Questions About Real Easy

by Marie Rutkoski (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (5)

I really liked this book but am perplexed by the title. It doesn't seem to match the the story. Does anyone have an idea as to what it relates to?

Marie Rutkoski "Real Easy" was the provisional title I gave the book when I wrote the first chapter, when Bella says that a woman's body was identified "real easy." …more"Real Easy" was the provisional title I gave the book when I wrote the first chapter, when Bella says that a woman's body was identified "real easy." The more I wrote of the book, the more I liked the provisional title. It seemed to invite a reader to challenge it, along the lines of, "Actually, it is NOT easy to identify ANYONE. Everyone is a really complex person." There are a lot of characters in the book, and the readers get to see them from other people's point of view and then from their own. But finally, when I reached the last chapter (no spoilers), I felt that the title shifted yet again from being ironic to being true. Some things are easy to know, like someone's love for another person. I'm not saying it's a perfect title! Just explaining its evolution from placeholder-> a title that complicates itself as you read the book -> a truth.(less)

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Hi, I see Real Easy shelved as LGBT+, could someone tell me what rep it will have?

Marie Rutkoski One of the main characters is queer, and so are three side characters. Another main character is intersex, but identifies as straight.

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This seems so different than what I've read by her before (Winner's trilogy which I loved.) Is there any romance in this one?

Marie Rutkoski Yes, there is, but it's not central to the story.…moreYes, there is, but it's not central to the story.(less)

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Is the LGBT thread the main one in the story? or is it just a mention

Marie Rutkoski Although there are many characters in the novel, I consider three women to be the main ones: Samantha and Georgia (both dancers) and Holly (a detectiv…moreAlthough there are many characters in the novel, I consider three women to be the main ones: Samantha and Georgia (both dancers) and Holly (a detective). One of them (I don't know when answering the question might become a spoiler) has a queer narrative. There are also two gay secondary characters. I wanted the LGBTQ elements of the book to be substantial and important. That said, the main thread of the novel is that there is a killer who needs to be unmasked and caught. Ultimately, though, I feel good listing REAL EASY among LGBTQ books because I am a queer writer and the book has queer characters, including a main character. (less)

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Deirdre

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