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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
Ruta is truly an amazing author. Each of her books keeps you wanting more, and turning page after page. This book in particular was very special to me for personal reasons. Can't wait to read her newest book!
I really enjoyed the setting here (1950 in New Orleans!), but I just didn't find the plot compelling enough. While Out of the Easy is fairy well written, and was pretty breezy to read in general, something was just missing for me.
Ruta Sepetys does it again with this beautifully written novel of a young girl finding her way in life. Heart wrenching, compelling and beautifully written I couldn’t help but get sucked in until I finished this one.
Highly recommend, as I would any of Sepetys books honestly!
Highly recommend, as I would any of Sepetys books honestly!
Probably more like 3.5 stars... Didn't like this one as much as I like "Between Shades of Gray" and "Salt to the Sea, but an OK book... set in New Orleans in the 1950's - whore houses, the mob, murder, music, etc.
Read this in one day, and really enjoyed it. It’s the 4th book I’ve read by Sepetys, and I intentionally saved it for last because I was more excited for the other novels. The description of this book made me think it wouldn’t be up my alley.... BUT... it was. It was so easy to develop feelings about the characters. Lovable ones, and some you loathe. Story line was good. Was worth the read!
Quite different from her first novel, will appeal to fans of What I Saw and How I Lied.
4 1/2 stars.
I really enjoyed this book. The writing was beautiful and elegant. I found myself able to seriously relate to the main protagonist, Josie. This book was really fast-paced and I flew through it. I read it in the car while on m way to the beach.
The world that Sepetys created was so stunning. The best part about this book for me was the setting and atmosphere. The house that Josie's mother lived in was realistically written and I loved learning more about it and the lifestyle of the ladies that lived there. My heart broke for Josie over and over again.
The characters that were created and evident in this story were all vibrant and they added so much to the plot. I loved watching Josie's relationships grow stronger and I loved seeing the support she had from those around her. Cokie was a real one.
I also really loved the historical context that could be found throughout this novel. It really was done very well.
I really enjoyed this book. The writing was beautiful and elegant. I found myself able to seriously relate to the main protagonist, Josie. This book was really fast-paced and I flew through it. I read it in the car while on m way to the beach.
The world that Sepetys created was so stunning. The best part about this book for me was the setting and atmosphere. The house that Josie's mother lived in was realistically written and I loved learning more about it and the lifestyle of the ladies that lived there. My heart broke for Josie over and over again.
The characters that were created and evident in this story were all vibrant and they added so much to the plot. I loved watching Josie's relationships grow stronger and I loved seeing the support she had from those around her. Cokie was a real one.
I also really loved the historical context that could be found throughout this novel. It really was done very well.
Between Shades of Grey was one of my top reads last year, so I knew going in my natural instinct would be to compare Out of the Easy. Lucky for me, the author did a fantastic job, meaning my comparison is simply that both are outstandingly researched.
Once again Sepetys manages to create a landscape the reader can feel, from the dampness in the air to the scent of decay after a night of revelry in the Quarter, she brings New Orleans to life.
The secondary characters are another shining spot in this story. While they don't steal the spotlight, they manage to live lives separate from Josie, lives you can sense just off screen.
I will say there is enough suggestive content to make this a less than ideal recommendation for school libraries, who have to deal with conservative parents. However, as a bookseller, I am confident in recommending it to teen patrons.
Once again Sepetys manages to create a landscape the reader can feel, from the dampness in the air to the scent of decay after a night of revelry in the Quarter, she brings New Orleans to life.
The secondary characters are another shining spot in this story. While they don't steal the spotlight, they manage to live lives separate from Josie, lives you can sense just off screen.
I will say there is enough suggestive content to make this a less than ideal recommendation for school libraries, who have to deal with conservative parents. However, as a bookseller, I am confident in recommending it to teen patrons.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I know there are parts of it that will stick with me.
I loved the setting - New Orleans, the Quarter, 1950s. This was a setting I had never read about, or experienced, before, and in that way I found it refreshing and exciting.
Willy has to be my favorite character, and in my opinion, the most memorable. She was such a unique, refreshing, strong, unapologetic, brilliant, nonjudgemental female character.
The murder, the mystery, Carlos Marcello, etc. raised the stakes nicely for the rest of the plot. The murder mystery itself wasn't incredibly drawn out or complicated, but I'm okay with that because it wasn't the main focus.
I appreciated how developed all of the characters were. There was definitely a nice complexity to them (Cokie, Sweety, Dora, Evangeline, Sadie).
However, I wish I knew more about Louise. She seemed a little stereotypical and I want to know why she is the way she is.
Ultimately, I like Josie. She was a really strong female character, and showed it. The main issue I had with her, and this book, was how Josie looked down on prostitutes, and the text seemed to pin them with a negative connotation, particularly from Josie's perspective. This was personally a little disappointing because it's hard for me to watch women shaming other women. I respect the hustle. Get your bag.
Patrick rubbed me the wrong way and I'm glad Josie ended up with Jesse. I thought Jesse was really sweet and I thought his small monologue when he was explaining to Josie how he felt used was really meaningful.
