Getting Out of the House

by Isla Dewar

As a child Nora waged war on her mother, Maisie. It relieved the hurt she felt when she overheard Maisie say she preferred her older daughter, Cathryn. Now, Nora lives in Edinburgh, far from her gaudily decorated suburban London home and the volatile Maisie. She is introduced to a circle of friends who all work in the same publisher's offices. In Brendan, the gentle deputy editor, she finds a friend who shares her deprecating humour, and fascination with trivia, as they chat and walk about town. And in Nathan, she finds a lover she adores.Though always braced for betrayal, this time it takes her by storm. It is only when she learns to forgive, and be forgiven, that she begins to come to terms with her past.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit

Paperback

First published December 8, 2011

About the author

Born in Edinburgh, Isla Dewar now lives in Fife with her husband, a cartoonist, and two sons. Her first novel, Keeping Up with Magda, published in 1995, has been followed by a string of bestsellers.

Reviews

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was all right. A lot of characters to keep track of and most of them were a mess.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the characters in this novel, especially Masie. I loved the story set in Edinburgh; it makes me want to go. I wasn't in love with the direction that Nora's story started to take towards the end of the novel, though I was happy for her finally. I loved the very end of the novel. I liked what Dewar implies about Nora and her mother, and Nora's future. Well done, very enjoyable book.

[Emmkay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pastel, flower-bedecked cover doesn’t do this novel justice. It’s a good, thoughtful, slow-paced read about family dynamics. The protagonist, Nora, has a difficult relationship with her big-personalitied (if it’s not a word it should be) mother, and moves from London to Edinburgh to ‘get out of the house.’ Over the ensuing years there are various developments as people’s lives arrange and re-arrange themselves, as they will. So, not lots of plot dramatics, but quite an enjoyable reading experience. 3.5 stars.

[Bookmaniac70 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novel quite to my liking. I`m always interested in novels which deal with family matters. Here we are introduced to an ordinary family- a working and detached father,a mother who passes her days in daydreaming,and two daughters-the bright one and the dumb one. Nora is the dumb one and after her mother declares once that she preferred her sister,Nora decided to go away from home. She finds a job and a few friends. Her life seems settled down until Alex,her father,leaves her mother for another woman. Maisie falls apart and cannot be left alone.It is agreed beforehandly that it should be Nora who has to quit her job and move in with her mother. However,Nora refuses to obey this plan and runs away for the second time.

I liked the way the characters evolved through the novel. They moved and changed,and also their relationship changed with the time.At the end,everyone from the family seemed to have settled some peace with himself.Each of them changed,and through this change managed to find a better relationship.

[Hilary Tesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just realised I was having a bit of a Nora moment about this book (and that I have them regularly about books on my “to read” pile) - you see, if it’s a favourite author, I can’t bear to know that I haven’t got anything left by that person to read! So it was only when some Amazon browsing revealed two books by Isla Dewar I hadn’t been aware of that I could tuck into this one!

The first few chapters felt uncomfortable - Nora suffering as she grows up from her mother’s thoughtless comment that she preferred her sister, her father’s quiet compliance, her sister held up as a paragon of everything good. Then Nora escapes to Edinburgh and the book takes off - it’s full of a combination of “normal” and quirky characters and striking moments when I thought - yes, that’s right, I recognise that moment/that person/ that emotion. And I loved the bittersweet ending - you just know the next thing Nora will say and that she’s found her place in life.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Amazon -
"As a child Nora waged war on her mother, Maisie. It relieved the hurt she felt when she overheard Maisie say she preferred her older daughter, Cathryn. Now, Nora lives in Edinburgh, far from her gaudily decorated suburban London home and the volatile Maisie. She is introduced to a circle of friends who all work in the same publisher's offices. In Brendan, the gentle deputy editor, she finds a friend who shares her deprecating humour, and fascination with trivia, as they chat and walk about town. And in Nathan, she finds a lover she adores.
Though always braced for betrayal, this time it takes her by storm. It is only when she learns to forgive, and be forgiven, that she begins to come to terms with her past."

I love Isla Dewar's books - she gets people and their emotions exactly right.

[Smitha Vasudevan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nora has always known that her mother did not like her, infact, she had overheard her mother say that she preferred her sister to her. That hurt has fashioned all her relationships. Though she is now living a new life, surrounded by new friends, finding love in unlikely places, her mother's condemnation is challenging all her attachments.

[Debby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every page pushed me forward to want to know more ,was good story telling .I will look for more Isla Dewar books .

[Barbara Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so funny and true. I enjoyed reading about the endearing characters and didn't want to leave them at the end of the book.

[Karlajansenmiller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to miss these characters.

[Mary Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable book. Family life and relationship described beautifully. Full of gentle humour.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprising 4 stars. A meandering book - lots of characters. I quite liked it all though at times it was unlikely.

