You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
I had to wait a few days before reviewing this as I was so powerfully affected by the writing. The pace of the book is perfect and so is the story. I can find nothing to criticise - it's a jewel of a book. The only shame is that the perfect audience for the book is 14-16 year old girls and I am in an all boys school. I will now have to catch up with Between Shades of Grey which I haven't yet read. Just Perfect.
“Ir lietas, kas neizzūd, lai cik sparīgi censtos no tām atbrīvoties.”
1950.gads, Ņūorleāna. Džo - prostitūtas meita, kura vēlas darīt visu, lai nekad nekļūtu kā māte, taču tā kā Džo ik dienu uzturas bordelī, šis ir liels izaicinājums - netikt ierautai pasaulē no kuras Džo bēg. Džo māte ir prasta ielasmeita, kurai nospļauties par savu meitu, taču par spīti visam Džo māti mīl. Džo mātes vietu aizpilda ir spilgta personība - bordeļa madāma Villija, kas ir skarba un asa, taču patiesī mīl Džo. Meitenes īstais tēvs nav zināms un par tēvu Džo uzskata kāda grāmatu veikala īpašnieku Čārliju, kurš meitenei astoņu gadu vecumā deva pajumti un pieņēma kā meitu. Taču no pagātnes un savām saknēm neaizbēgt - Džo ilgas pēc labā dzīves rauj meiteni atpakaļ dūksnājā, no kura jātiek laukā.
Šis ir mans pirmais izlasītais autores romāns. Pēc apkārt virmojošajām sajūtām - šis nav labākais autores darbs, taču esmu izdarījusi pareizo izvēli, sākot ar šo, jo, ja šis bija vājākais, tad nevaru vien sagaidīt spēcīgākos darbus.
Jā, vietām man pietrūka, vairāk detaļu un grāmatā vijas daudz dažādu sarežģītu attiecību līnijas un, iespējams, dažas šķita nenoslīpētas un atstāja vairāk jautājumus kā atbildes, taču kopumā jāsaka, ka romāns man patika - lasījās raiti un tēma interesanta.
1950.gads, Ņūorleāna. Džo - prostitūtas meita, kura vēlas darīt visu, lai nekad nekļūtu kā māte, taču tā kā Džo ik dienu uzturas bordelī, šis ir liels izaicinājums - netikt ierautai pasaulē no kuras Džo bēg. Džo māte ir prasta ielasmeita, kurai nospļauties par savu meitu, taču par spīti visam Džo māti mīl. Džo mātes vietu aizpilda ir spilgta personība - bordeļa madāma Villija, kas ir skarba un asa, taču patiesī mīl Džo. Meitenes īstais tēvs nav zināms un par tēvu Džo uzskata kāda grāmatu veikala īpašnieku Čārliju, kurš meitenei astoņu gadu vecumā deva pajumti un pieņēma kā meitu. Taču no pagātnes un savām saknēm neaizbēgt - Džo ilgas pēc labā dzīves rauj meiteni atpakaļ dūksnājā, no kura jātiek laukā.
Šis ir mans pirmais izlasītais autores romāns. Pēc apkārt virmojošajām sajūtām - šis nav labākais autores darbs, taču esmu izdarījusi pareizo izvēli, sākot ar šo, jo, ja šis bija vājākais, tad nevaru vien sagaidīt spēcīgākos darbus.
Jā, vietām man pietrūka, vairāk detaļu un grāmatā vijas daudz dažādu sarežģītu attiecību līnijas un, iespējams, dažas šķita nenoslīpētas un atstāja vairāk jautājumus kā atbildes, taču kopumā jāsaka, ka romāns man patika - lasījās raiti un tēma interesanta.
Review at: http://queenofteenfiction.blogspot.co.uk/
Well, what can I say about Out of The Easy? There aren’t words to describe how much I fell in love with this book.
I have a feeling that Ruta Sepetys is going to be one of those authors that every time she releases a book, I will buy it no matter what. She is fast becoming one of my favourite writers.
Out of The Easy is set in 1950s New Orleans. Now, it’s not often that I read historical fiction, but I made an exception for Ruta’s first novel (Between Shades of Gray) and it was a beautiful story, so reading this book was an easy decision for me.
The story follows 17 year old Josie and her life working in a bookstore and cleaning for well-known Madam, Willie, who she has known since she was a little girl. Josie is a fantastic heroine. She is strong and smart and you really feel the struggles that she faces. Her friendship with Patrick and the story between them is written so perfectly. I also love how she is determined not to follow in the footsteps of her mother, sticking to her own ways.
