Out of Breath

by Julie Myerson

It's the summer holidays. And suddenly there's a strange boy at the bottom of Flynn's garden. Soon, she and her wayward brother Sam are walking out of the house in the middle of a hot summer's night and crossing four fields to find him again. But as well as the boy, Flynn and Sam find a whole gang of runaway kids. There's Diana, who's just had a baby. There's Mouse, who's only five and likes to set fire to things. And there is the boy himself, who stirs up feelings in Flynn that she's never felt before.But there's also someone else - the unspeakably malign and terrifying presence they're all running from. Escaping him, they stumble on an amazing and extraordinary house by a waterfall, a house which seems to offer safety and meets their every desire and need - or does it? The youngest character in the novel is one day old, and the oldest only seventeen. But the themes that lie at the heart of this ferociously original story are as adult, unsettling and universal as those of Julie Myerson's other novels.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Coming Of Age, Adventure, Mystery

304 pages, Paperback

First published February 7, 2008

About the author

Julie Myerson is the author of nine novels, including the internationally bestselling Something Might Happen, and three works of nonfiction. As a critic and columnist, she has written for many newspapers including The Guardian, Financial Times, Harper’s Bazaar, and the New York Times.

Reviews

[Claire Fuller]

This is an usual coming-of-age story about a thirteen-year-old girl called Flynn who runs away from home with her brother Sam. They team up with three others who have run away from the care system, and together the five of them set off across the fields. It's so hard to say much more without spoilers, but what I can say is that Myerson writes children and young people so well. Amongst the group is a six-year-old girl called Mouse - irritating, persistent, loveable - so perfectly written, she jumps off the page. There is an ambiguity at the heart of this novel and if that kind of thing annoys you, if you want answers to the questions that novels raise, then this book probably isn't for you, but if you're happy to be there for the brilliant characterisation, the great sense of place, and general weirdness, and I so am, then do read this.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very readable book that carries you along on a journey with the main characters and is full of mystery, sadly the ending was very ordinary and I felt the book would have been far better had it had more of fantasy/supernatural element. At times it almost seemed like the characters were in a fantasy world and whilst a lot of things were tied up at the end this was not really addressed sadly.

[Alexandra Nunney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started out fairly promisingly but the writing style and the immaturity of the characters really started to grate on me by about the halfway point. I understand that the characters are children but the teenage characters didn't seem altogether much more mature than the younger child.

[Vi Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars from me. An interesting rite of passage book. A 13 year old having trouble coping with her father getting involved in a new relationship, a mother who is struggling and an out of control older brother runs away with a group of kids who have far greater problems than her.

[Hazel Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall I was impressed with this read. I read Julie Myerson's 'Then' not so long back and vowed I would never read another. 'Then' was an incredibly emotional affecting story that literally broke my heart. However, on reflection it does take some kind of genius writing ability to really move your audience in this way, so I approached 'Out of Breath' with an open mind and a critical eye, just hoping for a happier story.
The observation of children, their carefree behaviors and interaction is spot on. Her characters are a bit gross (picking scabs, swearing and spitting)don't seem to have a long term plan, and this is completely believable. The main character worries for everyone else, and as an adult reader I was right there with her. It is an unpredictable piece of work that kept me engaged and riveted to the page for a few days.
My only criticism, like many other reviewers, is a slight disappointment with the ending. It felt a bit rushed, like the writer had just had enough and needed to tie it up quick and neat. It was rattled off in a tidy summary for the reader, no dramatization and it just didn't read true. The strength of this piece lies in those little details that make the ordinary quite special.
I recommend this book for sunny days out in the garden or a park to get the full effect. And to forgive the weak ending, for the rest was unusual and beautiful enough to win my heart.

[Georgia Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I literally have NO IDEA what just happened or what I just read. I don't really fully understand, though I will say it was an entertaining read. The layout of the book was strange; the way the speech wasn't set apart from the rest of the text, no speech marks at all. Still, it was easy enough to navigate.

