Today's review is over a historical fiction YA book called Out of the Easy. It is by Ruta Sepetys, and let's just say I have quickly become a BIG Ruta Sepetys fan!
- Standalone novel
- Historical fiction
Summary from Goodreads:
It’s 1950, and as the French Quarter of New Orleans simmers with secrets, seventeen-year-old Josie Moraine is silently stirring a pot of her own. Known among locals as the daughter of a brothel prostitute, Josie wants more out of life than the Big Easy has to offer.
She devises a plan get out, but a mysterious death in the Quarter leaves Josie tangled in an investigation that will challenge her allegiance to her mother, her conscience, and Willie Woodley, the brusque madam on Conti Street. Josie is caught between the dream of an elite college and a clandestine underworld. New Orleans lures her in her quest for truth, dangling temptation at every turn, and escalating to the ultimate test.
With characters as captivating as those in her internationally bestselling novel Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys skillfully creates a rich story of secrets, lies, and the haunting reminder that decisions can shape our destiny.
She devises a plan get out, but a mysterious death in the Quarter leaves Josie tangled in an investigation that will challenge her allegiance to her mother, her conscience, and Willie Woodley, the brusque madam on Conti Street. Josie is caught between the dream of an elite college and a clandestine underworld. New Orleans lures her in her quest for truth, dangling temptation at every turn, and escalating to the ultimate test.
With characters as captivating as those in her internationally bestselling novel Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys skillfully creates a rich story of secrets, lies, and the haunting reminder that decisions can shape our destiny.
The Gist
Josie, who lives in the French Quarters of 1950s New Orleans, has recently graduated high school and is ready to get out of the Big Easy. She wants desperately to go to Smith College but needs a lot of money. Her credentials on their own won't get her in, especially since her mother is a high-up prostitute for madam Willie Woodley.
But Josie can't easily escape her mother's lifestyle; in fact, her mother's troubles make Josie's dreams seem impossible.
A book full of gangsters, brothels, scandals, murder, and an overall theme of how decisions affect our destiny.
What I Loved
- Just about everything! I LOVED this book! Historical fiction is usually hit-or-miss for me but this was a hit ALL THE WAY!
- The setting was great. I don't know if I've ever read anything set in this place and time period, so it was a fascinating setting to read about.
- The characters were fan-tastic! Despite their crazy lifestyles, the characters really represented a family unit--Willie, Cokie, Frankie, Patrick, Charlie, Jesse, Dora, Sweety, Sadie. Even the "bad guys" were just great characters.
- The title of the book is pretty darn clever.
- I loved the underlying message that hope can inspire courage.
What I Didn't Love
- I didn't enjoy Charlotte's character--she just didn't seem to fit the lifestyle in which she was raised. Seemed kind of dim-witted and so over-trusting.
My favorite quote: "Now, don't let fear keep you in New Orleans. Sometimes we set off down a road thinkin' we're goin' one place and we end up another. But that's okay. The important thing is to start. I know you can do it. Come on, Josie girl, give those ol' wings a try."
Go read this book now! You're welcome.
Want to see an outfit inspired by this book? Come back Wednesday!
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