[L · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first saw the book, it was in my college library and I only noticed it because I felt like reading something. So I just randomly laid my eyes on this book, noticing the title first. Then, I read the summary behind the book and knew that I had to read it. I never actually came across a book that had a main character who had a sister who everyone adored in comparison to her. I have a sister and I do find myself feel inferior every time I see our vast differences, her having the better differences. So, because I like to read, I always thought it would be interesting to read a story with a main character that I could relate to in terms of sister rivalry.

But whatever about that, the story is not completely about sisters. It is, as the title says, about getting out of the house. Sometimes, you just have to get out of the house and away from the frustrating family you have to live with for nearly your whole life. Sometimes, you just need to get out the house and find your own that you could feel at peace and at home and not always being pressured by stereotypes and expectations from your own family. This book has really told a brilliant story about a family and the people around them, mostly on Nora's friends (after all, Nora is kinda the main character) and how they learn to change and let go of the ones you love and learn to love again those you've left behind.

Let's just say, I read this book on a whim, because I was bored. But in the end, I'm glad I came across it! It is probably one of those rare random reads that I am given the chance to feel like I'm watching it real-time and will always leave me with the feeling of exhilaration, the feeling “Ah, that was a good read”, just like what anyone would say if they drank a good cup of coffee (but instead of 'read', 'coffee' is said). So all and all, this book is brilliantly written by Isla Dewar and completely relatable.

*SPOILER ALERT*


I really love the character developments by all the characters! In the end, Alex found another woman who was just like what Maisie was before she got too obsessed and controlling (which meant that Alex had always loved Maisie, but she didn't know how to love back, which was sad and pitiful), Maisie reconciled with both her daughters somewhat and finally got over her divorce with Alex, Cathryn was found out to be lesbian and left Clive (who was a good husband if she just opened her eyes and learned how to compromise), and Nora found someone she could love and be loved with!!! Throughout the story, I guess Nora's life was much interesting than Maisie's or Cathryn's. It was so sad when Brandon died at the end but I guess that had to come one way or another because of his reckless driving. I felt really irritated with Nathan and Lorna, like seriously. Don't even make me explain why. And I'm so happy Nora got a brilliant baby that grew up to be intelligent in his own way yet imaginative in his own way. But what I was most elated of in the story is when George ended up with Nora. They. Were. Meant. To. Be. SOULMATES. I probably want a sequel (or an epilogue at least) only because I want to see more of Nora an George and how Luke likes George more than his real father. *laughs evilly* I loved how George was so aloof, so in love with Nora and is a brilliant cook. Besides that, though, I really loved the background stories of all the characters in the story. It made them real and likable, and I love stories where I could relate to the characters and like them as if they were real people.


*END OF SPOILERS*

So because this book has done it, it's amazing. Enough said.

[ruvzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pretty cozy read in my opinion, life isn't always going to turn out the way you want to. Life as a daughter is much much harder to get used to as you become even more mature and old.

I originally gave it lesser stars as I found it to be way too relatable and understood the fl's life like it was my own. The need to forgive and pretend that life is not as bad as in your memories of your childhood just because there were a few 'good' memories is truly touching.

But now I realize that it isn't such a bad thing for a book to feel like a 'call-out'. Therefore, 5 stars.

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Follows Nora as she makes her live in London far from Maisie her mother. Story of their relationship and how Nora develops, creates new relationships, finds love. I liked a lot of the characters in this book - one of the things I like about the author is her development of the characters. They seem to come to life and feel so familiar to me.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great holiday read. Well written, witty, and very believable characters.... I enjoyed this book very much. At times I felt a close affinity - particularly the descriptions of the garish interior decor of the 1970s and the fad for 'fully fitted carpet'.....
I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.

[Bren · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's amazing how, in every book of Isla Dewar I've read so far, I can always relate to one of the characters. Sometimes it's a bit confusing with all the different perspectives but otherwise I really enjoyed getting out of the house!

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complicated family life centres around a mad matriarch who impacts heavily on her family - even when they leave her house. The author has created complicated characters but manages to generate sympathy for all. Nora the main character, is maddening but not so much that I stopped caring.

[zespri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good holiday easy read.

[Charlotte Latham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this much more than I'd expected to from the cover, which makes it look much more 'fluffy'. Found the setting evocative and the characters interesting.

[Jane Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nora is one of my all time favourite heroines. Feel good book, thoroughly recommend it

[JAN ROBERTSON · Rating 2 out of 5]

just so so not very interesting

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read but I liked the insightful way the characters were portrayed.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. Nora with her slightly bemused, out of touch with reality personality - her overwhelming and exhausting mother - her quiet, frustrated father and all the other interesting, real people in her life. Such a gripping read. Didn't want it to end.