Title: Salt to the Sea
Author: Ruta Sepetys
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genre: Historical Fiction, Young Adult
Pages: 393
Publisher: Philomel Books
Year Published: 2016
Format: Hardback Copy (Own It)
First Line: "Guilt is a hunter."
"Based on the 'forgotten tragedy that was six times deadlier than the Titanic.'-- Time
Winter 1945. WWII. Four refugees. Four stories.
Each one born of a different homeland; each one hunted, and haunted, by tragedy, lies, war. As thousands desperately flock to the coast in the midst of a Soviet advance, four paths converge, vying for passage aboard the Wilhelm Gustloff, a ship that promises safety and freedom. But not all promises can be kept...
Worl War II is drawing to a close in East Prussia, and thousands of refugees are on a desperate trek toward freedom, many with something to hide. Among them are Joana, Emilia and Florian, whose paths converge en route to the ship that promises salvation, the Wilhelm Gustloff. Forced by circumstance to unite, the three find their strength, courage, and trust in each other tested with each step closer to safety.
Just when it seems freedom is within their grasp, tragedy strikes. not country, nor culture, no status matter as all ten thousand people- adults and children alike- aboard must fight for the same thing: survival.
Told in alternating points of view and perfect for fans of Anthony Doerr's Pulitzer Prize-winning All the Light We Cannot See, Erik Larson's Dead Wake, and Elizabeth Wein's Printz Honor Book Code Name Verity, this masterful work of historical fiction is inspired by the real-life tragedy that was the sinking of Wilhelm Gustloff- the greatest maritime disaster in history. As she did in Between Shade of Gray, Ruta Sepetys unearths a shocking little-known casualty of a gruesome war, and proves that humanity and love can prevail, even in the darkest hour."
My Rating: 4/5
This story is definitely hard hitting and not for the faint of heart. I noticed right away that the authors writing style were strict to the point and that she didn't cringe away from facts that happened during this time in history, she seems to just lay them on the table for what they are. I was interested in the storyline as I hadn't heard of this tragedy, but also wasn't expecting as many gruesome details as the author included. That being said, it made the tragedy hit closer to home. Slowly the author has us fall in love with characters and also begin to understand how some characters might think in this war-torn time period.
I'm interested to read more of her work and plan to continue reading her work throughout this year.
Thanks for reading,
Sidny
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