds of two girls, Noor, a 14 year-old who lives in a red-light district of Mumbai, daughter of a sex worker, with two sibling to take care of, and Grace, a middle-class 15 year-old victim of bullism who struggles with a deep social anxiety and .
The summary of the book says "When their paths intersect, Noor and Grace will be changed forever" even though the girls don't meet until the second half of the story and do not really spend that much time together. I believe that this book did a great job in portraying Noor's life. I read that the author has volunteered with sex workers' daughters so she knew what she was talking about. I found the way she describes the struggles of females living in a heavily mysoginistic society on point. The author deals with issues of child prostitution, of minors abuse, of rape. She underlines how important education is both for girls and boys. Noor is an amazing young woman. She battles on a daily basis the dangers of her life. Despite being penniless she cares for her very sick brother, every day she has to look for a place to spend the night at for her, her siblings and friend and is still able to be first student in her class.
"I hoped I looked like a beggar. I didn't want her to see the tiger inside me."
On the other hand we see Grace, daughter of a CEO, whose life shatters in front of her eyes because of an act of bullism perpetreted by kids in her school. She's shunned by the social groups and cyber bullied on a daily basis. She's depressed and suicidal. Her storyline was quite interesting and made me so much bitter, teenagers can be so mean, but, despite her character having gone through a lot, I still do believe that the story focused a lot more on Noor to the detriment of Grace's. I mean, I do get why, but I still believe it was a loss for the development of the character.
When the two girls meet a more meaningful friendship could have developed, instead everything felt too rushed. The world building throughout the first half of the book was slowly crafted and it was fascinating and beautiful but then we run towards the ending too quickly and the reader is just left there, hanging.
With this I'm not saying I didn't like this book, my rating says it all. I'm just saying that the plotting could have been better.
"You were right when you said there's a whole world beyond these fifteen lanes. Why should you be the only one to escape?"
Anyway this was a fascinating and beautiful read (I've used these adjectives a lot in this review, I know!) and I'd recommend it to all those readers interested in strong willed women and in a culturally different read. We need them every once in a while!
Finally, once you've read the book the cover makes you weep a bit! Gorgeous!
I kindly received this book from its publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 2, 2016
I have had the chance to read a few books similar to this one, where the reality of poverty and the life an individual is born into becomes heartbreakingly real. I admit that these books break my heart, cause sleepless nights, and render tears. However, it is the reality in the words written and the fact that this could happen — does happen — makes its message all the more powerful. It can break a human’s spirit, but it can also give birth to the person who could change it. I’ll admit, honestly, that this isn’t my first choice of book to read, mainly because it’s the type of book you never get over and you never forget. Unlike some books where I could read them a thousand times, it’s books like this one where I can read it once, be changed forever, and never touch it again.
The plot of the story was interesting to read, mainly because it took two main characters from two very different backgrounds and highlighted the horrors and difficulties in both of these characters lives. The writing maintained an objective position throughout the story, never discounting one character’s experiences against that of another. It really showed that everyone’s view of hardship is different and the definition is hard to grasp because it needs to be taken on a case by case basis. That is what this novel did, and what this author masterfully executed.
One of the main characters is Grace, who is by all standards living a perfect life. It is expected that because she comes from money, she really has nothing bad that could happen to her. However, this all changes when a group of girls decide to play a malicious prank on her and put her in a vulnerable position. Suddenly all of her parents’ wealth could not help her from spiraling into a place that no one should ever find themselves in. She watches as people who hardly know her take pleasure in shredding every ounce of her self-esteem. She reads the harsh words they say about her and feels like there is no turning back. Throughout the novel, she dances along the fine line of being a stable individual and teetering towards self-destruction. While I won’t spoil anything about what happens to her, I think she highlights both the privileges and the disadvantages to wealth, and how no one is safe from being damaged.
The second character is Noor, a young girl caught in the web of sex work and brothels. While for the majority of the novel she is to young to be enlisted in the harsh work, she witnesses as those she loves are brutalized by strangers and knows that her future will be the same. It is like a dagger hanging over her head throughout the novel as she struggles with the fact that she wants to escape but could never leave her family behind. For her, the devastating and horrific circumstances are almost normalized in her narrative because she has known nothing else. It is a distinct contrast from Grace, who has never had to experience devastation like this. Noor handles her life with a tranquility that I doubt I would be able to maintain in such a place. She is the mother figure and the protector. She values her family above all else, and her honor is the only thing she has to keep her alive.
Together, these two characters create a beautiful patchwork that highlights the damage that circumstance can cause. Together, these two characters heal the damage left by the horrors they face. The book was eye opening and beautiful.
The plot of the story was interesting to read, mainly because it took two main characters from two very different backgrounds and highlighted the horrors and difficulties in both of these characters lives. The writing maintained an objective position throughout the story, never discounting one character’s experiences against that of another. It really showed that everyone’s view of hardship is different and the definition is hard to grasp because it needs to be taken on a case by case basis. That is what this novel did, and what this author masterfully executed.
One of the main characters is Grace, who is by all standards living a perfect life. It is expected that because she comes from money, she really has nothing bad that could happen to her. However, this all changes when a group of girls decide to play a malicious prank on her and put her in a vulnerable position. Suddenly all of her parents’ wealth could not help her from spiraling into a place that no one should ever find themselves in. She watches as people who hardly know her take pleasure in shredding every ounce of her self-esteem. She reads the harsh words they say about her and feels like there is no turning back. Throughout the novel, she dances along the fine line of being a stable individual and teetering towards self-destruction. While I won’t spoil anything about what happens to her, I think she highlights both the privileges and the disadvantages to wealth, and how no one is safe from being damaged.
The second character is Noor, a young girl caught in the web of sex work and brothels. While for the majority of the novel she is to young to be enlisted in the harsh work, she witnesses as those she loves are brutalized by strangers and knows that her future will be the same. It is like a dagger hanging over her head throughout the novel as she struggles with the fact that she wants to escape but could never leave her family behind. For her, the devastating and horrific circumstances are almost normalized in her narrative because she has known nothing else. It is a distinct contrast from Grace, who has never had to experience devastation like this. Noor handles her life with a tranquility that I doubt I would be able to maintain in such a place. She is the mother figure and the protector. She values her family above all else, and her honor is the only thing she has to keep her alive.
