New York Times Bestseller and winner of the Carnegie Medal! "Masterfully crafted"—The Wall Street Journal
For readers of Between Shades of Gray and All the Light We Cannot See, Ruta Sepetys returns to WWII in this epic novel that shines a light on one of the war's most devastating—yet unknown—tragedies.
World 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, nor 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 theWilhelm Gustloff—the greatest maritime disaster in history. As she did in Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys unearths a shockingly little-known casualty of a gruesome war, and proves that humanity and love can prevail, even in the darkest of hours.
Praise for Salt to the Sea:
Featured on NPR's Morning Edition ♦ "Superlative...masterfully crafted...[a] powerful work of historical fiction."—The Wall Street Journal ♦ "[Sepetys is] a master of YA fiction…she once again anchors a panoramic view of epic tragedy in perspectives that feel deeply textured and immediate."—Entertainment Weekly ♦ "Riveting...powerful...haunting."—The Washington Post ♦ "Compelling for both adult and teenage readers."—New York Times Book Review ♦ "Intimate, extraordinary, artfully crafted...brilliant."—Shelf Awareness ♦ "Historical fiction at its very, very best."—The Globe and Mail♦ "[H]aunting, heartbreaking, hopeful and altogether gorgeous...one of the best young-adult novels to appear in a very long time."—Salt Lake Tribune ♦ *"This haunting gem of a novel begs to be remembered."—Booklist ♦ *"Artfully told and sensitively crafted...will leave readers weeping."—School Library Journal ♦ A PW and SLJ 2016 Book of the Year
Praise for Between Shades of Gray:
A New York Times Notable Book ♦ A Wall Street Journal Best Children’s Book ♦ A PW, SLJ, Booklist, and Kirkus Best Book ♦ iTunes 2011 Rewind Best Teen Novel ♦ A Carnegie Medal and William C. Morris Finalist ♦ A New York Times and International Bestseller ♦ "Few books are beautifully written, fewer still are important; this novel is both."—The Washington Post ♦ *"[A]n important book that deserves the widest possible readership."—Booklist
Joana. Florian. Emilia. Alfred. Four young adults who could have been aboard the Wilhelm Gustloff, the ship whose sinking became the deadliest maritime tragedy ever - but one whose name has been covered by the ocean and by time. Four young adults, all from different nations, all affected by war. Joana - the nurse. Feels responsible to help everyone - but tells Florian she's a murderer. Florian - the artist. Feels used and betrayed, so he gets back at his employer - and ultimately Hitler - the only way he knows how. Emilia - Sweet and sensitive. Feels abandoned by everyone she's loved, and hiding a horrible secret. Alfred - A sickly boy who composes imaginary letters in his head to his sweetheart back home, while singing a song he composed about everyone Hitler says is verboten as he helps prepare the Wilhelm Gustloff. These four people, all with secrets and heartache, fear and fury, will come together on the Wilhelm Gustloff.
This is the first book I have read by Ruta Sepetys, and it was a revelation. Moving, honest, and gut-wrenching, it explores humanity in crisis through the eyes of these four young people. Hitler was losing power, the Russians were on the move, and the rumor mill about the Allies was in full force. No one knew who to trust, and death could - quite literally - be just around the next bend in the road. Yet, Sepetys portrays these four varied individuals with respect and honesty, even when such may show a cruelty born and bred of Hitler and his ideas.
The writing was spare - no overdone, flowery prose here. However, it suited the story and the characters within. Each character felt honest and true, like they were taken from someone real and brought to life on the pages. Even those not part of the four, but who travelled with them on their journey - they weren't just a fill-in-the-blank space characters, but felt like I could come across them anywhere.
An excellent book for anyone studying WWII, and frankly, as I finished, it seemed written with today's headlines in mind as well. The war, the refugees, those who brand others as less worthy...it's a sad state when a book written about events many years ago seems ripped from the headlines today. However, it's value lies in that reality as well - for those who may be struggling to make sense of current events, or who want to see - from the perspective of four who could have lived it - what could be their future...it's here. And it's real. And it's raw. And with all books - they have the power to transform us and to show us truth if we but look. Sepetys looked, and she shows us her vision if we are brave enough - and honest enough - to see that truth.
