Emily W asked Ruta Sepetys:

While Between Shades of Grey was set during a significant historical event (WWII), Out of the Easy does not seem to be in the same way. What made you choose the 1950s, and in particular a brothel, to write about?

Ruta Sepetys Hi Emily -

Thanks for your question! I chose the setting of post-war America and specifically 1950, because I wanted to capture that celebrated yet painful time period in a novel. Following World War II, the U.S. experienced unparalleled prosperity. But “the American dream” for some became the quiet nightmare for others. People kept secrets and what looked perfect on the outside was sometimes quietly rotting on the inside. Societal pressures to conform were severe and deep tensions developed - especially for women. I wanted to illustrate feminism in that historical context so I tried to show the female experience through very different human beings - Josie, Willie, Louise, Mrs. Paulsen, and the girls in Willie's house. In the south in the 1950's, people were often judged by the family they came from. I chose a brothel setting because it would have been the most challenging "family" for a young girl to be from in that time period.

Thanks again!

Ruta

flag