Together, these two characters create a beautiful patchwork that highlights the damage that circumstance can cause. Together, these two characters heal the damage left by the horrors they face. The book was eye opening and beautiful.
April 3, 2016
This was an utterly absorbing novel that forced me to read it pretty much non-stop until I was finished.
Dual first-person narratives, both teen girls in Mumbai, but they couldn't have come from more disparate circumstances. Noor is the daughter of a sex worker and the novel opens with Noor sleeping under her mother's bed as men are being serviced above. Grace is a wealthy privileged student at a Mumbai International School. Both are bullied and shamed at their respective schools and their stories intersect when Grace volunteers at an NGO that assists the children of sex workers.
In less deft hands this story could have read like a sermon but S. J. Laidlaw writes with well-researched clarity and passion. Her portrayal of Noor's appalling life circumstances is precise but never pandering. You'd think that any problem Grace could have would be overshadowed by Noor's, but there's actually a good balance. The systematic bullying that Grace suffers will be instantly familiar to North American teen readers. The juxtaposition of the two girls' problems works very well.
I won't tell you what the ending is, but I will tell you that it's satisfying, and not in the expected way.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Dual first-person narratives, both teen girls in Mumbai, but they couldn't have come from more disparate circumstances. Noor is the daughter of a sex worker and the novel opens with Noor sleeping under her mother's bed as men are being serviced above. Grace is a wealthy privileged student at a Mumbai International School. Both are bullied and shamed at their respective schools and their stories intersect when Grace volunteers at an NGO that assists the children of sex workers.
In less deft hands this story could have read like a sermon but S. J. Laidlaw writes with well-researched clarity and passion. Her portrayal of Noor's appalling life circumstances is precise but never pandering. You'd think that any problem Grace could have would be overshadowed by Noor's, but there's actually a good balance. The systematic bullying that Grace suffers will be instantly familiar to North American teen readers. The juxtaposition of the two girls' problems works very well.
I won't tell you what the ending is, but I will tell you that it's satisfying, and not in the expected way.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 22, 2017
I received a copy from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Actual Rating: 4.25
This was a great read. The story is about sex trafficking in Mumbai, India. The story follows two teenage girls: Noor, and Grace. Noor is the daughter of a sex worker. Noor is a bright, intelligent girl. Grace is a girl who has been through a lot. After her best friend moves, she is constantly bullied via phone and other ways.
The two girls become friends, and the world of India is brought into a different light through this book. I recommend this book to any young adult. It is well-written and it shows the world of India. Also, the characters are well-written. Overall, a heartbreaking, yet great read.
Actual Rating: 4.25
This was a great read. The story is about sex trafficking in Mumbai, India. The story follows two teenage girls: Noor, and Grace. Noor is the daughter of a sex worker. Noor is a bright, intelligent girl. Grace is a girl who has been through a lot. After her best friend moves, she is constantly bullied via phone and other ways.
The two girls become friends, and the world of India is brought into a different light through this book. I recommend this book to any young adult. It is well-written and it shows the world of India. Also, the characters are well-written. Overall, a heartbreaking, yet great read.
January 9, 2016
Wow. It's been a while since I read a book in less than two days. I absolutely loved this one.
March 14, 2017
*4.5/5 stars*
Phenomenal novel; I highly recommend it. Full review here!
Phenomenal novel; I highly recommend it. Full review here!
April 5, 2016
Read: March 31 – April 4, 2016
Format: ARC Ebook (Kindle)
My Book Rating: 4.5 Stars
Genre: YA Contemporary
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
When I requested this book from NetGalley, I’m not really sure what I was thinking. I like a certain type of book and I don’t often deviate. When I deviate, I usually end up disappointed. So, while I have no clue what made me think I’d enjoy this book, I’m glad I clicked the REQUEST button, because this book will stay with me for a very long time.
“There is a whole world of possibilities beyond our fifteen lanes”
Fifteen Lanes is a story of two girls in India, told in dual perspectives. Noor is a a young teen girl living in a brothel in the slums of India. Her mother is a sex worker and she knows it’s only time before she herself is sold off into the sex trade. Until then, she attends a school where nobody knows her true identity, and she cares for her younger sister and brother. She dares to dream that maybe someday she can escape this life and rent a room for herself, her mother, her siblings, and all of her friends who are slaves to the brothel.
Meanwhile, across town, there’s fifteen year old rich, white girl, Grace. She has problems of her own when she becomes the victim of malicious bullying. Her problems may not be as bad as Noor’s, but we all have our limits, and Grace has reached hers.
Can two girls from two completely different worlds save each other?
Side by side Noor and Grace are night and day. They live in completely different worlds and are going through completely different ordeals, but together they form a friendship. I wish the book had given more time to develop their friendship, as they met after the 50% point in the book and probably only saw each other on two separate occasions before the books climax.
You would think that Grace, who has never gone hungry, never slept on the streets, would be the stronger of the girls, but it’s Noor. Noor has been through hell, it’s all she knows. Of the two, she is the strongest and in the end, they have to save each other.
I think the book could have worked (possibly better?) just telling Noor’s side of the story, however giving the reader Grace’s POV may help some readers who are either unable to identify with Noor, or hesitant to even start the book because they’re afraid to dive into a culture so different from their own.
Remember when I said that I read what I know I’ll like, and I’m not sure why I requested this book?
I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to identify with Noor, being that she’s from the slums of a third world country and I’m middle class American. I was wrong, she was so easy to empathize with. That in itself is a true testament to an authors abilities.
I was afraid that the subject matter would be too dark—and it is—but the way the book is written, it doesn’t feel so dark. That’s not to say the author sugar coats things, she simply gives as much detail about the horrors of Noor’s world as a young reader needs. I cried more than once reading this book and I know if the author had chosen to go darker with more details, I would not have been able to finish, and I would not have been able to expand my world view via this book.
I would love to see Fifteen Lanes in schools. This book sheds a whole new light on #firstworldproblems. This book makes me want to do more for the world.
To sum it all up, my final status update for this book on Goodreads when I reached the end: In tears. Wow.
Format: ARC Ebook (Kindle)
My Book Rating: 4.5 Stars
Genre: YA Contemporary
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
When I requested this book from NetGalley, I’m not really sure what I was thinking. I like a certain type of book and I don’t often deviate. When I deviate, I usually end up disappointed. So, while I have no clue what made me think I’d enjoy this book, I’m glad I clicked the REQUEST button, because this book will stay with me for a very long time.
