Status
Available
Call number
Call number
FIC LAI
Collection
Description
"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?"--provided by publisher.… (more)
Genres
Publication
Penguin Teen (2018), Edition: Reprint, 304 pages
Original language
English
Language
User reviews
LibraryThing member Scrabblenut
This moving and unforgettable story follows the lives of two very different young women in Mumbai. Noor is the child of a sex worker in the red light district (the "fifteen lanes" of the title). She lives in terrible poverty, knowing far too much about the way her mother and the other women in the
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brothel are treated, and trying to protect her younger sister and ill baby brother, while attending school and hoping for a better future for herself and her family. Grace is a foreign teen with a privileged life, who nonetheless finds herself in a horrendous situation due to one naive, foolish mistake that makes her the target of extreme bullying at her privileged high school. The book alternates between between Noor and Grace's points of view, and eventually the stories come together in a way where each can help the other in surprising ways. This is young adult fiction at its best, and I highly recommend it to girls especially, even with the difficult and sometimes horrifying subject matter. Grace's story serves to remind us that everything in the digital world is public, not private, and never disappears, so lives can be permanently affected by words or images posted by cell phone or on the internet. And Noor's story shows us not only the plight of trafficked women, but also their children. The more we know, the more chance that things can change. The book is not preachy and the story has many surprises that keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. I highly recommend this book not only to young adults but for anyone who wants to read a great story about subjects we might not know about, with very realistic portrayal of the thoughts of the two young girls. Show Less
LibraryThing member Bitter_Grace
Fifteen Lanes is quite a page-turner despite, or perhaps because of, its heavy themes and dark tone. Laidlaw speaks to the typically female experiences of sex work and slut-shaming as she juxtaposes the life of Noor, a young girl who lives in an East Indian brothel with that of Grace, a privileged
Laidlaw does a good job of conveying the flavor of India, and the stark reality of Mumbai’s prostitutes and their living conditions. I found Noor’s story extremely compelling and well told. I was less drawn into Grace’s story, however. Where it failed, in my view, was in the lack of an authentic teenage voice in either the dialogue or the narration. Both were generally stiff and utilitarian, more informational than engaging. For example, when Grace describes the rumours about her as “substantively inaccurate” or reflecting on the need to “curry favor” with her tormenter, Madison. Overall though, Fifteen Lanes is a good read, and a sober reflection on how women are both treated as sexual objects and simultaneously shamed for being sexual objects. Both of the principle characters must show great strength and solidarity to rise above their struggles.
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teenager who becomes the victim of a cruel prank at school. Although these ordeals are vastly different, they seem to bear the same magnitude within the context of each girl’s life, and both sides of the story are ultimately tales of survival. Still, it does serve to reinforce the fact that no matter how bad the typical day in the life of someone in a high social class can be, it pales in comparison to the horror of a person who lives in extreme poverty and hardship. Laidlaw does a good job of conveying the flavor of India, and the stark reality of Mumbai’s prostitutes and their living conditions. I found Noor’s story extremely compelling and well told. I was less drawn into Grace’s story, however. Where it failed, in my view, was in the lack of an authentic teenage voice in either the dialogue or the narration. Both were generally stiff and utilitarian, more informational than engaging. For example, when Grace describes the rumours about her as “substantively inaccurate” or reflecting on the need to “curry favor” with her tormenter, Madison. Overall though, Fifteen Lanes is a good read, and a sober reflection on how women are both treated as sexual objects and simultaneously shamed for being sexual objects. Both of the principle characters must show great strength and solidarity to rise above their struggles.
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LibraryThing member kimpiddington
I enjoyed watching the two protagonists' stories intersect-both experienced issues/horrors that need to be spoken up about and against. Bravo to Laidlaw for doing that while creating a page turner.
LibraryThing member bucketofrhymes
I received a free copy from LibraryThing as part of their Early Reviewers program in exchange for an honest review.
This is a beautifully-written, important novel. Juxtaposing a girl who's grown up in India's red light district with a wealthy high school student who becomes the victim of
This is difficult but so, so important to read. It addresses sexting without being preachy, and depicts heartbreaking and disturbing situations relating to sex work Mumbai. It depicts two girls who, despite coming from completely different walks of life, forge a realistic and strong friendship.
Highly recommended.