I also adored Willie! She’s definitely one of the most interesting characters I’ve came across in a while. I love how much she did genuinely care for Josie throughout the story. There were some really heart-warming moments between the two of them.
Each character in this story was captivating to read about. It’s not often I read a book in which all of the characters are so amazing. They are all so unique and they help create a story that will stay with you for a long time.
The pacing of the plot is perfect. Nothing feels rushed within the story and every chapter leaves you needing to read the next one.
What I also really love about this book is that it captures the setting and the time of New Orleans so perfectly, you feel as though you are actually there with the characters. It has made me want to read more books set in New Orleans, that’s for sure!
I would seriously recommend this book to anyone, even if you don’t usually read historical novels because, trust me, you won’t regret it. It’s like no other book out there.
Well, what can I say about Out of The Easy? There aren’t words to describe how much I fell in love with this book.
I have a feeling that Ruta Sepetys is going to be one of those authors that every time she releases a book, I will buy it no matter what. She is fast becoming one of my favourite writers.
Out of The Easy is set in 1950s New Orleans. Now, it’s not often that I read historical fiction, but I made an exception for Ruta’s first novel (Between Shades of Gray) and it was a beautiful story, so reading this book was an easy decision for me.
The story follows 17 year old Josie and her life working in a bookstore and cleaning for well-known Madam, Willie, who she has known since she was a little girl. Josie is a fantastic heroine. She is strong and smart and you really feel the struggles that she faces. Her friendship with Patrick and the story between them is written so perfectly. I also love how she is determined not to follow in the footsteps of her mother, sticking to her own ways.
I also adored Willie! She’s definitely one of the most interesting characters I’ve came across in a while. I love how much she did genuinely care for Josie throughout the story. There were some really heart-warming moments between the two of them.
Each character in this story was captivating to read about. It’s not often I read a book in which all of the characters are so amazing. They are all so unique and they help create a story that will stay with you for a long time.
The pacing of the plot is perfect. Nothing feels rushed within the story and every chapter leaves you needing to read the next one.
What I also really love about this book is that it captures the setting and the time of New Orleans so perfectly, you feel as though you are actually there with the characters. It has made me want to read more books set in New Orleans, that’s for sure!
I would seriously recommend this book to anyone, even if you don’t usually read historical novels because, trust me, you won’t regret it. It’s like no other book out there.
"Decisions, they shape our destiny."
Another 5 stars for Ruta Sepetys! Do I have to say more? This book is just so good. Of course, Ruta's characters, as always, are very well written. I love how she drives the story. Out of the Easy is not as strong and packed as STTS and BSOG but it has its own spice on the story. Am I the only one who wanted more? Jo's mother hasn't suffered yet!! I NEED MORE!! And I need more of Jesse Thierry (omg).
Everything Ruta Sepetys is perfect!
I'm inlove with you, Ruta!
Another 5 stars for Ruta Sepetys! Do I have to say more? This book is just so good. Of course, Ruta's characters, as always, are very well written. I love how she drives the story. Out of the Easy is not as strong and packed as STTS and BSOG but it has its own spice on the story. Am I the only one who wanted more? Jo's mother hasn't suffered yet!! I NEED MORE!! And I need more of Jesse Thierry (omg).
Everything Ruta Sepetys is perfect!
I'm inlove with you, Ruta!
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
What a talent Ruta Sepetys has for creating fully realized characters that touch a reader's heart & immersing us in their world!
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm reading Out of the Easy exactly a year after reading Between Shades of Gray. Sadly, the experience was as far and distinct as the setting in the two books. I was disappointed to say the least. Out of the Easy missed nearly every mark and lacked all the heartbreaking finesse we found in her first novel. Not that there isn't an emotional hook -- the subject matter, while not as ambitious as Between Shades of Gray, is one that could lift the spirit, offer all the grandiose hope we look for in art of all venues.
Out of the Easy is about Josie. She is the daughter of a prostitute, she lives in the Quarter, she works alternately between the bookshop and the brothel, and she is smart. She is smart and determined and optomistic. She dreams of attending college and finally getting out of dirty, wicked New Orleans. I see a pattern in Sepetys' writing: young women with a strong will and an inner compass they steer to get them to a better place. Inspiring. The idea is wonderful and I hope it's a pattern that continues. But life is a journey, not a destination, yes? And this book's journey is just simply...flat. Reading Out of the Easy gave me the distinct feeling of "going through the motions". This is a quick read, the chapters come and go in a blink of an eye. And I felt as if every scene was written and included because it is the formula.