“There is a whole world of possibilities beyond our fifteen lanes”
Fifteen Lanes is a story of two girls in India, told in dual perspectives. Noor is a a young teen girl living in a brothel in the slums of India. Her mother is a sex worker and she knows it’s only time before she herself is sold off into the sex trade. Until then, she attends a school where nobody knows her true identity, and she cares for her younger sister and brother. She dares to dream that maybe someday she can escape this life and rent a room for herself, her mother, her siblings, and all of her friends who are slaves to the brothel.
Meanwhile, across town, there’s fifteen year old rich, white girl, Grace. She has problems of her own when she becomes the victim of malicious bullying. Her problems may not be as bad as Noor’s, but we all have our limits, and Grace has reached hers.
Can two girls from two completely different worlds save each other?
Side by side Noor and Grace are night and day. They live in completely different worlds and are going through completely different ordeals, but together they form a friendship. I wish the book had given more time to develop their friendship, as they met after the 50% point in the book and probably only saw each other on two separate occasions before the books climax.
You would think that Grace, who has never gone hungry, never slept on the streets, would be the stronger of the girls, but it’s Noor. Noor has been through hell, it’s all she knows. Of the two, she is the strongest and in the end, they have to save each other.
I think the book could have worked (possibly better?) just telling Noor’s side of the story, however giving the reader Grace’s POV may help some readers who are either unable to identify with Noor, or hesitant to even start the book because they’re afraid to dive into a culture so different from their own.
Remember when I said that I read what I know I’ll like, and I’m not sure why I requested this book?
I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to identify with Noor, being that she’s from the slums of a third world country and I’m middle class American. I was wrong, she was so easy to empathize with. That in itself is a true testament to an authors abilities.
I was afraid that the subject matter would be too dark—and it is—but the way the book is written, it doesn’t feel so dark. That’s not to say the author sugar coats things, she simply gives as much detail about the horrors of Noor’s world as a young reader needs. I cried more than once reading this book and I know if the author had chosen to go darker with more details, I would not have been able to finish, and I would not have been able to expand my world view via this book.
I would love to see Fifteen Lanes in schools. This book sheds a whole new light on #firstworldproblems. This book makes me want to do more for the world.
To sum it all up, my final status update for this book on Goodreads when I reached the end: In tears. Wow.
February 1, 2016
**I was given an ARC of this book by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review **
S.J. Laidlaw's Fifteen Lanes was, at times, a difficult book to get through - but not because of its prose; the *content* was incredibly sad. Still, having two stories (Noor's and Grace's) told side by side (until they coalesced) kept this book from becoming too heavy. (Even though, honestly, both girls were going through very dark times in very different ways.)
This book is most certainly a must-read, if for no other reason than the way it sheds light on a situation being faced by approximately 15 million people in India alone. The story is told in a matter of fact way, not melodramatic or morbid - there are moments of levity and even beauty (especially in Noor's strength and ferocious love for her siblings). I think the only critical feedback I'd have is that the arc of Grace's story felt somewhat rushed and tied up a little too neatly. For example, when her parents find out she's been cutting, they're sad and horrified but then everyone hugs and the moment is just...anti-climactic. I personally wouldn't have minded the book being longer to flesh out Grace's storyline a bit.
Really enjoyed this story. Broke my heart, but also inspired me.
S.J. Laidlaw's Fifteen Lanes was, at times, a difficult book to get through - but not because of its prose; the *content* was incredibly sad. Still, having two stories (Noor's and Grace's) told side by side (until they coalesced) kept this book from becoming too heavy. (Even though, honestly, both girls were going through very dark times in very different ways.)
This book is most certainly a must-read, if for no other reason than the way it sheds light on a situation being faced by approximately 15 million people in India alone. The story is told in a matter of fact way, not melodramatic or morbid - there are moments of levity and even beauty (especially in Noor's strength and ferocious love for her siblings). I think the only critical feedback I'd have is that the arc of Grace's story felt somewhat rushed and tied up a little too neatly. For example, when her parents find out she's been cutting, they're sad and horrified but then everyone hugs and the moment is just...anti-climactic. I personally wouldn't have minded the book being longer to flesh out Grace's storyline a bit.
Really enjoyed this story. Broke my heart, but also inspired me.
August 10, 2017
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Thinking of India, most people from the Western world probably think (or want to think) of Bollywood, the Taj Mahal and maybe the economy. But slums, sex workers and children born with HIV? Nah, no thank you. Thanks to this book, though, readers are forced to face these very real and important issues.
Noor is the daughter of a prostitute, caring for her siblings and faced with the prospect of soon having to work in the sex trade as well. Grace is a foreigner at an international school, rich and well protected, but nevertheless having her own bundle of problems. Even before the two of them meet and their worlds collide head-on, the reader is presented with the contrast between the two lives. Overall, the novel presents a seemingly complete picture of a complex country unlike any I have seen before. However, it even goes beyond that by including issues of feminism, racism and LGBT.
I especially liked the contrasting of the views on sexuality: while Grace is shamed and ridiculed (and punishes herself) for sexting a nude photo, Noor probably would not even flinch at a topless woman, because she has seen much worse. That being said, be advised that this book needs a trigger warning for rape and self-harm. These are tough issues (in both worlds) and there are some pretty bad moments. I liked that it was not at all black and white - it was not all bad in Noor's life, as she was sometimes more happy (especially in school) than Grace was, and it was not all fluffy and heavenly in Grace's world.
The characters were very well written and their reaction to one another (and the other's world) seemed realistic. I liked their development, as well. But while I do understand the need to include backstory on both of them, I felt they met a bit too late into the novel and then didn't get enough time together. I would have read an extra 100 pages or so to see to see their friendship develop! While there were a few unlucky choices of phrasing, the overall style was good and the real-life experience of the author shone through, particularly when the slum was described through Grace's eyes. That added to the realistic vibe of the book.
I also liked the non-sugary happy ending. It could have easily become too much, but it just managed to scrape by that. So, with a few minor details that were not entirely my taste, this still ended up being a good novel worth reading.
Thinking of India, most people from the Western world probably think (or want to think) of Bollywood, the Taj Mahal and maybe the economy. But slums, sex workers and children born with HIV? Nah, no thank you. Thanks to this book, though, readers are forced to face these very real and important issues.
Noor is the daughter of a prostitute, caring for her siblings and faced with the prospect of soon having to work in the sex trade as well. Grace is a foreigner at an international school, rich and well protected, but nevertheless having her own bundle of problems. Even before the two of them meet and their worlds collide head-on, the reader is presented with the contrast between the two lives. Overall, the novel presents a seemingly complete picture of a complex country unlike any I have seen before. However, it even goes beyond that by including issues of feminism, racism and LGBT.
I especially liked the contrasting of the views on sexuality: while Grace is shamed and ridiculed (and punishes herself) for sexting a nude photo, Noor probably would not even flinch at a topless woman, because she has seen much worse. That being said, be advised that this book needs a trigger warning for rape and self-harm. These are tough issues (in both worlds) and there are some pretty bad moments. I liked that it was not at all black and white - it was not all bad in Noor's life, as she was sometimes more happy (especially in school) than Grace was, and it was not all fluffy and heavenly in Grace's world.
The characters were very well written and their reaction to one another (and the other's world) seemed realistic. I liked their development, as well. But while I do understand the need to include backstory on both of them, I felt they met a bit too late into the novel and then didn't get enough time together. I would have read an extra 100 pages or so to see to see their friendship develop! While there were a few unlucky choices of phrasing, the overall style was good and the real-life experience of the author shone through, particularly when the slum was described through Grace's eyes. That added to the realistic vibe of the book.
I also liked the non-sugary happy ending. It could have easily become too much, but it just managed to scrape by that. So, with a few minor details that were not entirely my taste, this still ended up being a good novel worth reading.
June 25, 2017
Disclaimer: I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Actual rating: 4.5
Grace was a girl from one of the richer neighbourhoods in Mumbai. After her best friend Tina and brother Kyle moved away, she found herself lonely and desperate for companion. However, one wrong step and she ended up being bullied and shunned by her schoolmates.
Noor was a girl from one of the poorest neighbourhoods in Mumbai. Being the daughter of a sex worker, her life was always difficult and at risk of being sold to a brothel as well.
When these two girls with different backgrounds came across each other through a community service programme, Grace found strength and courage in Noor while Noor gained a glimpse at the outside world where it gave her hope that life could be so much better.
Quoted from the author's note - "While this book is a work of fiction, it's based on lives that are all too real." The author, Laidlaw volunteers in a red-light district in Mumbai - Kamathipura - the same poor neighbourhood described in the book.
The book tells the story from the perspectives of two characters, Grace and Noor, giving you a taste of the lives from both worlds. I definitely disagree that Grace's situation is nothing and minor compared to that of Noor's. Perhaps when compared to Noor's, Grace's situation may seem less complicated and life-threatening, but bear in mind that it tells the story a young girl who felt lonely and would do anything to have someone to hear her out, ended up being betrayed and humiliated by the in public. Bullying is not a small problem that can be ignored.
While sex trafficking is the main theme of the story, there is also the attempt to address more social problems such as homosexuality, teenage bully and discrimination. I really like the writing style as well, simple yet impactful. Though there are no gory and explicit details to make you squirm, it still makes an impression through well-researched and believable details. While personally I don't find the ending satisfying, this is just how life is.
Actual rating: 4.5
Grace was a girl from one of the richer neighbourhoods in Mumbai. After her best friend Tina and brother Kyle moved away, she found herself lonely and desperate for companion. However, one wrong step and she ended up being bullied and shunned by her schoolmates.
Noor was a girl from one of the poorest neighbourhoods in Mumbai. Being the daughter of a sex worker, her life was always difficult and at risk of being sold to a brothel as well.
When these two girls with different backgrounds came across each other through a community service programme, Grace found strength and courage in Noor while Noor gained a glimpse at the outside world where it gave her hope that life could be so much better.
Quoted from the author's note - "While this book is a work of fiction, it's based on lives that are all too real." The author, Laidlaw volunteers in a red-light district in Mumbai - Kamathipura - the same poor neighbourhood described in the book.
The book tells the story from the perspectives of two characters, Grace and Noor, giving you a taste of the lives from both worlds. I definitely disagree that Grace's situation is nothing and minor compared to that of Noor's. Perhaps when compared to Noor's, Grace's situation may seem less complicated and life-threatening, but bear in mind that it tells the story a young girl who felt lonely and would do anything to have someone to hear her out, ended up being betrayed and humiliated by the in public. Bullying is not a small problem that can be ignored.
While sex trafficking is the main theme of the story, there is also the attempt to address more social problems such as homosexuality, teenage bully and discrimination. I really like the writing style as well, simple yet impactful. Though there are no gory and explicit details to make you squirm, it still makes an impression through well-researched and believable details. While personally I don't find the ending satisfying, this is just how life is.
January 11, 2016
I received a copy from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
This was a great read, I would definitely recommend this to the teens at my library.
Brief synopsis (mild spoilers) :
This book is about two girls from very different socio-economic statuses crossing paths and becoming friends. Noor lives in the Kamathipura Red Light District in Mumbai. Her mother is a sex worker and Noor lives in the brothel that her mother works in. Noor takes care of her younger siblings and also goes to school. On the other end of the socio-economic spectrum, Grace goes to a international school in a wealthy district of Mumbai. She is the victim of a cyber bullying attack and her world is falling apart. Chance circumstances allow these girls to cross paths and help each other.
Reading the author's note at the end of the book gave insight to her personal experiences with the Kamathipura Red Light District in Mumbai. Noor's narrative seemed to have more gravitas and not just because of the brothel setting. It seemed the author had a much easier time bringing Noor's story to life than Grace's. A lot of the time Grace's story felt forced. All in all though, this was a great book. I would definitely recommend it to the teens at my library.
This was a great read, I would definitely recommend this to the teens at my library.
Brief synopsis (mild spoilers) :
This book is about two girls from very different socio-economic statuses crossing paths and becoming friends. Noor lives in the Kamathipura Red Light District in Mumbai. Her mother is a sex worker and Noor lives in the brothel that her mother works in. Noor takes care of her younger siblings and also goes to school. On the other end of the socio-economic spectrum, Grace goes to a international school in a wealthy district of Mumbai. She is the victim of a cyber bullying attack and her world is falling apart. Chance circumstances allow these girls to cross paths and help each other.
