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Stepping Out
Author: Lori L. LakeISBN: 1-932300-16-3
With Stepping Out, popular lesbian author Lori L. Lake has crafted a charming and impressive collection of short stories. The name of the book was inspired by the fact that the characters in each story have reached a turning point in their lives, and they must now choose to step out in a new direction. Each story touched me in some way, but some more than others.
“The Bright Side” tells of a young woman faced with the inevitability of aging parents. “Everything You Learn in Kindergarten Can Ruin Your Life” takes us back to grammar school and the world of bullies. “Propane” is a powerful tale of domestic abuse in a same-sex relationship. In “Mouse”, we come face-to-face with a homeless woman, forced onto the street when her partner passes away and the family refuses to acknowledge their relationship.
Lake isn't afraid to tackle the tough issues-alcoholism, physical and mental abuse, self-esteem issues, aging parents, homophobia-in her stories, but she does so without ever feeling preachy or confrontational. Her stories are filled with grace, second chances, and self-discovery. All of her characters are fully-realized, even when their stories are sometimes less than ten pages. You feel as if you are being afforded brief (sometimes too brief!) glimpses into the lives of real people-people who could be your neighbors, your friends, or even your relatives. Her writing style is very accessible; the stories quickly draw you in and make you care about their protagonists.
Everyone who reads this book will have their favorites. Mine were “Busybody”, “Defending Angels”, and “Jumping Over My Head.” In “Busybody”, an aging lesbian couple tries to live their lives in peace and privacy while fending off the well-meaning but unwelcome interference of loved ones and neighbors. However, the couple gains a new perspective by the story's end. “Defending Angels” tells the emotionally charged story of a young man trying to rebuild his life in the aftermath of an abusive father and an unsuccessful suicide attempt. Of the fourteen stories in this collection, “Jumping Over My Head” felt the most personal to me. It is a story of overcoming self-perception, of the power of having one person who believes in you-and having faith in yourself.
While those three especially stood out to me, I believe this book will have something for everyone. In these fourteen short stories, Lori L. Lake, also the author of the popular Gun series, as well as her most recent novel, the well-received Different Dress, shows off her versatility and considerable talent. I highly recommend this book.