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4.34 AVERAGE
4.34 AVERAGE
A really depressing reminder of the atrocities that occurred surrounding WWII. Sepetys puts us in the perspective of four different characters, each with their own story, to allow YA readers to walk in their shoes. A well-written YA historical fiction covering a huge event that no one really knows about.
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Just finished this novel yesterday. It’s been on my list for awhile, but took a long time to get to it. I know, I know. I read a lot of WWII historical fiction. What is it that makes that era so fascinating? This story is drawn from a little different slice of the whole. It follows 4 people on their journey toward the Wilhelm Gustloff, a German cruise ship turned wartime vessel that has been tagged for use in evacuating German troops and refugees from the Baltic coast in advance of the encroaching Russian Army. The war is nearly over in Germany, defeat is inevitable and people are desperate. You can follow the fear, the hope and the hidden secrets of the main characters through the frozen terrain of Northern Germany on their way to find safety and escape. Along the way, you get a glimpse of the trials of those whose homelands fell to the Russians and the internal struggle of those caught in the middle of political and ideological forces. The real surprising part of the story for me was that of the Wilhelm Gustloff herself. The largest maritime disaster in history (in terms of loss of life) and yet I had never heard of it.
Be prepared for the sadness of this book if you read it. And be ready to grab for your favorite search engine to find out more (German evacuation, Nazi art theft, Lithuania, the Amber Roon…). Of all the books in this genre I have read to date, this one was good, but did not rank among my favorites. However, I did appreciate the new glimpses into history it gave and the memorable characters. Definitely appreciate the author’s work to bring it to us.
Be prepared for the sadness of this book if you read it. And be ready to grab for your favorite search engine to find out more (German evacuation, Nazi art theft, Lithuania, the Amber Roon…). Of all the books in this genre I have read to date, this one was good, but did not rank among my favorites. However, I did appreciate the new glimpses into history it gave and the memorable characters. Definitely appreciate the author’s work to bring it to us.
I won a ARC copy of Salt to the Sea from @buttermybooks on twitter. Thank you, Summer!
This book comes out today!! Highly recommend it!
No Spoilers.
I've read a couple of Sepetys' books, including the companion to this novel, Between Shades of Gray. All of them had been emotionally devastating, but I can't help but love them. I think this one however... this one sank the knife deeper than the others.
Sepetys is definitely a master of historical fiction. This novel is set in the German territories, focusing on the refugees on the run from the Soviet invasion.
The characters are all amazingly fleshed out, you fall in love and feel for them as they travel to safety. You ... fear for them.
Because the book is told from four alternating POVs, with each chapter only a couple of pages long, the pacing is very quick, and the plot moves along at lightening speed. I managed to finish this in one day.
If you love history, especially WWII, and you wish to hear stories about the Baltic survivors, this book is definitely for you. It comes out on February 2, 2016.
This book comes out today!! Highly recommend it!
No Spoilers.
I've read a couple of Sepetys' books, including the companion to this novel, Between Shades of Gray. All of them had been emotionally devastating, but I can't help but love them. I think this one however... this one sank the knife deeper than the others.
Sepetys is definitely a master of historical fiction. This novel is set in the German territories, focusing on the refugees on the run from the Soviet invasion.
The characters are all amazingly fleshed out, you fall in love and feel for them as they travel to safety. You ... fear for them.
Because the book is told from four alternating POVs, with each chapter only a couple of pages long, the pacing is very quick, and the plot moves along at lightening speed. I managed to finish this in one day.
If you love history, especially WWII, and you wish to hear stories about the Baltic survivors, this book is definitely for you. It comes out on February 2, 2016.
This book is heartbreaking and brings to light a little-known tragedy from WWII. Sepetys has a talent for helping us remember that the victims of war and hate aren't just statistics, they are people, and right and wrong, good and bad aren't usually clearly defined. This is a beautiful, well-researched book. I may have liked it better than Between Shades of Gray. I will read anything Sepetys writes.
Wonderful story! I love how it was told from different perspectives of people similar to those who went through so much during World War II. I felt like I got to know each of the main characters, loving some, hating others. The way it was written with very short chapters, jumping from one character to the next kept me reading, wanting to know what each person was thinking as they went through different experiences. The only thing I really found disappointing was how abruptly it ended. After everything came together I wanted it to continue -and I had expected it to, but alas it was over.
I am so grateful to authors who bring little known historical events to light. How could I have never heard of the Wilhelm Gustloff? One of the main characters comments that events surrounding the ship would be talked about for years, which in reality didn't happen. The Titanic had just over 2,000 individuals while the Wilhelm Gustloff held 10,000. I am in awe also of the amount of research that the author did to write this book. She gives a list of the resources she used at the end as well as talks about the interviews she conducted. Thank you Ruta Sepetys!
The book is told from four different points of view. Three of the characters cross paths on the way to the Wilhelm Gustloff. The other is a German soldier who helps to load the ship. I came to care about the first three, the later I did not.
A few days after finishing the book I had the realization that this book and BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY, also by the author, are connected. The main character in BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY is Joanna's cousin that she refers to in SALT TO SEA.
This book has been on my radar since last spring. I bought a copy over spring break but for some reason it took me months to start. I eventually bought the audio book when it was on sale. I am glad that I listened to the audio of this book and would recommend it. At one point I pulled out my hardcopy and read a little bit of the book. Since my audio and hard copy don't sync I ended up re listening to what I read and was surprised I'd forgotten what I'd read. I thought the audio version was beautiful.
Books about WWII are often hard to read. The difficulties that were faced are something I hope never to experience myself. Yet despite the subject the writing was beautiful. I am not one to notice language in most books but it really stood out in this story. Wow! If I noticed then it must be something special. Usually plot and character development are what draw me to a story but this was truly beautiful.
Popsugar challenge #1 A book recommended by a librarian
The book is told from four different points of view. Three of the characters cross paths on the way to the Wilhelm Gustloff. The other is a German soldier who helps to load the ship. I came to care about the first three, the later I did not.
A few days after finishing the book I had the realization that this book and BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY, also by the author, are connected. The main character in BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY is Joanna's cousin that she refers to in SALT TO SEA.
This book has been on my radar since last spring. I bought a copy over spring break but for some reason it took me months to start. I eventually bought the audio book when it was on sale. I am glad that I listened to the audio of this book and would recommend it. At one point I pulled out my hardcopy and read a little bit of the book. Since my audio and hard copy don't sync I ended up re listening to what I read and was surprised I'd forgotten what I'd read. I thought the audio version was beautiful.
Books about WWII are often hard to read. The difficulties that were faced are something I hope never to experience myself. Yet despite the subject the writing was beautiful. I am not one to notice language in most books but it really stood out in this story. Wow! If I noticed then it must be something special. Usually plot and character development are what draw me to a story but this was truly beautiful.
Popsugar challenge #1 A book recommended by a librarian
At first the multi perspective was a little hard to follow but as the story continued it got easier and easier to follow. I think that I got more and more attached to the characters as they went on but the ending was difficult to understand. I am still confused by it and I will probably reread some of it. I liked that it was definitely a quick read.
Salt to the Sea is a historical fiction book based on the little known, yet largest maritime disaster in history. It follows multiple people from a variety of backgrounds during World War II and covers missions and events leading up to and including the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff. While it is not my favorite Ruta Sepetys book, it was most illuminating and led me to research more of history and events surrounding the people and sinking of the Gustloff. Definitely a very high four and worth reading.