Reading the author's note at the end of the book gave insight to her personal experiences with the Kamathipura Red Light District in Mumbai. Noor's narrative seemed to have more gravitas and not just because of the brothel setting. It seemed the author had a much easier time bringing Noor's story to life than Grace's. A lot of the time Grace's story felt forced. All in all though, this was a great book. I would definitely recommend it to the teens at my library.
March 17, 2016
There are just few books that can bring tears to my eyes, but Fifteen Lanes made me feel emotional at every page. Including discussions of rape, abuse, bullying, self harm, suicide, sex traffic (and so many other subjects) this is not an easy read at all. Still, such a needed story to be told.
In this book we have the stories of Grace and Noor, two very different girls from different worlds. Although they face very distinct hard times one thing it's always clear: the world we live in it's not easy for a girl.
More than anything, I feel like this is the story of Noor. She is the shinning star of this book and such an amazing character. Her love for her family and friends and her strength were such beautiful things to read about. Even in hard times, Noor always had a way of helping others and surviving. In the end, Grace and Noor saved each other in their own ways. All they needed was someone to hold their hands as they lead the way to recovering and a better life.
I read this in less than two days because I just couldn't stop. Every chapter made me more intrigued and anxious to know what was going to happen with the characters. I couldn't just put it down. For sure, I'll be reading the author's other books soon enough.
In this book we have the stories of Grace and Noor, two very different girls from different worlds. Although they face very distinct hard times one thing it's always clear: the world we live in it's not easy for a girl.
More than anything, I feel like this is the story of Noor. She is the shinning star of this book and such an amazing character. Her love for her family and friends and her strength were such beautiful things to read about. Even in hard times, Noor always had a way of helping others and surviving. In the end, Grace and Noor saved each other in their own ways. All they needed was someone to hold their hands as they lead the way to recovering and a better life.
I read this in less than two days because I just couldn't stop. Every chapter made me more intrigued and anxious to know what was going to happen with the characters. I couldn't just put it down. For sure, I'll be reading the author's other books soon enough.
March 25, 2016
I was sent a copy of this by Tundra Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review :
Actual rating for this book is 4.4 stars. This story was such a raw and tragic one which definitely brought tears to my eyes and gripped me right from the beginning. Fifteen Lanes contains serious issues such as sexual abuse, self-harm and others, seen through the lives of two teenager girls, Noor and Grace who have vastly different lives. This story is about Mumbai's red light district and despite it being fictional, this story opened up my eyes to the dark things that are in fact happening in such places to other girls like Noor. I appreciated how both of our characters are facing different problems and how each of the girls' problems do not invalidate and overshadow the other's, because everybody's view on hardship differs according to your lives. I also appreciated on how other characters in this story also face their own problems, some of them much worse than what Noor and Grace are facing. I personally loved Noor as a character; she was such a strong person despite being so young. This story was executed really well and should be read by everyone(but not those at a young age). Definitely a book that I would recommend to many people.
Actual rating for this book is 4.4 stars. This story was such a raw and tragic one which definitely brought tears to my eyes and gripped me right from the beginning. Fifteen Lanes contains serious issues such as sexual abuse, self-harm and others, seen through the lives of two teenager girls, Noor and Grace who have vastly different lives. This story is about Mumbai's red light district and despite it being fictional, this story opened up my eyes to the dark things that are in fact happening in such places to other girls like Noor. I appreciated how both of our characters are facing different problems and how each of the girls' problems do not invalidate and overshadow the other's, because everybody's view on hardship differs according to your lives. I also appreciated on how other characters in this story also face their own problems, some of them much worse than what Noor and Grace are facing. I personally loved Noor as a character; she was such a strong person despite being so young. This story was executed really well and should be read by everyone(but not those at a young age). Definitely a book that I would recommend to many people.
December 27, 2018
Here are the things that I like:
- An exhaustive description of the sad plight of sex workers in India. You can really tell that the author knows what she is writing about.
- I love both Noor and Grace. Both characters made me teary-eyed.
- Involvement of parents in their children's dilemma.
- The injustice of social stratification in India is always looming in the book.
- I felt that I'm in India myself while reading the book: caste system, Indian food, Bollywood, language.
Read my full review here.
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- An exhaustive description of the sad plight of sex workers in India. You can really tell that the author knows what she is writing about.
- I love both Noor and Grace. Both characters made me teary-eyed.
- Involvement of parents in their children's dilemma.
- The injustice of social stratification in India is always looming in the book.
- I felt that I'm in India myself while reading the book: caste system, Indian food, Bollywood, language.
Read my full review here.
Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Google+ | Bloglovin' | Pinterest
March 5, 2016
This book handles an incredibly important topic - the children of India's sex workers - in a touching and realistic manner. Noor's story was well handled and often terrifying.
Unfortunately, Grace's story pales in comparison, and she comes off as a selfish and naive Western teenager who is pretty much unaware of most things in life. I think this book tries to handle too many serious topics, something which doesn't work as well for Grace's storyline. Her problems seem insignificant despite being very serious too.
I do recommend reading this book as it gives valuable insight into a rarely handled topic (in YA, anyway), and I also believe that privileged teens reading this story will benefit from seeing Grace's perspective.
Unfortunately, Grace's story pales in comparison, and she comes off as a selfish and naive Western teenager who is pretty much unaware of most things in life. I think this book tries to handle too many serious topics, something which doesn't work as well for Grace's storyline. Her problems seem insignificant despite being very serious too.
I do recommend reading this book as it gives valuable insight into a rarely handled topic (in YA, anyway), and I also believe that privileged teens reading this story will benefit from seeing Grace's perspective.
April 30, 2024
2.5⭐️
This book was written on very relevant and important crises in our world today-hence the extra .5 stars. I admire the author for writing and speaking up on topics like these.
Although the message the good, the story was not too great. The author’s writing style was simplistic and, frankly, bad. The way the characters spoke and thought was very unnatural. The plot was okay, but the ending was extremely rushed.
Overall, I think that this book had its ups and downs and could be better if the author changed her writing style.
This book was written on very relevant and important crises in our world today-hence the extra .5 stars. I admire the author for writing and speaking up on topics like these.
