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4.34 AVERAGE
4.34 AVERAGE
Oh boy this is my second 5 star book of the year! I think this year may shape up to have some really good reads and let me tell you: THIS BOOK FREAKING BROKE MY HEART!
I can't read anymore sad books this month lol. I don't think my heart could possibly handle it. Let me start by saying that this book was beautiful, I mean absolutely beautiful. It crafted this multi-perspective story in ways I could never imagine. I loved the history behind the story. I was a history major in college, but I have to admit this is one maritime disaster I don't remember learning about and I'm so glad that Sepetys felt the need to bring it to our attention.
The writing is actually what got to me. There is no way I could have possibly imagined that such a beautiful book could have contained four different perspectives, but it did. And trust me you won't enjoy everyone's perspective, but it definitely does add to the overall development of the entire novel. I don't think it would have been complete if it was missing any of the perspectives. I really really enjoyed this book and if you haven't read it I definitely would suggest going into blind. I think this is one that I will be doing a full review on once I get a chance.
I can't read anymore sad books this month lol. I don't think my heart could possibly handle it. Let me start by saying that this book was beautiful, I mean absolutely beautiful. It crafted this multi-perspective story in ways I could never imagine. I loved the history behind the story. I was a history major in college, but I have to admit this is one maritime disaster I don't remember learning about and I'm so glad that Sepetys felt the need to bring it to our attention.
The writing is actually what got to me. There is no way I could have possibly imagined that such a beautiful book could have contained four different perspectives, but it did. And trust me you won't enjoy everyone's perspective, but it definitely does add to the overall development of the entire novel. I don't think it would have been complete if it was missing any of the perspectives. I really really enjoyed this book and if you haven't read it I definitely would suggest going into blind. I think this is one that I will be doing a full review on once I get a chance.
I keep saying I don’t usually read WWII fiction, but here is the second in a month. I haven’t read Ruta Sepetys’s other work, but this one was incredible. It could be the author’s more personal connection to the events she writes about, but regardless she has a gift.
Four strangers meet trying to escape Germany in 1945, trying to book passage on the Wilhelm Gustloff, and trying to make sense of a world gone mad.
During my read-through, I could feel the cold and hear the crack of ice. The book gives enough historical setting and facts to set the scene, but lets the characters and their stories take the lead. We see the good and the bad in humanity, and of course most are in-between. This story is tragically beautiful, which I’m sure won’t come as a surprise to most.
I’m done with WWII fiction for the next few months at least, but I’m so grateful the ones I tried were worthwhile and impactful.
Four strangers meet trying to escape Germany in 1945, trying to book passage on the Wilhelm Gustloff, and trying to make sense of a world gone mad.
During my read-through, I could feel the cold and hear the crack of ice. The book gives enough historical setting and facts to set the scene, but lets the characters and their stories take the lead. We see the good and the bad in humanity, and of course most are in-between. This story is tragically beautiful, which I’m sure won’t come as a surprise to most.
I’m done with WWII fiction for the next few months at least, but I’m so grateful the ones I tried were worthwhile and impactful.
I cried at the end of this beautiful story. I don't know what it is about WW2 stories that are so engrossing, but it's almost a guarantee that I'll find something to hold on to in each book.
This time, I was thinking about our collective uniting against the evils of fascism, and how, despite inherent prejudice, many nations united to fight against a world-order of genocide and fascism. I think we've forgotten how to unite, in our collective selfishness. As a teacher, sometimes I hear my students talking lightly of Hitler: "He was a good leader, though." I don't know where we've strayed in that we can justify the actions of a genocidal dictator, so I shut down that kind of conversation immediately.
The beautiful author's note at the end touches on not erasing nor forgetting the stories of those who've experienced these horrors. She also touches on what reading does for us. As an English teacher, this is particularly relevant as we begin to ban books that make people uncomfortable. We need the safe space of experiencing discomfort through books.
The discomfort in this book is found in the German sailor Alfred, whom I could not STAND throughout the entirety of the book. Rightfully so, as he was a Hitler sycophant. I was just like, can't this guy die already?! Another of the thoughts I can exercise in the "safe space" of a book.
I wasn't sure I'd walk away loving this book at first - sometimes I find that good writing is sacrificed for the historical record in historical fiction. This was not the case here. By the end of the book, I was in love (or, see prior paragraph, in hate) with all of the characters. I didn't realize how subtly Sepetys had built the characters across the book. There's also a beautiful repetition of the opening lines for each character at the climax of the book. They are introduced to us by narrating phrases like "Fate is a hunter," at the beginning, and then when they are repeated at the end, they beautifully illustrate why the author chose those words.
This may be the best of the WW2 fiction I've read. Do yourself a favor.
This time, I was thinking about our collective uniting against the evils of fascism, and how, despite inherent prejudice, many nations united to fight against a world-order of genocide and fascism. I think we've forgotten how to unite, in our collective selfishness. As a teacher, sometimes I hear my students talking lightly of Hitler: "He was a good leader, though." I don't know where we've strayed in that we can justify the actions of a genocidal dictator, so I shut down that kind of conversation immediately.
The beautiful author's note at the end touches on not erasing nor forgetting the stories of those who've experienced these horrors. She also touches on what reading does for us. As an English teacher, this is particularly relevant as we begin to ban books that make people uncomfortable. We need the safe space of experiencing discomfort through books.
The discomfort in this book is found in the German sailor Alfred, whom I could not STAND throughout the entirety of the book. Rightfully so, as he was a Hitler sycophant. I was just like, can't this guy die already?! Another of the thoughts I can exercise in the "safe space" of a book.
I wasn't sure I'd walk away loving this book at first - sometimes I find that good writing is sacrificed for the historical record in historical fiction. This was not the case here. By the end of the book, I was in love (or, see prior paragraph, in hate) with all of the characters. I didn't realize how subtly Sepetys had built the characters across the book. There's also a beautiful repetition of the opening lines for each character at the climax of the book. They are introduced to us by narrating phrases like "Fate is a hunter," at the beginning, and then when they are repeated at the end, they beautifully illustrate why the author chose those words.
This may be the best of the WW2 fiction I've read. Do yourself a favor.
Yup, I totally cried. This was a great book and I knew halfway through that this would go to my favorite shelf. A real treasure.
A historical fiction novel about WW2 and stuff i had never heard of
I’d definitely recommend it
I’d definitely recommend it
Between the 4 main characters in this book (and 3 mentioned frequently without specific 1st hand accounts) I connected with 3 of those 4 (5 of the 7 total). This is a very well written book that sucks you in from the very first few pages which is something that I need to keep me interested. You easily fall in love with the characters and feel their pain throughout the entire novel. Definitely would recommend this book to others!
Excellent book. I found this to be a gripping account of WWII, focusing on a segment of the war I had never learned about. I couldn't put it down. Well written and beautifully told story.
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes