Out of the Shadows
'If you're gay, people think that's all you are as though there aren't any other dimensions to your personality. They think all you do is have sex.' Out of the Shadows is a story of love and friendship, which illustrates with remarkable simplicity and clarity the distinction between sexuality and sex. Hines challenges stereotypical constructions of lesbianism avoiding sensationalism and heavy didacticism. Ro, Mark and Jodie are independent, intelligent teenagers whose lives are restricted by the personal secrets they are struggling to keep. Ro's mother was killed in a tragic accident and now she lives with her mother's partner Deb. Mark is the only friend she can trust with her secret. Jodie is attracted to Ro but is afraid to openly admit that she is gay. The friends realise that they can only start to lead satisfying lives by being true to themselves and honest with each other. They bravely decide to step out of the shadows. This sensitive and well-written novel is wholly convincing in tackling this important issue.