Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys Audiobook Review

Out of the Easy by Ruta SepetysBook: Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys, Penguin Audio, Feb. 12, 2013

Book Info: YA Historical Fiction, Audiobook received for review from Penguin Audio and Audiobook Jukebox. Running time: 9 hrs, 51 mins. Read by: Lauren Fortgang. Also available in HC, 352 pages from Philomel.

Rating: 5 / 5 Stars

More Info: Goodreads | Audible | Amazon

I’m a big fan of this authors Between Shades of Gray (not to be confused with that other Shades of Gray) and was excited to check out her new novel. This is quite a departure for Ruta Sepetys and I was curious to see what she would do with it. Historical is not my category of choice, but Out of the Easy’s New Orleans 50s setting was an easy sell for me. Sepetys weaves a great story and uses the Bayou setting to good advantage along with a cast of colorful characters.  I’d read more historical if they read as easy as Out of the Easy.

Josie Moraine is a street-smart 17-year old who is wise beyond her years. She’s the daughter of a brothel prostitute and not high on her list of priorities. The brothel madam Willie is in fact more of a maternal figure to her. Josie works in a bookstore and lives alone in a room upstairs. It’s her dream to go to college and escape the Big Easy. Josie gets caught up in the mystery of a stranger’s death though that puts her future plans at risk.

Even though Out of the Easy takes place in the past, the contemporary theme is relatable to today’s reader. Obviously Josie hasn’t had an easy life, and her mom is a nightmare. But Josie is pretty tough and self-reliant, not that she had a choice in the matter. College is out of reach for a lot of teens in the best of circumstances but Josie has even more of an uphill battle to climb. She has a lot to worry about in her daily life, and now gets into some sticky business with her love life as well. Along with the mysterious death, there’s a lot going on in Out of the Easy.

The characters really stand out in this novel. Josie especially is root worthy and you want things to go her way for once. She is a spunky go-getter that is easy to like. I enjoyed the makeshift family she has supporting her, when she has been so letdown by her blood family.

Sometimes historical reads are slow paced for me, but Out of the Easy read quickly and kept me entertained. The character voices are strong and full of life and the historical details ring true. I was thinking about the characters and that they have shades of gray to them much like the title of Sepetys debut. You wouldn’t think to find so many sympathetic characters in the corrupt world of this novel but Sepetys does open your mind with her portrayal.

Narrator Lauren Fortgang reads the audiobook. It is my first time listening to this reader, though she has a lot of audiobook experience under her belt. Fortgang expertly conveys Josie’s tough yet vulnerable nature and puts a spicy, rich tone into her reading. The flavor of New Orleans comes through the audiobook and there’s a lot of attention to detail put into each character. In Fortgang’s hands the 1950 setting comes alive with personality. I do think the audiobook format gives the story that something extra and it’s a treat to listen to. The author talks about all the research she put into writing this book at the conclusion of the audiobook.

This is my second 5-star read of the year, and I think it will appeal to fans of Ruta Sepetys, and fans of New Orleans centered noir. Maybe I haven’t given historical a fair shake in the past, but I’m open to trying out some more and seeing what’s next from Sepetys.

If this sounds like your cup of tea, you might also like these books:

Between Shades of Gray HCStrings Attached

Ornament

18 thoughts on “Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys Audiobook Review

  1. K. says:

    Wow, you quite liked this a little more than I did. For some reason, I just didn’t find it as strong as Between Shades of Gray, which I loved. But you’re right, the setting here was a definitely a strong point and Sepetys did a great job transporting us there. I love New Orleans 🙂 Great review!

    1. Lucy says:

      There are big shoes to fill with Between Shades of Gray! I love the New Orleans setting as well, maybe because I hope to visit there someday. I need to go check out your review!

  2. MsJohannah says:

    I might have to check this one out… after I read between the shades of gray…

    1. Lucy says:

      Between Shades of Gray is incredible, and quite sad too. Hope you enjoy it if you decide to pick it up 🙂

  3. squee1313 says:

    I just finished this one last night. I love a lot of things about Ruta’s books. She never goes easy on the characters. Their live’s are often hard, and that’s realistic. And while I’m not ashamed to love a good YA romance, I appreciate that Ruta writes more about being a strong young woman. There’s romance, but her girls have more important things to contend with and they don’t dismiss their bigger goals and issues because they’re obsessing over boys. Sepetys doesn’t go in for all that cliched teenage angst, and that is refreshing. I think after reading this book and her Shades of Gray, I’ve determined that Sepetys is going to be one of my favorite authors. I’ll get her books without question in the future.

    1. Lucy says:

      That is a great point about the strong female characters in Ruta’s books. I’m glad you mentioned that. And you’re right that with the big issues in the character’s lives the romance is secondary. Very refreshing. I picked up Between Shades of Gray for my daughter partly for those very reasons.
      Totally agree that this author is auto-buy 🙂 Glad you enjoyed Out of the Easy too!

  4. I keep thinking I want to read this one! Great review!

    1. Lucy says:

      I think you’d like it and I’m sure it would make a gorgeous picture review!

  5. bookgoonie says:

    I initially wasn’t drawn to the book. Though the cover is cute, I just didn’t think it gave up any information of what it was about. I’ve since discovered this is a MUST & I think I’ll attack the audio like I did with Between Shades…
    50s NOLA sounds like somewhere I need to go.

  6. Thanks for the beautiful review! This novel was a complete joy to bring to life. And Ruta was warm, engaging and passionate. Definitely the kind of author for whom you want to bring your very best to the table. I’m glad so many readers/listeners are having a positive experience with this title!

  7. […] by Tai Sammons, Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell, read by Rebecca Lowman and Sunil Malhotra, Out of The Easy by Ruta Sepetys read by Lauren Fortgang, and The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, read by Kate […]

  8. […] liked Lauren Fortgang’s narration on Out of The Easy, and I’m thinking of picking up the Shadow and Bone series that she also reads. I also like […]

  9. […] Out of The Easy by Ruta Sepetys –  Set in 1950s New Orleans, Out of The Easy has colorful characters and a spunky […]

  10. […] Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys – Performed by Lauren Fortgang […]

  11. […] Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys – This author just makes me love historical fiction! Set in 1950 New Orleans, […]

  12. […] 9 hours, 51 minutes. This was my first experience with narrator Lauren Fortgang, and as I said in my review, “Fortgang expertly conveys Josie’s tough yet vulnerable nature and puts a spicy, rich tone […]

  13. […] be optimistic and say I can bring my kindle, okay? A few 2013 favorites are: Sex & Violence, Out of the Easy, Fangirl, The Reece Malcolm List, This Song Will Save Your Life, and Openly […]

  14. […] Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys (audiobook review) […]

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