A review by kimb2
I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is a work of fiction, but really details the horrors the people of Romania had to endure under the Ceaucescu regime.  It shines a light on the human condition.

Imagine living in a place where no one can trust anyone because anyone can be an informant.  Imagine living in a place where the electricity in randomly cut off, where people work on stop and if they aren’t working, they are standing in line for rationed items.  This isn’t in WWII, this is in the 1980’s!

The story outlines the plight of the Romanian people and in particular the young people in the lead up to and during the 1989 revolution.  This book was so eye opening, gripping, raw and chilling.  I couldn’t put it down.
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