I really do feel conflicted by the book as a whole because I feel like maybe I know what was happening but also I haven't a clue. I feel like I'm left wondering what really happened and what didn't, and I don't like being left with questions or uncertainty.

In saying that, I found myself enjoying the story, invested in all of the characters and enthralled by their weird and wonderful ways. I'm glad I read it, though slightly confused and ready for the next book, because it will annoy me to ruminate!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is the summer holidays when Flynn spies a boy at the end of her garden. Pretty soon, they are running away - with Diana and her newborn baby; young Mouse and Flynns' big brother Sam who is running before he can be turned in to the police. But they are not alone ... something or someone is following close on their heels.

If I hadn't read other Julie Myerson books then maybe I would have given it a higher rating. It was good, true Myerson style but the twist in it just didn't seem to have the same impact as 'Then' or the menace of 'The Quickening'.

I was disappointed really - spoilt by other Myerson books that are, in my opinion, far superior to this.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This felt very much like 'Five Run Away Together'. I love Julie Myerson's writing and that haunting quality it possesses, but this plot stretched my credibility rather too far. The surreal aspects to the novel lifted it above the ordinary and those scenes were enjoyable. I think, as other reviewers have said, that the ending lets the book down. The last few pages are pure exposition, telling the reader, rather than showing what happened. This seemed like cheating to me. The happily ever after ending wasn't entirely believable either.

All in all, rather a depressing read.

[Sue Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is unusual, there are numerous characters that will have you caught up in their lives. It follows a group of children on a journey both physical and emotional. I was so engrossed I could not put the book down. The ending was not what I expected, unusual and whilst it answered some questions it left you asking many more, however I am glad I read it, as I have read other books by Julie Myerson which I thoroughly enjoyed

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was good but felt the ending was a little disapointing. The whole book lead up to and insinuated something big would happen and i felt this never did. The ending was too happy and tieing up loose ends instead of adding anything to the story.

Besides the ending tho a good read and a page turner.

[The Bookish Wombat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm far from being the target age for this book, but bought it as I've read and enjoyed the author's previous books for adults. There are things to enjoy here, but I found that sometimes wasn't able to suspend my disbelief as much I needed to in order to enjoy it to the full. It's very dramatic, with a touch of fantasy, but for me it never really came to life.

[Jan Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A strange but haunting book about childhood and running away. It is rather surreal and doesn't bear too much analysis. Flynn our heroine and her fellow runaways are a strange crew. The anarchic Mouse livening up things. I wondered if it was aimed at youngsters but assume Mouse's bad language means it is not?

[Mary Lou · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was' nt sure if this was a young adult book, but I decided to just get on with it anyway and ending up enjoying the experience. Fabulous sad magical adventure, but built on sad and thought provoking circumstances. This is written in a lovely style- message well put across with no moralising

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to give it 3.5 stars... And I'm can't really write a review other than to say this book is strange and I'm really not sure how I feel about it. The ending does at least tie it all up in a nice sing bow, but I'm still left reeling from the weirdness of the story.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

An intriguing little tale, I'm still not quite sure what to make of it! Enjoyable though, and quite a quick easy read.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a kind of dark fairytale; a runaway girl and her friends find the perfect hideaway cottage which isn't all it seems. I had to keep reading to find out what would happen next.

[Alexandra Bengtsson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how the book is written. I don't think I ever have read a book like this one. The end is really strange. I can't decide if I like it or not...

[Els · Rating 4 out of 5]

a totally different view on runaway teenagers

[Shannen]

This book is something that I will definitely read again, I enjoyed the love connection between the characters and its a different story to what i have ever read.

[Nisansala]

not as good as I expected it to be. something seems to be missing

[June Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very unusual story, was a bit lost towards the end, what was real and what was fantasy, but I enjoyed it never the less

[Kym L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the worst book in the world, but totally strange to me.