It’s 1950, and as the French Quarter of New Orleans simmers with secrets, seventeen-year-old Josie Moraine is silently stirring a pot of her own. Known among locals as the daughter of a brothel prostitute, Josie wants more out of life than the Big Easy has to offer.
She devises a plan to get out, but a mysterious death in the Quarter leaves Josie tangled in an investigation that will challenge her allegiance to her mother, her conscience, and Willie Woodley, the brusque madam on Conti Street. Josie is caught between the dream of an elite college and a clandestine underworld. New Orleans lures her in her quest for truth, dangling temptation at every turn, and escalating to the ultimate test.
With characters as captivating as those in her internationally bestselling novel Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys skillfully creates a rich story of secrets, lies, and the haunting reminder that decisions can shape our destiny.
(taken from goodreads)
Review:
Set in New Orleans during the 1950s, this book follows Josie who, to put it gently, doesn't have the most feasible life. Her mother is a prostitute and doesn't really take care of Josie as a mother should. She is never really there for her daughter and never has been. Josie has had to learn to take care of herself and merely make it on her own, with the help of a few friends.Because it seems like the only times when her mother is there, she only brings a collection of problems to the table. And tries to bring Josie down with her into her poisonous life-style.
Josie's main aspiration in life is to leave New Orleans and go to college. Unfortunately, during that time it is significantly strenuous for young women like her to get accepted into big-name colleges. On top of all that demanding pressure, Josie gets stuck in the middle of a murder.
This book can be best described as mesmerizing. Starting with the incredible imagery and world-building. Every description was astonishing. It makes you feel as if you were really there in New Orleans during that time period witnessing everything first-hand. The realness of it all was simply outstanding.
I really loved all of the characters in this book because they were deeply involved and significant to the story in one way or another. However, I couldn't help but remain in awe with Josie. She was such a strong, well-written and brave leading character. I really grew to admire her and all the tough decisions she made. To me, she was the kind of character that I wouldn't mind having a meaningful conversation with. Her determination and courage were worth looking up to.
There were so many heartfelt scenes in this book. And I absolutely loved that about it. Especially many of them involved a lot of the other characters. Everyone was substantial to the story and I really appreciated that. In terms of the writing, everything was on point. Very entertaining and easy to read while being both funny and moving at the same time.
I really loved the message that I think the author was trying to communicate. Not to let where you come from be the definition of who you are as a person. That you can always prosper and achieve things as long as you are devoted and dedicated. It was all beautifully portrayed and executed.
I'm sure that anyone who enjoys reading historical fiction with strong characters and plot will definitely like this book. It is a fantastic read; one that shouldn't be missed.
Rating:
Josie's main aspiration in life is to leave New Orleans and go to college. Unfortunately, during that time it is significantly strenuous for young women like her to get accepted into big-name colleges. On top of all that demanding pressure, Josie gets stuck in the middle of a murder.
This book can be best described as mesmerizing. Starting with the incredible imagery and world-building. Every description was astonishing. It makes you feel as if you were really there in New Orleans during that time period witnessing everything first-hand. The realness of it all was simply outstanding.
I really loved all of the characters in this book because they were deeply involved and significant to the story in one way or another. However, I couldn't help but remain in awe with Josie. She was such a strong, well-written and brave leading character. I really grew to admire her and all the tough decisions she made. To me, she was the kind of character that I wouldn't mind having a meaningful conversation with. Her determination and courage were worth looking up to.
There were so many heartfelt scenes in this book. And I absolutely loved that about it. Especially many of them involved a lot of the other characters. Everyone was substantial to the story and I really appreciated that. In terms of the writing, everything was on point. Very entertaining and easy to read while being both funny and moving at the same time.
I really loved the message that I think the author was trying to communicate. Not to let where you come from be the definition of who you are as a person. That you can always prosper and achieve things as long as you are devoted and dedicated. It was all beautifully portrayed and executed.
I'm sure that anyone who enjoys reading historical fiction with strong characters and plot will definitely like this book. It is a fantastic read; one that shouldn't be missed.
Rating:
5/ 5
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