This is a beautifully-written, important novel. Juxtaposing a girl who's grown up in India's red light district with a wealthy high school student who becomes the victim of
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cyberbullying, Fifteen Lanes provides a commentary about exploitation and privilege.This is difficult but so, so important to read. It addresses sexting without being preachy, and depicts heartbreaking and disturbing situations relating to sex work Mumbai. It depicts two girls who, despite coming from completely different walks of life, forge a realistic and strong friendship.
Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member empress8411
This book is hard to write about as I don't feel I have adequate words. The ones that come to mind are these: brutal, heartbreaking, beautiful, hopeful.
Given Laidlaw's work with the victims of the sex industry in India, it is not surprising this book has a realism to it that stabs one to the
I would highly recommend this book for reading with high school age kids. It opens the doors for discussions about the many forms and places ones finds sexual exploitation – places and forms kids might not expect. It also opens discussion about sex trafficking and the condition of women in the third world.
Worth reading. Worth every heartbreaking second to read.
Given Laidlaw's work with the victims of the sex industry in India, it is not surprising this book has a realism to it that stabs one to the
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heart. Not everyone lives. Not everyone gets to a better life. But some do and that's enough. The characters feel real, complex, with cross motivations and emotions and mixed loyalties. The mistakes they make hit close to home. Noor’s vulnerability and Grace’s loneliness are tangible. I ached for these girls and the choices they made. I hated the ones who hurt them, the ones who deceived them, and the ones who used them. I would highly recommend this book for reading with high school age kids. It opens the doors for discussions about the many forms and places ones finds sexual exploitation – places and forms kids might not expect. It also opens discussion about sex trafficking and the condition of women in the third world.
Worth reading. Worth every heartbreaking second to read.
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LibraryThing member elizabeth1929
This book was......actually, pretty amazing.
Before this book, I've never read a story set in India, they've always been set somewhere in North America, about some white people.....not that that's a particularly bad thing! But, you know....I was just.....pointing it out. I know there's this
Thank you LibraryThing, for giving me this copy!
Anyways....two girls. One, a shy girl living in the....richer parts of India, who made a mistake. And another girl, the daughter of a person working illegally in a brothel, living in one of the poorest parts of India. Any BY SOME MIRACLE....they meet! And they help each other out! Yay! Go them!
I absolutely adored this book! Not only did I get to enjoy a snippet of what life can be like in India....I also got a little taste of the kinds of food they eat and the traditions and day to day life of these people!
I loved reading about the lives of these girls.....okay, did that sound a little creepy to you, or is it just me?
Anyhooo! Loved this book! The characters were awesome and I really grew to love them.....which was great! Or....not so great....I want another book! Gimme!
Before this book, I've never read a story set in India, they've always been set somewhere in North America, about some white people.....not that that's a particularly bad thing! But, you know....I was just.....pointing it out. I know there's this
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whole....read diversely thing....and um....I never really paid much attention to it, but after this book, I think I will.Thank you LibraryThing, for giving me this copy!
Anyways....two girls. One, a shy girl living in the....richer parts of India, who made a mistake. And another girl, the daughter of a person working illegally in a brothel, living in one of the poorest parts of India. Any BY SOME MIRACLE....they meet! And they help each other out! Yay! Go them!
I absolutely adored this book! Not only did I get to enjoy a snippet of what life can be like in India....I also got a little taste of the kinds of food they eat and the traditions and day to day life of these people!
I loved reading about the lives of these girls.....okay, did that sound a little creepy to you, or is it just me?
Anyhooo! Loved this book! The characters were awesome and I really grew to love them.....which was great! Or....not so great....I want another book! Gimme!
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LibraryThing member PaperbackPropensity
This book about two young girls growing up in vastly different worlds (one growing up in a brothel, the other dealing with bullies) is an engrossing novel about the harsh realities of human trafficking, and rising above obstacles.
When Grace becomes the victim of an online attack, she has nowhere to
Then there is Noor, who grew up in a brotherly, but whose mother finds a way to send her to school despite also telling Noor over and over again that she cannot escape her fate.
Grace and Noor's path eventually cross, and their lives are changed forever.
Fifteen Lanes is an engrossing novel dealing with really tough, heavy issues, but still leaving some hope. I could not put it down, and yet my heart ached so many times.
Fifteen Lanes is a book that I will never forget.
*For anyone who needs trigger warnings, there is mention of sexual violence, and self harm
When Grace becomes the victim of an online attack, she has nowhere to
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turn to; she never was good at making friends, and the only one she had, Tina, has moved away. Trying to keep it together, she finds a way to cope, a way that she cannot share with anyone.Then there is Noor, who grew up in a brotherly, but whose mother finds a way to send her to school despite also telling Noor over and over again that she cannot escape her fate.
Grace and Noor's path eventually cross, and their lives are changed forever.
Fifteen Lanes is an engrossing novel dealing with really tough, heavy issues, but still leaving some hope. I could not put it down, and yet my heart ached so many times.
Fifteen Lanes is a book that I will never forget.
*For anyone who needs trigger warnings, there is mention of sexual violence, and self harm
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LibraryThing member Cerisewood
Fifteen Lanes touches base with a lot of topics that some people don't like to speak about as if not talking about such sins would wash away the truth. The shame of speaking of things that people see as impure, and repulsive. S.J Laidlaw recognizes the horrors people are facing and expresses it
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through this wonderful work of fiction and facts. I do hope that it will open the eyes of many as it did mine to the horrors that people just like you and I are being put through, the horrors that people are purposely blind too. I fell in love with Noor and Grace both girls were suffering in one way or another however pushed through despite their fears. I immensely enjoyed this book and the meaning it brought to life. Show Less
LibraryThing member Prekrasan
In a well-told heart-wrenching tale, Noor and Grace bring you on a journey to experience two completely different worlds in India. While Grace enjoys a life of privilege, Noor and her siblings are the children of a sex worker, born in a brothel.
The characters, especially Noor and Parvati, were
I loved how Laidlaw ended Fifteen Lanes and recommend this book to those with an interest in Mumbai's red light district - where Noor grew up - and who are curious about how those in other parts of the world might live. Fifteen Lanes shows us that even those with "perfect" lives have problems, and that there is hope. Not all stories have a happy ending, but I am glad this one did.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from LibraryThing in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
The characters, especially Noor and Parvati, were
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well developed. We see India through their eyes, see the dangers that for them are commonplace. With Noor and Grace developing a friendship of sorts, we see the contrast between their lives and what they are accustomed to. I loved how Laidlaw ended Fifteen Lanes and recommend this book to those with an interest in Mumbai's red light district - where Noor grew up - and who are curious about how those in other parts of the world might live. Fifteen Lanes shows us that even those with "perfect" lives have problems, and that there is hope. Not all stories have a happy ending, but I am glad this one did.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from LibraryThing in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
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LibraryThing member JReynolds1959
Noor is living in the fifteen lanes in Kamathipura, Mumbai's red light district. She is fourteen years old and will someday inherit the destiny of her mother, a prostitute. She is a devadasi, and that is the way of their heritage. Noor has a sister, Aamaal and a brother, Shami. Shami has been born
Grace lives across the city in a more privileged section of India. Grace is rather a loner, but has an incident with someone on a cell phone where she reveals herself and ends up paying an outrageous price for such at school.
The two girls meet in a program where Grace and VJ Patel are helping young girls growing up in the red light district. They become friends.
This was such an interesting and thought-provoking book. The author works with actual victim's of this way of life. It is so hard to believe that people are forced to live like this in today's world.
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with HIV, so he is a sickly child.Grace lives across the city in a more privileged section of India. Grace is rather a loner, but has an incident with someone on a cell phone where she reveals herself and ends up paying an outrageous price for such at school.
The two girls meet in a program where Grace and VJ Patel are helping young girls growing up in the red light district. They become friends.
This was such an interesting and thought-provoking book. The author works with actual victim's of this way of life. It is so hard to believe that people are forced to live like this in today's world.
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LibraryThing member bogreader
"Fifteen Lanes" is told through the eyes of Ellen and Noor, teenagers living in Mumbai, India. Ellen's family has wealth, while Noor's has none. Despite their differences, both young women want and need friendship and courage to move forward in their lives.
LibraryThing member mermaidatheart
I really enjoyed this book. Compulsively readable, because the alternating chapters made you keep going to find out what happens next. It's amazing that despite the disparity in the girls' situations, you feel equally empathy for both. It takes a deft hand to do that.
ISBN
0735264775 / 9780735264779