I think the story was paced nicely, and I had a hard time putting it down.
In conclusion, I really enjoyed Out of the Easy. The plot was intriguing, the characters memorable (love Willy), and the setting captivating. Would recommend!
These are just some things I was personally considering. They contains spoilers and if you are just looking for a book review you can skip this. But if you want to hear what this story made me think about, here it is:
This book made me consider moving on from an era in one's life. I found it really difficult to see Josie leave the Quarter, and everyone behind, for Smith. I considered if I was in Josie's shoes, and realized I wouldn't have gone to Smith. I would have stayed in New Orleans because of how attached I felt to the characters and setting. If I were Josie, leaving for Smith would feel like trading something exciting, unique, and colorful for something safe, mundane, and boring. Of course that is up to her, but makes me realize more about myself. I found myself considering what I want in my life and what I value in my life. I realized just how much more people, adventure, and passion, mean to me, than a safe, successful, corporate life. And for this I thank Ruta Sepetys, for making me understand something more about myself, through her book.
Edit: I've been thinking more about what I said here and wanted to add. I've considered how our desires in life stem from our environment. For example, in the novel Josie is not safe in her environment, and is scarred. Additionally, she is fed up with how people view her because of where she comes from, and her family. These could be large motivations for her seeking out a safe, and socially-acceptable, life at Smith, and in the corporate world. Personally, I have been privileged enough to grow up comfortably, and reap the comfort, stability, and security that life in the corporate world brought my parents, and therefore myself. The path I am to take seems obvious, and this path I have already started down, while stable, feels void of meaning. Furthermore, conditions in my personal life make me feel trapped, where I must make certain decisions to maintain this stability. It may be these conditions that made me find the ever-changing circumstances Josie experienced working at Willy's brothel, and living in the Quarter, exciting. Being surrounded with unique, interesting, and passionate people is something that I find keeps life exciting, which may be why it was hard for me to see Josie leave all her friends behind, for Smith. Ultimately, I am reconsidering what I want in life, based on what is meaningful to me, not anyone else.
These are just some thoughts I was having. I don't know if there is a reply feature, but if there is, let me know what you think, and feel free to perhaps point out things/circumstances/biases I may have overlooked.
I loved the setting - New Orleans, the Quarter, 1950s. This was a setting I had never read about, or experienced, before, and in that way I found it refreshing and exciting.
Willy has to be my favorite character, and in my opinion, the most memorable. She was such a unique, refreshing, strong, unapologetic, brilliant, nonjudgemental female character.
I appreciated how developed all of the characters were. There was definitely a nice complexity to them (Cokie, Sweety, Dora, Evangeline, Sadie).
However, I wish I knew more about Louise. She seemed a little stereotypical and I want to know why she is the way she is.
Ultimately, I like Josie. She was a really strong female character, and showed it. The main issue I had with her, and this book, was how Josie looked down on prostitutes, and the text seemed to pin them with a negative connotation, particularly from Josie's perspective. This was personally a little disappointing because it's hard for me to watch women shaming other women. I respect the hustle. Get your bag.
I think the story was paced nicely, and I had a hard time putting it down.
In conclusion, I really enjoyed Out of the Easy. The plot was intriguing, the characters memorable (love Willy), and the setting captivating. Would recommend!
This book made me consider moving on from an era in one's life. I found it really difficult to see Josie leave the Quarter, and everyone behind, for Smith. I considered if I was in Josie's shoes, and realized I wouldn't have gone to Smith. I would have stayed in New Orleans because of how attached I felt to the characters and setting. If I were Josie, leaving for Smith would feel like trading something exciting, unique, and colorful for something safe, mundane, and boring. Of course that is up to her, but makes me realize more about myself. I found myself considering what I want in my life and what I value in my life. I realized just how much more people, adventure, and passion, mean to me, than a safe, successful, corporate life. And for this I thank Ruta Sepetys, for making me understand something more about myself, through her book.
Edit: I've been thinking more about what I said here and wanted to add. I've considered how our desires in life stem from our environment. For example, in the novel Josie is not safe in her environment, and is scarred. Additionally, she is fed up with how people view her because of where she comes from, and her family. These could be large motivations for her seeking out a safe, and socially-acceptable, life at Smith, and in the corporate world. Personally, I have been privileged enough to grow up comfortably, and reap the comfort, stability, and security that life in the corporate world brought my parents, and therefore myself. The path I am to take seems obvious, and this path I have already started down, while stable, feels void of meaning. Furthermore, conditions in my personal life make me feel trapped, where I must make certain decisions to maintain this stability. It may be these conditions that made me find the ever-changing circumstances Josie experienced working at Willy's brothel, and living in the Quarter, exciting. Being surrounded with unique, interesting, and passionate people is something that I find keeps life exciting, which may be why it was hard for me to see Josie leave all her friends behind, for Smith. Ultimately, I am reconsidering what I want in life, based on what is meaningful to me, not anyone else.
These are just some thoughts I was having. I don't know if there is a reply feature, but if there is, let me know what you think, and feel free to perhaps point out things/circumstances/biases I may have overlooked.