By Ruta Sepetys
Genre YA Contemporary
Pages 346
First Sentance My mother's a prostitute.
Synopsis
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 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. (from Goodreads)
What it has going for it
Phew! This book tugged at my emotions in every way possible. I loved, I laughed, I cried, I raged. I read this one for book club and had no idea what it was about and when I read the first sentence in the book it was like being slapped across the face, but once I got used to the idea of the main character's, Josie, life I was completely entrenched in the story. I'd have to say the best thing about this one is the characters and I'm a plot girl myself but the characters in this one were just so real and colorful and they made the book. They really did. The plot was nothing to sneeze at either. It held me captivated from page one. Hey, the book even kept me reading while I was sick as a dog with a fever, cough, yucky achy-ness, and I never can read when I'm that sick.
What's lacking
Honestly, I was so upset with Josie's mothers and the things she did that for awhile, after finishing the book, I wasn't sure I liked it. The content could be a big turn off for people and though I was too sick to go to book club, I heard there were those who were very unhappy with it. It's hard to read, I'm not going to lie, but keep in mind this is a YA book and there wasn't, in my opinion, anything too risque.
Favorite moment
When Cokie gives Josie the money.
Yea or Nay?
I honestly think the characters and plot were worth the read.
I've always had a bit of an interest in books that try and portray prostitution in a more complex way than what's usually done on TV. This sounds like a really good book even if it does have an evil mother character.
ReplyDeleteIt's really good, Lan, you should read it.
DeleteI have heard this one is a bit of an emotional rollercoaster! I think that's why I haven't read it yet, I need to be in the right mindset so that I'm emotionally prepared for everything. Glad you enjoyed it! I do love the cover as well. Thanks for the review :).
ReplyDeleteIt's very emotional. I hope you enjoy it when you do read it.
DeleteI'm so excited that you loved this book and felt all those emotions. It shocked me when I heard you cried. Wish you could have made it to book club!
ReplyDeleteLol! I cry all the time in books. In fact, I cry all the time. It's really rather pathetic.
DeleteI'm glad you ended up loving it after you thought about it for a while. And, I loved the moment when Cokie gave Josie the money too. It made me smile.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I had to dwell on it a bit.
DeleteThe book IS a bit risque, but it's totally worth the read. I loved the characters, the story (for the most part), and especially how ALIVE the setting feels. Josie's story is, for sure, heart-shattering -- it's also hopeful and just a darn good read. Glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteI think it's hopefulness is what I loved about it.
DeleteLove books set in New Orleans, as there's just something about that city that makes everything better!
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to read this one forever, and now I think I'm going to bump it up on my list. I'm definitely a character girl, so the fact the characters really stood out to you has me intrigued. Glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeletePS - So happy to see you blogging regularly again. I always smile when I see you've commented on my blog! :-)
So glad you liked it! Missed you at book club! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my all-time favorites! I loved that the characters were so well-built, and yes, Josie's mother was infuriating, but her behavior made sense, which was all I cared about.
ReplyDeleteOverall, Sepetys is amazing.