Although the message the good, the story was not too great. The author’s writing style was simplistic and, frankly, bad. The way the characters spoke and thought was very unnatural. The plot was okay, but the ending was extremely rushed.
Overall, I think that this book had its ups and downs and could be better if the author changed her writing style.
January 26, 2016
Star Rating: ★★★3/4
This is a really, really important book. It gives you a view of what it's really like to live in the red light district in India. I really want to visit there now and join an organization to help these young girls escape from their fate of working in the sex industry like their mothers.
"'There is a whole world of possibilities beyond our fifteen lanes. Don't you want more for yourself?"
This book follows two girls, Noor and Grace. Let's start with Noor, since I think her story is the most important:
"'How much for the girl?' he demanded.
'She's not yet working.'
'I'd pay a lot for a fresh girl.'"
Noor is the daughter of a sex worker living in Mumbai's red light district. She is fourteen years old, yet has already seen more than most people could imagine. In the brothel, she has close-tied bonds with other women working there and with her two younger siblings. She knows that she will end up like her mother as a sex worker unless she can find a way out of the fifteen lanes.
Grace, on the other hand, lived a life opposing to Noor's. Her father is a wealthy CEO, she goes to a good school, and lives in luxury. After her family relocates to Mumbai, Grace is heartbroken over having to leave behind all her friends and start fresh. She becomes targeted by a group of mean girls who send a picture of her to the whole school. They treat her horribly and bully her to no extent. Grace suffers from depression because of these girls.
"My image on the Internet would be an eternal reminder. The bullying wasn't going to stop. The only way to end it was if I ended it."
The two girls meet through a program to help daughters of sex workers, and both girls lives are changed forever.
This book has such an important message, I want everyone to read it. So many people take their good, privileged lives for granted. This book made me think about my life in a whole new perspective and I think it would for others, too. I agree with other reviewers who have said that this book should come with a trigger warning because it contains a lot about rape and depression. The writing may not have been very good, but I think you have to focus on the message. The only reason I didn't give it four stars was because the writing wasn't good.
From the author's note:
"...there are an estimated 15 million people in India who have been trafficked into sex work. More than a third are children, some as young as nine years old, sold into sexual slavery to satisfy an increasing demand for younger girls. Daughters of sex workers are at particular risk."
Please note that all quotations used in this review were taken from an advanced reader's copy. I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a really, really important book. It gives you a view of what it's really like to live in the red light district in India. I really want to visit there now and join an organization to help these young girls escape from their fate of working in the sex industry like their mothers.
"'There is a whole world of possibilities beyond our fifteen lanes. Don't you want more for yourself?"
This book follows two girls, Noor and Grace. Let's start with Noor, since I think her story is the most important:
"'How much for the girl?' he demanded.
'She's not yet working.'
'I'd pay a lot for a fresh girl.'"
Noor is the daughter of a sex worker living in Mumbai's red light district. She is fourteen years old, yet has already seen more than most people could imagine. In the brothel, she has close-tied bonds with other women working there and with her two younger siblings. She knows that she will end up like her mother as a sex worker unless she can find a way out of the fifteen lanes.
Grace, on the other hand, lived a life opposing to Noor's. Her father is a wealthy CEO, she goes to a good school, and lives in luxury. After her family relocates to Mumbai, Grace is heartbroken over having to leave behind all her friends and start fresh. She becomes targeted by a group of mean girls who send a picture of her to the whole school. They treat her horribly and bully her to no extent. Grace suffers from depression because of these girls.
"My image on the Internet would be an eternal reminder. The bullying wasn't going to stop. The only way to end it was if I ended it."
The two girls meet through a program to help daughters of sex workers, and both girls lives are changed forever.
This book has such an important message, I want everyone to read it. So many people take their good, privileged lives for granted. This book made me think about my life in a whole new perspective and I think it would for others, too. I agree with other reviewers who have said that this book should come with a trigger warning because it contains a lot about rape and depression. The writing may not have been very good, but I think you have to focus on the message. The only reason I didn't give it four stars was because the writing wasn't good.
From the author's note:
"...there are an estimated 15 million people in India who have been trafficked into sex work. More than a third are children, some as young as nine years old, sold into sexual slavery to satisfy an increasing demand for younger girls. Daughters of sex workers are at particular risk."
Please note that all quotations used in this review were taken from an advanced reader's copy. I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 4, 2016
This is raw. Very raw. It hurts to read certain scenes and knowing Laidlaw has worked to improve lives and educate people about the children in third world counties and dedicates the book to those who may never have the opportunity to read a book like this, no doubt her characters here are based on the myriad of girls she has met along the way and is giving voice to their stories.
Noor and Grace are the two characters and while Grace's story is necessary to break up the darkness of Noor's story, it sometimes detracts from what is the importance of the entire story. Grace has taken a topless photo of herself and sent it to (who she thinks) is a boy interested in her. It goes viral and her small popularity because instant negative popularity and (in a bit of a cliched move) she then does community service where she meets Noor. Noor's struggle is in being the oldest child living in a brothel where her mother entertains men all night and sleeps during the day. Noor is trying to get an education and is shamed by a father at the school once it's discovered she is the daughter of a prostitute and getting better grades than everyone. It's the hopelessness of Noor's situation that is entirely consuming. Readers are introduced to the auntie's who all share rooms, only separated by a curtain as they're abused each night and beaten by evil madam's and their henchmen. Then Shami, Noor's younger brother is born and it is discovered that he has HIV. Noor lives in constant crisis-- taking care of her mother whose health is failing, Shami who is sickly from birth, Noor's friend who is being raped each night, Noor trying to still get an education with those rooting her on and hoping she can change her circumstance. The scene where the father is trying to "out her" and she turns to throw up after he admits to knowing that her brother is sick and her mother is a prostitute tears at readers.
What I disliked reminded me a bit like McCormick's Cut. It's too happy by the end with a few circumstances that seem too well-planned to happen and there's a few additional obstacles for both characters that also add a few too many layers when a true focus on sex trafficking would have sufficed (namely Grace's cutting/physical abuse of her body as a response to her public shame, introducing VJ's character, not just his over-the-top personality but also his sexuality, these hints at elements of trafficking that either needed to be dropped or fleshed out with the owner of the brothel or Pran, the men who visit).
