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David Brining
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Out: A Schoolboy's Tale Kindle Edition

by David Brining (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 281 ratings
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When 15 year old Jonathan Peters falls in love for the first time, it is as unwelcome as it is unexpected because he falls in love with another boy. As his love deepens, his internal struggle with being homosexual spills into the open, impacting on his relationships with family, friends and teachers, who must all adjust their ambitions for him and the way they relate to him.
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  1. Print length
    599 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    May 25, 2015
  5. File size
    878 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00YAD0WG0
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 25, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 878 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 599 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 281 ratings

About the author

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David Brining

David Brining

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David Brining comes from Leeds in England and now lives in London. In between he lived in Russia, Sweden, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Jordan, Syria and Egypt. He currently teaches at King's College London. He enjoys most music, especially classical and opera, sports and cooking. Though his writing is fairly eclectic, he focuses on issues facing gay men in particular, and will be publishing more in this area in due course. He is interested in exploring the possibilities afforded by digital publishing (including serialisation, weblink incorporation, embedded audio files etc.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
281 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

stephen
5.0 out of 5 stars I fairly loved this book.
Reviewed in the United States on June 15, 2016
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I loved the way that it was written: yes, an exceptionally talented 15 year old with a butterfly mind could indeed write something like this but I am seriously wondering how autobiographical it actually was? Based in the early 1990's (I think) there are thousands of references to music and British tv shows of the time which brought back many memories for me, although I am actually a lot older than our hero would be now in 2016. He is interested in just about everything - with occasional blind spots. He mentions all of his school subjects - sometimes at length, and I have to say I skipped over some of the chemistry and physics. The book is crammed with music, dates, literature, facts about his venerable school, not to mention sports because this boy is no "nerd". The book, and our hero, is bursting with joy and purpose throughout. I loved the way he depicted his serious crush on Alistair (and others) but I had slight worries about the homophobia. Its true that there would have been plenty of this around at the time but I cannot really imagine that it would have gone as far as it did here - we'll call it dramatic license and give him the benefit of the doubt. Even when things are at their worst - and things get really bad - our hero maintains his positive outlook and this pulls him through . . . yes I loved this book and will probably reread it in the future.
2 people found this helpful
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mikeg
4.0 out of 5 stars A compelling coming-of-age story that's weakened by dozens of continuity errors which drove me crazy
Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2016
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This is a very poignant and touching story that I really enjoyed. And I don't mean to obsess over what some people would surely consider to be trivial things. But, stuff like this just drives me crazy. You think the story is taking place in about 1980. There is a Canadian Grand Prix crash mentioned which happened in September 1980. Starsky and Hutch aired at that time. Most of the popular songs that are mentioned are from 1979-1980. But at one point, JP mentioned shopping for DVD's. Which weren't even invented until 1995. CD's are mentioned more than once. But they weren't invented until 1983. AIDS is mentioned a few times, but it didn't exist (at least not by that name) in 1980. He quotes a line from Pink Floy'd The Final Cut which is from 1983. He mentions the movie "Home Alone" which came out in like 1991. JP and his boyfriend dance to Lady Gaga in a gay bar. Lady Gaga who wasn't even born until 1986 and no one heard of her until 2008. I don't regret reading this book at all - the main character is very likeable and the storyline is very engrossing, but it's hard to take seriously due to the dozens of continuity errors. (And if they're not errors, what was the point?)
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Kablekords
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it, honestly so good
Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2021
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I read this book when I was ~13 and enjoyed it. Now rereading it as an almost 20 year old I can say it’s definitely still a good read. There were so many parts that I loved- specifically in the writing like how JP’s mom would always call Ali “Ross” instead of Rose or the bit about the laundry fairy. Or how when he was coming to terms with his sexuality ogle would always be like “I would rather my own stomach than be gay” but constantly replace it with some random side dish or something like that ahh so good. The discussion of homophobia and the harsh realities like losing friends and bullying were portrayed in such a great way. Overall loved this book years ago and still love it now (if not more) honestly I think the only I didn’t like was physically doing jonny’s homework with him and reading through so much text like that but still solid and consistent.
One person found this helpful
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Roy Evans
3.0 out of 5 stars An O.K. read.
Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2016
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I rarely review a book that I cannot give at least four stars to but this one deserves some comment. While one can never know what truly goes on in the head of a fifteen year old boy, I think that this book would be best understood by a British audience. There were too many times that I believe only a native speaking and thinking mind would understand what the character was talking about. Also, the author clearly had been exposed to a higher level of learning than most of have had the privilege to experience. Although I did understand most of the German he used and some of the French, my exposure to 'classical' music, I readily admit, has been lacking. About as 'classical' as I care to get on a regular basis is confined to the 20th century - a bit of John Coltrane or Dave Brubeck with some Chet Adkins thrown in and if I want to really dig deep, some occasional Etta Baker. I do listen to stuff written and produced before 1900 but do not have the insight this author has. I agree that this is most likely from his own experience. His references to physics went completely over my head. I realize that it does not say much for me that I gave up after just reading about a third of the book. I read a LOT but could not get into this offering. There are just too many distractions that add nothing to the story that I could make out. I may come back to it at a later date. Perhaps it just needs to soak in a bit at a time. The author, clearly, knows his subject. There is just too much in this book that I am not interested in - on any level. Perhaps you'll have a different experience.
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FBR
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best Coming Out Stories Ever
Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2016
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One of the best stories of coming out I've ever read. The characters are rich and fully fleshed. The period is generously detailed and the minutia of the schoolboy's life adds to the believability and charm. Despite the great detail and technicalities in parts, we are swept along by the inevitability of history colliding with the senseless pack mentality of his fellow humans. By the end I felt I really knew Jonny and I didn't want it to end.
One person found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Jewels
Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2016
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The story of the bullying was spot on and the love story perfect but. The rest was boring. Sorry all abut classes and schoolplays and the. Music nice but very boring and way to long.😬
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Carmelina ortiz
1.0 out of 5 stars Small font
Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2017
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The font is too small.
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Top reviews from other countries

