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dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Finished reading: July 7th 2016
“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 have been wanting to read another Ruta Sepetys novel ever since I finished Between Shades Of Gray last year. Since I don't have a copy of her newest novel yet Out Of The Easy was an easy choice, especially since this title has been recommended to me various times in the past. I'm glad I finally took the time to read this story, because I really enjoyed reading it! In a way it's difficult to compare the two books because the setting in Out Of The Easy is completely different, but I think I have found my new favorite Ruta Sepetys novel. The 1950s setting in the French Quarter of New Orleans is really well done and I truly felt like I was transported back to that era while I was reading this novel. Both the prose and character development are also excellent and it was really easy to connect to the main character Josie Moraine. I liked how determined she is to change her life even though she's had a rough start, and also enjoyed the fact that the book shop was quite an important part of the story. The plot itself is also interesting and I definitely didn't see some of the plot twists coming. If you like a well written, fast-paced and interesting historical fiction read, make sure to try Out Of The Easy!
Historical fiction is a genre I enjoy reading in general, and Out Of The Easy is definitely one of my favorites of the year. The setting, prose and character development are excellent and I really felt like I was right there in the 1950s along with the characters. All in all it was a very entertaining read that combines character development with action and a novel that is definitely worth reading if you like the genre!
I can't help but love everything that Ruta Sepetys writes. This was a fast pace enjoyable read. 😊 Just what I needed to pick me up and prevent me from falling into the dreaded book slump 😎
A fun, easy read about a girl who was born into a less than ideal situation and some of the stories and people that shaped her. I kind of feel like I need a sequel so I can see what happened with all the characters that I got to know!
This was, to me, a much better book that Between Shades of Grey (I know I'll be in the minority here). I enjoyed meeting Jo/Josie/Josephine and spending some time in her world - New Orleans in the 1950s. It's a seedy world she inhabits, with a mother who is (let's be honest) a whore and being taken care of by the madam and her various employers. She's also part of the slightly literary world, working for a bookstore and living above it; the bookstore is owned by a writer.
Josie has aspirations - not big ones, admittedly - to leave New Orleans and be something other than her mother's daughter. Then one day she meets two people who change her life: Frank Hearne, who sees something in her that is somewhat noble, and Charlotte Lockwood, a Smith College student who assumes that Josephine is of her class and will easily get in to Smith. Suddenly, that's Josie's goal, to go to Smith. Standing between her and her first day on campus are her mother, the question of who murdered Frank Hearne, actually getting admitted to Smith and finding the money for tuition and board. Nothing comes easy, of course.
It's the ending that cost this the fifth star: a little too predictable. Satisfying, but predictable.
ARC provided by publisher.
Josie has aspirations - not big ones, admittedly - to leave New Orleans and be something other than her mother's daughter. Then one day she meets two people who change her life: Frank Hearne, who sees something in her that is somewhat noble, and Charlotte Lockwood, a Smith College student who assumes that Josephine is of her class and will easily get in to Smith. Suddenly, that's Josie's goal, to go to Smith. Standing between her and her first day on campus are her mother, the question of who murdered Frank Hearne, actually getting admitted to Smith and finding the money for tuition and board. Nothing comes easy, of course.
It's the ending that cost this the fifth star: a little too predictable. Satisfying, but predictable.
ARC provided by publisher.
This honestly should be a five star rating, but I felt like the ending was too rushed for me. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed the entire novel. Once again Ruta Sepetys delivered an excellent and enthralling novel that I couldn’t put down! Still one for my favorite authors! Pick this up for a quick, autumnal, rainy day read!
The 1950s are usually relegated to stories of the Cold War or the Happy Days. RUTA gives us something much richer to sink our teeth into. She melded the perfect blend of history, culture, mystery and thriller to transport me to another time.
We get to know and love a very eclectic cast of secondary characters through the eyes of Josie Moraine. She is strong, moral, motivated and scrappy. She isn’t afraid to wield a pistol in her attempt to rise of her mother, her past and her surroundings. She was raised a whore’s daughter. She is so tired of how people look at her, prejudging her. She dreams of heading north, starting over and getting an education. Though she has aspirations to escape New Orleans, you never feel that she really regrets her life, the things she has learned and those around her that love her. Yep, Josie has a special quality about her.
Not that life was ever easy for Josie, but her dreams will come at great cost. You are immersed into a world of secrets, lies and murder. Not all will be answered. Not everyone will make it. But it ends rich, messy and perfect.
LAUREN FORTGANG did a most excellent job. All her voices slid me into the past like butter. Her Southern Drawl fleshed out Ruta’s world bringing New Orleans to life. Josie was bright and thinking. Willie is all madam, control and red velvet. The various men ranged from Brando-eque to all business like. Some were protecting and thoughtful, some brought the swoons and a few made your skin crawl. OUT OF THE EASY played out in a vividness associated with watching a play performed in front of your eyes.
Here is to Rising Above without Losing Yourself.
We get to know and love a very eclectic cast of secondary characters through the eyes of Josie Moraine. She is strong, moral, motivated and scrappy. She isn’t afraid to wield a pistol in her attempt to rise of her mother, her past and her surroundings. She was raised a whore’s daughter. She is so tired of how people look at her, prejudging her. She dreams of heading north, starting over and getting an education. Though she has aspirations to escape New Orleans, you never feel that she really regrets her life, the things she has learned and those around her that love her. Yep, Josie has a special quality about her.
Not that life was ever easy for Josie, but her dreams will come at great cost. You are immersed into a world of secrets, lies and murder. Not all will be answered. Not everyone will make it. But it ends rich, messy and perfect.
LAUREN FORTGANG did a most excellent job. All her voices slid me into the past like butter. Her Southern Drawl fleshed out Ruta’s world bringing New Orleans to life. Josie was bright and thinking. Willie is all madam, control and red velvet. The various men ranged from Brando-eque to all business like. Some were protecting and thoughtful, some brought the swoons and a few made your skin crawl. OUT OF THE EASY played out in a vividness associated with watching a play performed in front of your eyes.
Here is to Rising Above without Losing Yourself.