The reality is that this book is important but I can see many teens being emotionally overwhelmed as an adult, I was. So necessary.
"I stared at the drink that cost many times the price of my mother, or as much as a month of medicine for Shami."
"Everyone I loved was in prison, everyone but Lali-didi. Only she was free."
Noor and Grace are the two characters and while Grace's story is necessary to break up the darkness of Noor's story, it sometimes detracts from what is the importance of the entire story. Grace has taken a topless photo of herself and sent it to (who she thinks) is a boy interested in her. It goes viral and her small popularity because instant negative popularity and (in a bit of a cliched move) she then does community service where she meets Noor. Noor's struggle is in being the oldest child living in a brothel where her mother entertains men all night and sleeps during the day. Noor is trying to get an education and is shamed by a father at the school once it's discovered she is the daughter of a prostitute and getting better grades than everyone. It's the hopelessness of Noor's situation that is entirely consuming. Readers are introduced to the auntie's who all share rooms, only separated by a curtain as they're abused each night and beaten by evil madam's and their henchmen. Then Shami, Noor's younger brother is born and it is discovered that he has HIV. Noor lives in constant crisis-- taking care of her mother whose health is failing, Shami who is sickly from birth, Noor's friend who is being raped each night, Noor trying to still get an education with those rooting her on and hoping she can change her circumstance. The scene where the father is trying to "out her" and she turns to throw up after he admits to knowing that her brother is sick and her mother is a prostitute tears at readers.
What I disliked reminded me a bit like McCormick's Cut. It's too happy by the end with a few circumstances that seem too well-planned to happen and there's a few additional obstacles for both characters that also add a few too many layers when a true focus on sex trafficking would have sufficed (namely Grace's cutting/physical abuse of her body as a response to her public shame, introducing VJ's character, not just his over-the-top personality but also his sexuality, these hints at elements of trafficking that either needed to be dropped or fleshed out with the owner of the brothel or Pran, the men who visit).
The reality is that this book is important but I can see many teens being emotionally overwhelmed as an adult, I was. So necessary.
"I stared at the drink that cost many times the price of my mother, or as much as a month of medicine for Shami."
"Everyone I loved was in prison, everyone but Lali-didi. Only she was free."
February 4, 2016
I received a free copy of this book from Tundra Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
There are so many books out there that provide a sugarcoated view of the world around us, as well as many more that are told from the point of view of narrators who lead privileged lives, have a safe home, a loving family, enough food to eat, a bed to sleep in, opportunities and rights. I, too, lead this life, and will admit that sometimes I take it for granted. That's why it was so interesting for me to read S.J. Laidlaw's Fifteen Lanes, a poignant, powerful tale of two girls whose lives are very different from mine.
The story is centered around two main characters, Noor and Grace, who live in India. Noor is the daughter of a sex worker and is destined to have the same future as her mother. She and her younger siblings live in the brothel where their mother works, under terrible and excessively strict conditions. The three children have formed close relationships with the other women there, as well, and some of them are like family. As Noor grows up and watches the people she loves suffer, she wishes for a way out of this awful life. Grace, however, grows up in a rich family, but underneath the surface her life is not so perfect. After her best and only friend moves, Grace has trouble making friends and is bullied mercilessly by a group of girls. The bullying is taken to the next level after a scandal involving a viral photo occurs, and Grace's life takes a turn for the worse. The girls' lives are pretty different, but they are connected in other ways and form a close relationship.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was nice to read something that was not glossed over or sugar coated, and that provided a realistic and exposing view of real-world problems and experiences. Though the writing wasn't amazing, this book was great because it had dynamic, unique characters and a well-developed setting. Since Laidlaw has worked at an NGO herself, it is to be expected that her description of India would be true to reality, and in this book it did not disappoint. I have read many books that take place in other countries or cultures, and many of them have been racist or inaccurate. The struggles that the characters, both major and minor, go through are also depicted very realistically, though I do agree with other reviewers' saying that this book should come with a trigger warning. For me, it was nice to read something that really opened my eyes to the world around me. By the end of the novel, there were tears in my eyes.
This is one of those books that could lead to positive real-world change regarding the subject matter. As an sensitive and well-read feminist, I definitely approve of Fifteen Lanes.
Rating: 3.5-4 out of 5 stars
There are so many books out there that provide a sugarcoated view of the world around us, as well as many more that are told from the point of view of narrators who lead privileged lives, have a safe home, a loving family, enough food to eat, a bed to sleep in, opportunities and rights. I, too, lead this life, and will admit that sometimes I take it for granted. That's why it was so interesting for me to read S.J. Laidlaw's Fifteen Lanes, a poignant, powerful tale of two girls whose lives are very different from mine.
The story is centered around two main characters, Noor and Grace, who live in India. Noor is the daughter of a sex worker and is destined to have the same future as her mother. She and her younger siblings live in the brothel where their mother works, under terrible and excessively strict conditions. The three children have formed close relationships with the other women there, as well, and some of them are like family. As Noor grows up and watches the people she loves suffer, she wishes for a way out of this awful life. Grace, however, grows up in a rich family, but underneath the surface her life is not so perfect. After her best and only friend moves, Grace has trouble making friends and is bullied mercilessly by a group of girls. The bullying is taken to the next level after a scandal involving a viral photo occurs, and Grace's life takes a turn for the worse. The girls' lives are pretty different, but they are connected in other ways and form a close relationship.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was nice to read something that was not glossed over or sugar coated, and that provided a realistic and exposing view of real-world problems and experiences. Though the writing wasn't amazing, this book was great because it had dynamic, unique characters and a well-developed setting. Since Laidlaw has worked at an NGO herself, it is to be expected that her description of India would be true to reality, and in this book it did not disappoint. I have read many books that take place in other countries or cultures, and many of them have been racist or inaccurate. The struggles that the characters, both major and minor, go through are also depicted very realistically, though I do agree with other reviewers' saying that this book should come with a trigger warning. For me, it was nice to read something that really opened my eyes to the world around me. By the end of the novel, there were tears in my eyes.
This is one of those books that could lead to positive real-world change regarding the subject matter. As an sensitive and well-read feminist, I definitely approve of Fifteen Lanes.
