Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley
Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley is a classic crime novel that tells the story of Ezekiel Easy Rawlins, an African-American World War II veteran living in postwar Los Angeles. Easy is struggling to make ends meet and finds himself drawn into a criminal underworld when he is hired by a mysterious man to find a missing woman. The novel follows Easy as he navigates a dangerous criminal landscape, encountering corrupt cops and criminals alike, as he unravels a web of conspiracy and deception.
Plot
The novel begins with Easy Rawlins, a veteran of World War II, struggling to make ends meet in post-war Los Angeles. He is struggling to pay his rent and is desperate for a job. When a mysterious man named DeWitt Albright offers him a job to find a missing woman, Easy finds himself at the center of a criminal conspiracy. As Easy searches for the missing woman, he finds himself in an increasingly dangerous situation, as he navigates a dangerous criminal underworld and encounters corrupt cops and criminals alike. He eventually discovers that the woman he is looking for is involved in a political scandal involving a corrupt politician. Easy must use his wits and courage to stay alive and unravel the web of deceit and conspiracy surrounding him.
Themes
The novel is steeped in themes of racial and social injustice, as Easy faces racism and discrimination in his daily life. Easy’s experiences with racism and discrimination are used to highlight the systemic racism of 1950s America and the struggles of African-Americans living in a society that oppresses them. The novel also explores themes of loyalty, as Easy must decide who he can trust in a dangerous criminal underworld where everyone is out for their own gain. The novel also explores themes of morality, as Easy must decide how far he is willing to go to protect himself and those he cares about.
Interesting Facts
- The novel was adapted into a film in 1995, starring Denzel Washington as Easy Rawlins. The film was a critical and commercial success, and is considered one of the best crime films of the 1990s.
- The novel is the first in a series of nine books featuring Easy Rawlins. The series has been praised for its exploration of race, morality, and social justice.
- Walter Mosley has written over 50 books in a variety of genres, and is considered one of the preeminent writers of crime fiction today.
FAQs
- Who wrote Devil in a Blue Dress?
Devil in a Blue Dress was written by Walter Mosley. - What is the book about?
The book is about Ezekiel Easy Rawlins, an African-American World War II veteran living in postwar Los Angeles who is hired by a mysterious man to find a missing woman. The novel follows Easy as he navigates a dangerous criminal underworld, encountering corrupt cops and criminals alike, as he unravels a web of conspiracy and deception. - Is the book part of a series?
Yes, Devil in a Blue Dress is the first book in a series of nine books featuring Easy Rawlins. - What themes are explored in the book?
The novel is steeped in themes of racial and social injustice, loyalty, and morality.