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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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:
Yes
This book was such a captivating read! It transports you back in time to the 1950's which is a such an interesting time period due in American History due to the unprecedented levels of wealth and leisure time. It is during this decade the the we see the birth of the middle class as well as the push for absolutely everything to be PERFECT. Everyone was under enormous pressure to conform to a very specific life and the social pressure resulted in a tremendous amount of repression for many. Sepetys does a fabulous job presenting this decade and bringing to life all of the joys and struggles that were prevalent at the time.
The story is set in New Orleans which might be another reason that I enjoyed this book so much. It is clear that Sepetys spent a lot of time in NOLA and the French Quarter in particular. She really brings the city to life and truly captures the spirit of the Quarter. Through this story we see the seedy underbelly of New Orleans complete with the mafia, gangsters, brothels, prostitutes, hustlers and swindlers. But we also are shown so extremely kind, loyal, generous and hard working characters who want nothing more than to be respected and live a good life. To me this novel felt full of such a wide variety of character who all felt equally as real. I was sad to say goodbye to Josie, Jesse, Patrick, and Willy but I sure did enjoy reading their story. I would highly recommend this book to just about anyone.
The story is set in New Orleans which might be another reason that I enjoyed this book so much. It is clear that Sepetys spent a lot of time in NOLA and the French Quarter in particular. She really brings the city to life and truly captures the spirit of the Quarter. Through this story we see the seedy underbelly of New Orleans complete with the mafia, gangsters, brothels, prostitutes, hustlers and swindlers. But we also are shown so extremely kind, loyal, generous and hard working characters who want nothing more than to be respected and live a good life. To me this novel felt full of such a wide variety of character who all felt equally as real. I was sad to say goodbye to Josie, Jesse, Patrick, and Willy but I sure did enjoy reading their story. I would highly recommend this book to just about anyone.
This book gave an interesting picture of life in New Orleans in the 1950’s. It follows the story of Josie, who is caught between the world of her mother as a prostitute and her own desire to better herself and her life.
I have read Ruta Sepetys’ other two books and loved them both and also enjoyed this one. She has an excellent writing style and is a great storyteller. The way in which she introduced and reveals her characters is great- she doesn’t shy away from their flaws but shows you who they truly are.
I especially loved getting to know Josie, Jesse, Cokie and Willie- the loyalty and love they have for one another is admirable and inspiring.
New Orleans is not my favourite place and I know there is a lot of crazy history there especially in terms of its history of crime and prostitution. This book showed the human side of these things and shed some light on how certain events might come about. I appreciated learning a bit more of its history.
All in all an enjoyable read that kept me wanting to keep picking it up to read the rest of the story.
I have read Ruta Sepetys’ other two books and loved them both and also enjoyed this one. She has an excellent writing style and is a great storyteller. The way in which she introduced and reveals her characters is great- she doesn’t shy away from their flaws but shows you who they truly are.
I especially loved getting to know Josie, Jesse, Cokie and Willie- the loyalty and love they have for one another is admirable and inspiring.
New Orleans is not my favourite place and I know there is a lot of crazy history there especially in terms of its history of crime and prostitution. This book showed the human side of these things and shed some light on how certain events might come about. I appreciated learning a bit more of its history.
All in all an enjoyable read that kept me wanting to keep picking it up to read the rest of the story.
Compared to the other Ruta Sepetys books I've read this felt choppy and like it needed more fleshing out (especially the secondary characters).
I don't think I have ever read a book about the underbelly of New Orleans French Quarter. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I can't believe this is the same author who wrote "between shades of grey" because it is so different. A really entertaining read with a wonderful and "plucky" - in a my mom is a prostitute and I clean the madams house - heroine.
This was the only fictional book written by Ruta that I hadn’t read yet. I’ve wanted to pick it up for quite some time and I am so glad that I finally did. I felt like this one was so much different from all of her other books, I can’t exactly say what made it so different, but it was still amazing. I couldn’t put it down and that’s a very good sign, but I was expecting nothing less from one of my favorite authors!
After reading Between Shades of Grey, I didn't think that this book would live up to my expectations but it was so enticing that I ended up finishing it in a day! Love the author!
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
LOVED Willie's character! It's been a while since I've encountered a genuinely unique personality in fiction. She's incredibly realistic. As far as story, nothing else needs to be said other than 5/5. Sometimes her thoughts of lies and moments of sadness are a bit exaggerated, and I find it difficult to believe in her close relationship with Charlotte, but ultimately the book was wrapped up well. 100% enjoyed!
feel like kind of a jerk for saying that this book made me a lot more emotional than one about the Baltic genocides, but it's true. the characters in this one were just so much more alive and incredible.