Lu's Outing: Book 1

by John Lugo-Trebble

2020 revised edition includes a new cover and never before published material.“It didn’t bother me that I was all those names they called me...It hurt that it bothered them so much.”Being sixteen sucks! Being sixteen and awkward sucks! Being sixteen, awkward and knowing you are gay sucks even more!Or does it?Lu has no friends. Anthony keeps bullying him at school. His mother is growing suspicious. What else can he do but ditch school and hang out in Greenwich Village, it’s what his Uncle Jose would have done. After all, it’s 1993, and he is in the city that never sleeps.So begins a comical coming of age of story of breaking the rules, making new friends and falling in love.What about Anthony? What about his mother? Being a teenager may suck, but in a city of possibilities Lu finds out that it doesn’t always have to.

148 pages, Paperback

Published February 27, 2020

About the author

My mother used to say that from the moment I learned to walk, I was walking the other way. This statement did not just end up applying to my life, but also my writing.
​
I am a Puerto Rican Bronx native exiled to the wilds of Cornwall by fate and circumstance. Having lived in New York, London, Berlin and Prague, my husband and I moved to West Cornwall where we live in a barn with our adventurous cats and lots of stars.

I am heavily influenced by urban landscapes and the interconnected lives of people in an increasingly globalised world. I love to explore the small moments that bring humanity to impersonal surroundings. In addition to fiction, I enjoy writing articles about the writer experience and engaging with memory and mediums like Film and Music.

My work has appeared in Litro Magazine #TuesdayTales, The Review Review and Jonathan.

https://www.facebook.com/JohnLugoTreb...

Reviews

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lu's Outing is a fun and authentic read that will transport you back to NYC of the early 90's. I have never been to NYC, but the book still brought on a nostalgia for the discovery and hanging out in the proudly gay (and sometimes seedy, which made them thrilling) places of my own city in the 90's. In that era I had many friends like Lu, who were just beginning to be brave enough to face themselves, come out, and find like-minded and accepting people. At that time I was fortunate enough to walk alongside and support several of them in that journey, and reading Lu's story brought me back to that place.

It was also fun (and sad) to remember what it was like to be a teenager in 1993, when it was perfectly logical to catch public transportation downtown and spend the day wandering about aimlessly, hoping to run into someone. When going to someone's work and asking if they were working that day (and then feeling that disappointment when they weren't there), was a thing. When there was so much time "wasted" because of not having instant communication via cellphones and when strangers would talk to each other because people were not looking into the palm of their hands all the time. We were the last generation to come of age without even email or the internet, and it is easy to forget what that was like. I enjoyed remembering the simplicity and reflecting on those changes as I read the book.

I really enjoyed Lu's perspective, and my only complaint is that I wanted more of the story. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

[Seana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short, charming coming of age story. Tired of being hassled in his Bronx school for being gay, Lu decides to skip it all for a day and heads downtown. He wanders into some of the well-known gay quarters of the city and gradually begins to find people who welcome him and see the world as he does. I found myself wishing that all lonely, outcast youth could find such a haven just by hopping on a train. And the heady, liberated feeling Lu has reminded me of a similar journey to the Castro that one of my friends described to me about first going to the Castro when he was a young man.

An additional strength of this book is that Lu is short for Luis, who comes from a Puerto Rican American neighborhood, as does the author. The book offers some nice glimpses into that culture and also shows what coming out in that context might be like, in both its strengths and obstacles.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put this book down. The writer really brings the characters to life and when you finish the book you can’t help but want to read more about them. Hope that the author is ready to tell us what happens next

[Sarah B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down hence finishing in one evening. An honest and emotional book following the life of a lad finding his place and acceptance in life.

[M A WISKER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I really enjoyed reading this book it was honest and funny at times. I'm straight but my daughter is gay and married plus I have a lot of gay friends, so it kind of let me have a small glimpse of their struggles to fit in in a world that still needs to change. I know things are better than they were but there is still a long way to go! Why should they feel ashamed in this day and age! You can't help who you fall in love with and whether you are straight, gay, bi what ever do whatever feels right and makes you happy. Life is too short and small minded people need to get a life! Thank the John. I know John personally and he's a great and kind person so is his husband David. Good read you won't be disappointed.

[Blue Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

A coming of age LGBT fiction.
Lu's outing is a coming of age story and I must mention that I loved every second of it. Written about coming out of closet, finding acceptance and life of the main character.
The author writes a story where characters are lovely and the plot is compelling. Set in early 90s providing you the chance to explore NYC at that time.
The book gives you glimpse in the life of homosexuals and teaches you a lesson about how to embrace and accept your sexuality and yourself.
The ending will leave you feeling warm and looking forward to the sequel with desperation.
I would give this book 5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 and recommend it to the readers who want to read a coming of age story with LGBTQ characters and set in 90s.

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book should have characters the reader can engage with. In Lu's Outing the author gives us that in spades. You will hopefully find the characters as enjoyable and awful as I did.

I read this book in 2 sittings and could not focus on anything but the book.

5 Stars Mr Lugo - Trebble