Rating: 3.5-4 out of 5 stars
April 7, 2021
I'm so glad I found this book! This is one of the most impactful, raw, and heartbreaking books I've ever read. The way it talks about such big world issues so openly and honestly is amazing. This is a book I definitely think should be taught and incorporated into conversations since it shows the harsh realities of the world at the moment. For me, it was very similar to Night by Elie Weisel. 100 percent recommend but warning, it has themes of rape, self-harm, abuse, poverty, etc.
May 24, 2016
Considering the subject matter, I'm finding it difficult to write a review of Fifteen Lanes that I'm happy with. The book's narration switches between two girls with very different lives. Noor is the daughter of a sex worker who has lived in the same brothel her entire life, and despite her mother's determination to give her an education when those around her say that educating a female child is worthless, Noor's odds of escaping are almost nonexistent as the brothel owner already views her as his property.
Then there's Grace, a rich North American girl whose father runs a large company in Mumbai. She's never felt like she fits in and becomes even more ostracized by her peers when she's betrayed by those she was trying to befriend.
While you learn both girls' stories, Noor is undoubtedly the focus of the book. The point-of-view of the chapters does not just go back and forth between the girls each chapter, and while I didn't count, I do believe that Noor has quite a few more chapters than Grace.
In the end, Grace's story is there to support Noor's story, which is interesting to me because what happens to Grace throughout the novel would be enough to support a novel on its own. For that reason, I would have thought the book wouldn't work well, but it actually did in my opinion. While I think the novel could have been great without Grace's story, I did enjoy reading both girl's chapters and seeing how their stories intertwined with each other.
From the author's note at the end of the story, you learn that the author of the book works at an NGO like those described in the book itself, and it is also clear that she wanted to tell this story the "right" way. She says that it took her a long time to write for that reason, and I think it comes across in the book how important of a topic this is to her and how carefully she approached this story.
It's hard to call this an enjoyable read when it's heart-wrenching and often difficult to read. Laidlaw doesn't shy away from sharing the horrors of Noor's life, but there is also so much good within the story inside Noor and many of the other characters. I would highly recommend this book.
I received this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
http://hmweasley-blog.blogspot.com/20...
Then there's Grace, a rich North American girl whose father runs a large company in Mumbai. She's never felt like she fits in and becomes even more ostracized by her peers when she's betrayed by those she was trying to befriend.
While you learn both girls' stories, Noor is undoubtedly the focus of the book. The point-of-view of the chapters does not just go back and forth between the girls each chapter, and while I didn't count, I do believe that Noor has quite a few more chapters than Grace.
In the end, Grace's story is there to support Noor's story, which is interesting to me because what happens to Grace throughout the novel would be enough to support a novel on its own. For that reason, I would have thought the book wouldn't work well, but it actually did in my opinion. While I think the novel could have been great without Grace's story, I did enjoy reading both girl's chapters and seeing how their stories intertwined with each other.
From the author's note at the end of the story, you learn that the author of the book works at an NGO like those described in the book itself, and it is also clear that she wanted to tell this story the "right" way. She says that it took her a long time to write for that reason, and I think it comes across in the book how important of a topic this is to her and how carefully she approached this story.
It's hard to call this an enjoyable read when it's heart-wrenching and often difficult to read. Laidlaw doesn't shy away from sharing the horrors of Noor's life, but there is also so much good within the story inside Noor and many of the other characters. I would highly recommend this book.
I received this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
http://hmweasley-blog.blogspot.com/20...
May 10, 2016
Real Score: 4.5/5
I requested a review copy of Fifteen Lanes from Penguin Random House Canada.
Video Review: https://youtu.be/0EA8S3WJ5D0
Best way to describe Fifteen Lanes by S.J. Laidlaw is POWERFUL.
We follow the lives of Noor and Grace, girls who come form different walks of life but face the challenges of gender, class, shame and acceptance. Noor, the daughter of a sex worker from Mumbai, India, works hard in school to make a better life for her and her family. However, she faces the harsh barriers and judgment of others that come from her socio-economic class, gender and her home life. Grace, the daughter of a CEO, struggles to find her place in high school as her family moves often. She is bullied, offline and online, and shamed because she was tricked into sending personal photos of herself to someone she thought she knew.
I was greatly surprised by how well Laidlaw balanced the issues and challenges both girls faced as individuals and as a collective. There were heavy topics covered in this YA novel, such as sexual violence, violence against women, shaming, bullying and equality. It would seem to be an overwhelming book, but instead, these topics and issues were all nicely discussed and illustrated by the narrative.
And if anything, this YA novel covers the importance of relationships and friendships. Noor and Grace may not become the closest of friends in the beginning, but they do form a long lasting friendship that takes them through their lives. However, I also greatly appreciated how Laidlaw covered other relationships the girls had with their families, communities and school. By doing so, the conflict and problems faced by the girls are also reflected as issues faced by the supporting characters too. Therefore, everyone had a stake in the overarching conflict.
Highly recommend everyone to check out this book.
I requested a review copy of Fifteen Lanes from Penguin Random House Canada.
Video Review: https://youtu.be/0EA8S3WJ5D0
Best way to describe Fifteen Lanes by S.J. Laidlaw is POWERFUL.
We follow the lives of Noor and Grace, girls who come form different walks of life but face the challenges of gender, class, shame and acceptance. Noor, the daughter of a sex worker from Mumbai, India, works hard in school to make a better life for her and her family. However, she faces the harsh barriers and judgment of others that come from her socio-economic class, gender and her home life. Grace, the daughter of a CEO, struggles to find her place in high school as her family moves often. She is bullied, offline and online, and shamed because she was tricked into sending personal photos of herself to someone she thought she knew.
I was greatly surprised by how well Laidlaw balanced the issues and challenges both girls faced as individuals and as a collective. There were heavy topics covered in this YA novel, such as sexual violence, violence against women, shaming, bullying and equality. It would seem to be an overwhelming book, but instead, these topics and issues were all nicely discussed and illustrated by the narrative.
And if anything, this YA novel covers the importance of relationships and friendships. Noor and Grace may not become the closest of friends in the beginning, but they do form a long lasting friendship that takes them through their lives. However, I also greatly appreciated how Laidlaw covered other relationships the girls had with their families, communities and school. By doing so, the conflict and problems faced by the girls are also reflected as issues faced by the supporting characters too. Therefore, everyone had a stake in the overarching conflict.
Highly recommend everyone to check out this book.
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