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jess_ika's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
jleeds's review against another edition
5.0
Hard book to read but another important story to tell. This novel tells the story of Lina, a 15 year old Lithuanian girl, whose family is taken into custody by the Russian NKVD and sent to Siberia. Millions of innocent people were rounded up by Stalin and sent to labor camps, prisons, and death. The book captures the power of hope, resilience and grit.
derektheexplorer's review against another edition
5.0
"Two Soviets pulled a priest down the platform. His hands were bound and his cassock was dirty. Why a priest? But then ... why any of us?"
They say history is written by the victors but sometimes history is buried by the victors. During a time where we focus so much of our attention on the crimes and atrocities of Hitler and Nazi Germany, much is forgotten of the equally heinous acts perpetrated by Stalin in the name of communist Russia. Between Shades of Gray is a beautifully well written tale that brings to light the largely overlooked tragedy that faced the people of Lithuania and the Soviet occupied baltic nations. This was one hauntingly gripping story that will stick with me for some time to come.
It would be hard to come up with a better summation than that given by the Washington Post, "Few books are beautifully written, fewer still are important; this novel is both."
Simply put, you need to read this.
They say history is written by the victors but sometimes history is buried by the victors. During a time where we focus so much of our attention on the crimes and atrocities of Hitler and Nazi Germany, much is forgotten of the equally heinous acts perpetrated by Stalin in the name of communist Russia. Between Shades of Gray is a beautifully well written tale that brings to light the largely overlooked tragedy that faced the people of Lithuania and the Soviet occupied baltic nations. This was one hauntingly gripping story that will stick with me for some time to come.
It would be hard to come up with a better summation than that given by the Washington Post, "Few books are beautifully written, fewer still are important; this novel is both."
Simply put, you need to read this.
spallante's review against another edition
5.0
What a heartwrenching read! I put this one up there with Zusak's "The Book Thief," which is one of my all-time favorites. I love how this story (like "The Book Thief") tells the story of war from another country's perspective. I felt everything the main character, Lina, described like I was right there with her - a true mark of great writing.
mehsi's review against another edition
2.0
It was a lovely book, really beautiful, yet haunting to read. I couldn't put the book down until I read it all. I read many books about war and how people survived or went through all the things, but most books are about Jews or other groups, I have only read 1 or 2 books about the Stalin regime.
The reason for the 2 stars? I don't like the way the ending was done. The writer builds up to a climax, the journey is almost to an end.. and bam suddenly it ends and you get an epilogue. I still got so many questions left, so many things I would like to know. Who survived? How did they find each other, how did it end, how did it go when they got home?
I am just hoping for a little extra book about what happened.
The reason for the 2 stars? I don't like the way the ending was done. The writer builds up to a climax, the journey is almost to an end.. and bam suddenly it ends and you get an epilogue. I still got so many questions left, so many things I would like to know. Who survived? How did they find each other, how did it end, how did it go when they got home?
I am just hoping for a little extra book about what happened.
monika_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Wow this book is heartbreaking, but so important to read in order to know what atrocities were committed so that we prevent them from ever happening again. I couldn’t help but think of my own grandparents going through similar things in their youth and hurting for them. This book isn’t for the faint of heart, but the story needed to be told.
tiffaniescs's review against another edition
5.0
Really great read. I could almost feel the suffering myself. Well done. Looking forward to reading more by this author!