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P. Shuttleworth
5.0 out of 5 stars Out is Bang IN ORDER!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 13, 2022
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A book that took me back to my school days with such detail. An authentic 15 year old voice with characters drawn so well you can touch them. This book surprised me. It is an uncomfortable read at times - the compliance of the teachers, the violence and cruelty of children but it is also terribly uplifting and rounded in its treatment of the “ gay” school experience. More than anything I read a celebration of talent and resilience. That I recognised, empathised with ( both as a teacher and pupil), and liked the best about this book. It made me laugh out aloud and on more than one occasion I felt tears rolling down my cheeks. The story is a universal one. This telling of it I found exceptional. Loved it.
One person found this helpful
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Miceard 23
5.0 out of 5 stars La force des convictions!
Reviewed in France on June 26, 2016
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Il en faudra du courage à ce garçon de 15 ans, épanoui, très bon élève pour, quand il découvrira son amour pour un de ses camarade un peu plus âgé, résister au déferlement de haine et de violence de la société qui l'entoure, famille et école! Mais pour ça, comme pour le reste, il sait ce qu'il veut !
2 people found this helpful
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YoungAtHeart
4.0 out of 5 stars A very good book in many ways
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 22, 2016
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A very good book in many ways: 1. It is set in England and by a British author - a nice change as most LGBT Young Adult books are American. 2. The book is well written and in parts very funny. 3. The main character is intelligent, sophisticated, has a remarkable talent and goes to an academically good school - so there is serious culture (music particularly) and some of the jokes are sophisticated. 4. There is a good sense of teenage life (in 1980) and humour. 5.The struggles Jonny has to go through are very real (even today) and well described.
So why not five stars? The chronology is a problem. The story seems to be set in the latter part of 1980. There is good background material - the politics (the homophobia of the new Conservative government for example), the TV programmes, McCartney II released in spring of that year, the coming of AIDS and attitudes of that time. However, later items are incongruently introduced, for example, the demise of Gay Men's Press which happened in 2006 and dancing to 'Titanium' which was released in 2011. Why was this? Was it careless or was there a point? Is the author looking back or making some point about the present? I felt the first two thirds of the book brilliant but then it becomes rather derivative - the sudden conversion of most of the characters and the heros speaking in front of the whole school.
4 people found this helpful
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Sprinkler_UK
5.0 out of 5 stars Simply OUTSTANDING! (Still)
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 1, 2015
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This book was an absolute joy to read, I'm struggling to find the words to convey how much I enjoyed it, no loved it. The language is flawless, the social and cultural references are spot on. I did find the chronology of some of the contemporary music a little confusing at times but I don't care I was reading a book about love and hope not a history book. There are also a few typos, some wrong and missing words that could do with tidying up but nowhere near enough to spoil my enjoyment.

Every character is completely believable. And boy is it funny and moving in equal measure I have actually LOL'd and cried in this book many times. The last 30 minutes of reading left me in absolute pieces, I'm actually missing JP, Ali, Leo, Paulus and the others. This book should be required reading in schools. I'm now a little frustrated that I gave other books five stars as this book needs more. I will return to this wonderful read in the future. To the author, thank you for such a beautiful story.

Over the weekend I re-read this book. Whilst it does have flaws, I have, once again, been deeply moved by this amazing book. I had also forgotten how funny it is, especially JP's dialogue. The emotions this book stir up are so strong, I'm not embarrassed to say there are several sections in the book that actually left me sobbing. Don't be put off by the negative reviews, this heartfelt story deserves to be read and enjoyed.
7 people found this helpful
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Norman
3.0 out of 5 stars A little tedious in parts
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 15, 2020
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Needs some editing, too many characters, too many names and nicknames to bother remembering and it just jumped around so much. The main character was just so talented and opinionated as to be unbelievable, just lost its way unfortunately .
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