Tuesday 4 February 2014

Out of the Easy Review

Title: Out of the Easy
Author: Ruta Sepetys
This Edition: Paperback, published March 2013 by Penguin 
First Published: Feb 2013
Pages: 346
Links: Goodreads | Buy the book 


Out of the Easy is set against the vivid backdrop of 1950s New Orleans. Written by New York Times bestselling author Ruth Sepetys, this novel has something for everyone: love, mystery, murder, blackmail and warmth.

Josie Moraine wants out of The Big Easy - she needs more than New Orleans can offer. Known locally as a brothel prostitute's daughter, she dreams of life at an elite college, far away from here.

But then a mysterious death in the Quarter leaves Josie caught between her ambition and a clandestine underworld. New Orleans is luring Josie deeper in as she searches for the truth, and temptation beckons at every turn.


My Thoughts...

Anyone who dismisses historical fiction as boring need only read a book by Ruta Sepetys to change their mind. Her heartbreakingly beautiful debut novel, Between Shades of Grey, released in 2011, told the story of Lina, a fifteen-year-old Lithuanian girl being persecuted by the Russians, and set high expectations for her second book to reach. Out of The Easy did not fall short of these expectations and has cemented my impression of Sepetys as a brilliant author, and I will be very eager to read anything she writes in the future.


Josie Moraine is one of those characters you just know you'll like. Totally down-to-earth, a real girl with real dreams, with whom you can't help empathising and hoping that everything works out for. Josie has her hardships, what with being known as a prostitute's daughter, and having a ditzy mother who seems to care more about money and glamour than her daughter, but she deals with her lot and works hard with the hope that she can escape someday. When something bad happens, you can't help but feel as frustrated as Josie; when a spot of luck comes her way, you feel just as excited and thankful as she does. Ruta Sepetys has a real talent for making you connect with her characters in this way.


The novel's plot was greatly helped by the presence of such a realistic, likable character - a story always means so much more when you feel a connection with the characters - but was also driven along by a nice element of mystery, which made the book all the more exciting.


Even though I had loved Sepetys' first novel, Between Shades of Grey so much, I was still actually quite surprised by how much Out of The Easy moved me. It was refreshing, quirky read that has a special little something about it that makes it really appealing and enjoyable. I so look forward to reading more of Sepetys' work in the future!

My Goodreads rating... 

In One Word... 


Josie, the quirky protagonist who dreams big and refuses to conform to societal rules, + refreshingly original plot = an optimistic yet heartwarming, quirky novel.

Quotes I Liked...
“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.” 
“Decisions, they shape our destiny.”
 “I leapt eagerly into books. The characters’ lives were so much more interesting than the lonely heartbeat of my own.” 

11 comments:

  1. Great review! This book in on my TBR, so I look forward to reading it even more now after reading your thoughts on it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Interesting review. Not my kind of book, but I like it. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ahh everytime I come to your blog I smile because of the awesome header! YAY MOUSTACHES.

    Anyway. *coughs*

    I have this book on my TBR pile so I need to get to it as soon as possible. Between Shades of Gray broke my heart and I have recommended it to so many people. Ruta Septys' writing is GORGEOUS 0.0 I'm so glad you enjoyed this one, Catherine. Great review!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Very interesting. Great review. So excited to read this book. Thank you for the post.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm really glad you liked this one! I think I was the black sheep because I was so wary coming into this one because of recent bad experiences with historical fiction, but I'm glad that you found Josie's character to be so down-to-earth and refreshing. Maybe I'll have to take a look at her other book, Between Shades of Grey :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I really want to read this book, especially after reading and loving Between Shades of Gray! Great review.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I just got this one on Kindle and I can't wait to get to it. Those lines you quoted are lovely :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. OH GOOD GRAPES THIS BOOK. I can't even. Seriously. PERFECT. Yes, it was Quirky but PERFFFEECCTION. As was Between Shades of Gray & I agree..if you think historical fiction is boring then DO YOU SEE THIS FIST?:P
    Ahah anyway i'm going to calm down now...
    Great review and I CANNOT WAIT UNTIL HER NEXT BOOK COMES OUT. *dances on tabletop*

    ReplyDelete
  9. I read Shades of Gray not too long ago and... went in with too high expectations, I'm afraid. It was a good read, but I waited too long and the hype went to my head. :( I'm glad you really enjoyed this one though - I may pick it up! I love quirky characters and plotlines - they're so much more interesting to read! :)

    Great review! :D

    ReplyDelete
  10. I actually thought of reading Between Shades of Gray after seeing it in Goodreads once! It really seemed interesting!! I wanna start reading it soon! Thanks for sharing :D

    I'm too afraid to pull a prank because it scares me that they'd get mad haha! Awesome blog, by the way! :)) I really appreciate the effort you make!

    by the way, I just started a book blog myself a few days ago, and it'd be nice if you could please check it out? And if you want to follow each other, please let me know so I could do the same as well! Thanks again!! xx

    MY BLOG: jilliansbooks.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. This book is extraordinary! I have never read a book that was as great as "out of the easy". I would find myself excited to come home and read this book! Such a captivating story and I recommend this book to anyone of any age!

    Gretta Hewson
    Apollo Luxury Architecture

    ReplyDelete

Hiya there! Thanks for dropping by The Book Parade!

***N.B. This is now an award-free zone. I'm honoured if you consider me, but people taking the time to read my posts and comment is the most valuable award I could receive. Thanks! :D