I think I've figured out my problem with Sepetys: there just isn't enough. I felt that way with Between Shades of Gray and I feel it even more potently now. She doesn't given enough information, enough background, enough action, enoug of anything. Josie is a girl who has been made fun of all her life -- yet we don't really experience this alienation. Sure, some people turn away from her in a couple of scenes but not enough. Josie is supposed to be intelligent, a true scholar -- yet the only factors to explore this is her desire to attend school and her job in the bookshop. We see her badly wanting to be admitted but I would've liked to see her be the scholar, be this girl that is being described.
There is a love triangle (sort of) and Josie's reactions to both boys seem off and abrupt -- because again we are not given enough of her relationship with either boy to understand how or why she reacts the way she does. And with Josie herself. I never really got her. She seemed an Everyman reacting to the situations she's put in. Like she was a manifestation of all of us within the book and all she did was choose the path that would appease us all. She wasn't her own person. She didn't have quirks that made her solid and memorable. She was bread.
On a more positive note, the clouds did occasionally part and I caught glimpses of the writer I loved all those months ago. There were sudden slices of sincere heartache, ones that finally had me rooting for Josie. Slices, however, and sudden. There were also some colourful side characters -- but then, aren't they all? Anyway, they got me through. Some of them. Oh, and New Orleans. I think Sepetys did a fair enough job of transporting readers into this old, mythic, succulent and sinful place. It could've been more effecting but I will say that it was one of my lesser complaints.
So it was disappointment. I eventually found myself skimming near the end. I'm not giving up, though because I have this feeling that if Sepetys is inspired enough, and really, truly driven to tell a story of relevance as I think was the case with Between Shades of Gray (not so much with Out of the Easy), I think it will be marvelous. Maybe next January... See you then.
This review also appears on The Midnight Garden. An advance copy was provided by the publisher.
Note: This review was made possible by Wendy. Thank you, Darling.
Out of the Easy is about Josie. She is the daughter of a prostitute, she lives in the Quarter, she works alternately between the bookshop and the brothel, and she is smart. She is smart and determined and optomistic. She dreams of attending college and finally getting out of dirty, wicked New Orleans. I see a pattern in Sepetys' writing: young women with a strong will and an inner compass they steer to get them to a better place. Inspiring. The idea is wonderful and I hope it's a pattern that continues. But life is a journey, not a destination, yes? And this book's journey is just simply...flat. Reading Out of the Easy gave me the distinct feeling of "going through the motions". This is a quick read, the chapters come and go in a blink of an eye. And I felt as if every scene was written and included because it is the formula.
I think I've figured out my problem with Sepetys: there just isn't enough. I felt that way with Between Shades of Gray and I feel it even more potently now. She doesn't given enough information, enough background, enough action, enoug of anything. Josie is a girl who has been made fun of all her life -- yet we don't really experience this alienation. Sure, some people turn away from her in a couple of scenes but not enough. Josie is supposed to be intelligent, a true scholar -- yet the only factors to explore this is her desire to attend school and her job in the bookshop. We see her badly wanting to be admitted but I would've liked to see her be the scholar, be this girl that is being described.
There is a love triangle (sort of) and Josie's reactions to both boys seem off and abrupt -- because again we are not given enough of her relationship with either boy to understand how or why she reacts the way she does. And with Josie herself. I never really got her. She seemed an Everyman reacting to the situations she's put in. Like she was a manifestation of all of us within the book and all she did was choose the path that would appease us all. She wasn't her own person. She didn't have quirks that made her solid and memorable. She was bread.
On a more positive note, the clouds did occasionally part and I caught glimpses of the writer I loved all those months ago. There were sudden slices of sincere heartache, ones that finally had me rooting for Josie. Slices, however, and sudden. There were also some colourful side characters -- but then, aren't they all? Anyway, they got me through. Some of them. Oh, and New Orleans. I think Sepetys did a fair enough job of transporting readers into this old, mythic, succulent and sinful place. It could've been more effecting but I will say that it was one of my lesser complaints.
So it was disappointment. I eventually found myself skimming near the end. I'm not giving up, though because I have this feeling that if Sepetys is inspired enough, and really, truly driven to tell a story of relevance as I think was the case with Between Shades of Gray (not so much with Out of the Easy), I think it will be marvelous. Maybe next January... See you then.
This review also appears on The Midnight Garden. An advance copy was provided by the publisher.
Note: This review was made possible by Wendy. Thank you, Darling.
Really different from her others, but I loved this one too! Sepetys is always gold.