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burningupasun's review against another edition
3.0
You know those books where you didn't hate them, of course, but you also definitely didn't LOVE them? Yeah, this book is like that! The characters were good, and in general the writing was good. I even thought the "love triangle" was much more bearable because it was really more, 'girl has two guys she may be interested in' and less forced, you know?
But it just kind of felt like stuff was happening, and it wasn't too exciting. I actually preferred the second half to the first, because I felt like the excitement picked up, but it still didn't make me fall in love. Also, I felt New Orleans as the setting, but I didn't really feel like the historical aspects of it played as well, it was pretty easy to forget it wasn't a modern setting.
Overall it isn't a bad book at all, though, and I did really love Josie (and Jesse, and Willie, and Cokie), and I (mostly) liked the book's handling of the prostitutes without slut shaming them too much, etc.
But it just kind of felt like stuff was happening, and it wasn't too exciting. I actually preferred the second half to the first, because I felt like the excitement picked up, but it still didn't make me fall in love. Also, I felt New Orleans as the setting, but I didn't really feel like the historical aspects of it played as well, it was pretty easy to forget it wasn't a modern setting.
Overall it isn't a bad book at all, though, and I did really love Josie (and Jesse, and Willie, and Cokie), and I (mostly) liked the book's handling of the prostitutes without slut shaming them too much, etc.
shailydc's review against another edition
3.0
Everything wrapped up a little too easily to feel realistic. I liked the NOLA history but this book won't stick with me.
danoreading's review against another edition
4.0
Liked this a lot. A really fun and compelling story with great characters and an outstanding setting. I don't know if the writing is necessarily all that distinguished but it's a great story told very effectively.
skynet666's review against another edition
4.0
Another good historical fiction novel by is writer. I think I preferred Between Shades of Grey to this book, but this setting was more fun than WWII Poland. I wasn't thrilled wi the ending, but there was nothing wrong with it at all. I think I just excepted something different.
laurenbookishtwins's review against another edition
5.0
"My mother's a prostitute. Not the filthy, streetwalking kind. She's actually quite pretty, fairly well spoken, and has lovely clothes. But she sleeps with men for money or gifts, and according to the dictionary, that makes her a prostitute."
Out of the Easy follows the story of Josie, the daughter of a prostitute, trying to leave New Orleans for college far away, in Massachusetts. She works in a book store and as a cleaner at the brothel in the French Quarter where her (frankly horrible) Mother works. On New Years Eve, a man enters the store where she works. He leaves an impression on Josie - he treated her with respect that other's didn't. But that night, he turns up dead, and Josie is determined to find out why.
Set in 1950s New Orleans, Sepetys captures the period well and shows the brutal truth of New Orleans, aswell as capturing the class and gender divide very well. Josie, working in a brothel and not at college, is set apart from the others in New Orleans.
Out of the Easy also had a fantastic set of characters. Josie, our protagonist, was intelligent and passionate and determined. She set her eyes on Smith College and she fought, and is fighting still. She's also sort of badass.
“The only reason I’d lift my skirt is to pull out my pistol and plug you in the head.”
Oh, and she loves books.
She put up with her horrid Mother, who stole from her, lied to her and put her in harms way, Willie was another favourite character. She was seemingly cold hearted, mean and vulgar, but is shown to care deeply for our Josie. Cokie was another favourite, such an optimistic, kind-hearted man. Patrick and Jesse were also good characters, and I'm glad that the romance was not at the forefront of the story, but Josie's development of self.
The writing was great, with a good pace and a strong plot. A must read for any fans of Historical Fiction.
Out of the Easy follows the story of Josie, the daughter of a prostitute, trying to leave New Orleans for college far away, in Massachusetts. She works in a book store and as a cleaner at the brothel in the French Quarter where her (frankly horrible) Mother works. On New Years Eve, a man enters the store where she works. He leaves an impression on Josie - he treated her with respect that other's didn't. But that night, he turns up dead, and Josie is determined to find out why.
Set in 1950s New Orleans, Sepetys captures the period well and shows the brutal truth of New Orleans, aswell as capturing the class and gender divide very well. Josie, working in a brothel and not at college, is set apart from the others in New Orleans.
Out of the Easy also had a fantastic set of characters. Josie, our protagonist, was intelligent and passionate and determined. She set her eyes on Smith College and she fought, and is fighting still. She's also sort of badass.
“The only reason I’d lift my skirt is to pull out my pistol and plug you in the head.”
Oh, and she loves books.
She put up with her horrid Mother, who stole from her, lied to her and put her in harms way,
Spoiler
as well as leaving her with a crap load of debt.The writing was great, with a good pace and a strong plot. A must read for any fans of Historical Fiction.
megsbookishtwins's review against another edition
5.0
“I leapt eagerly into books. The characters’ lives were so much more interesting than the lonely heartbeat of my own.”
Josie Moraine is the daughter of a prostitute. She wants out of New Orleans. When a girl comes into the bookshop she starts to dream of going across the country to an elite college. A murder in the Quarter leads Josie further into the criminal underworld and into the investigation.
Out of the Easy was a riveting read. I had very high expectations and this did not fall short of them. I really loved Josie and her ambitions and determinations. She cares for her mother despite what her mother had done to her and how she treats her. She is determined to get out of New Orleans to escape to college, and that determination is admirable even if she doesn't believe she can get it. Cokie was a character which I really enjoyed and he seemed to be a sort of father figure to Josie and their relationship was lovely to read. I also enjoyed her friendship with Patrick and her relationship with Jesse. Willie was another favourite character. She seems to be cold hearted but she really did care for all those in her care and especially for Josie and she acted more of a mother to Josie than her own mother.
The book focused more on Josie and her development than on the mystery of the murder, but I didn't mind as I didn't make me enjoy Out of the Easy any less. If you are a fan of historical fiction, and a fan of Sepetys other book, Between Shades of Gray then I do highly suggest that you pick this one up.
Josie Moraine is the daughter of a prostitute. She wants out of New Orleans. When a girl comes into the bookshop she starts to dream of going across the country to an elite college. A murder in the Quarter leads Josie further into the criminal underworld and into the investigation.
Out of the Easy was a riveting read. I had very high expectations and this did not fall short of them. I really loved Josie and her ambitions and determinations. She cares for her mother despite what her mother had done to her and how she treats her. She is determined to get out of New Orleans to escape to college, and that determination is admirable even if she doesn't believe she can get it. Cokie was a character which I really enjoyed and he seemed to be a sort of father figure to Josie and their relationship was lovely to read. I also enjoyed her friendship with Patrick and her relationship with Jesse. Willie was another favourite character. She seems to be cold hearted but she really did care for all those in her care and especially for Josie and she acted more of a mother to Josie than her own mother.
The book focused more on Josie and her development than on the mystery of the murder, but I didn't mind as I didn't make me enjoy Out of the Easy any less. If you are a fan of historical fiction, and a fan of Sepetys other book, Between Shades of Gray then I do highly suggest that you pick this one up.