Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys Published by Penguin ISBN: 9780698172623
on February 2, 2016
Genres: Young Adult Fiction, Historical, Military & Wars, Action & Adventure, Survival Stories
Pages: 400
Read it as: Hardcover
Source: Purchased
My rating:
Check it out in Goodreads
Synopsis
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 the Wilhelm 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.
I know, 2018 isn’t even over yet, but, I really don’t think anything will top this.
Wow, where do I even start?
I’d expected to like this, even love it. From the get go I could tell the writing was easy to follow. The chapters were short so it was quite the fast read. It was a different experience from All the Light We Cannot See. Both are beautiful in their own unique way. Both depict tragedies and characters trying to rise above their painful realities. And they are realities. The characters may not be real, but the war was. It may as well have happened.
I never would have guessed I would like war stories. I’m so used to my romance and fantasy HEAs. But this is something else.
The characters’ diverse background brought depth and meaning
Joana, Florian and Emilia have very different stories behind them. The only thing that binds them is their desire for it all to end, to fix the mistakes they’ve made and see their families again.
They have secrets and they have hopes, and it’s heartbreaking. Because we don’t only see them, but everyone else through their eyes. We watch everything unfold through each of their points of view, adding a touch of meaning every time.
A child abandoned on the road because his grandma didn’t wake up. She didn’t wake up.
A girl so traumatized she’ll hold on to the first person who shows her some kindness.
People offering to pay for a child they can use to get aboard the ship that will hopefully mean safety.
I’m tearing up just remembering those scenes, and remembering the characters reactions through them.
Humanity and love can prevail
Reading through the book description, I think this is exactly what this story conveyed. It put these people through hell to see what came out on the other side. And they all change in some way. I just don’t think I can appropiately put in words how this story made me feel by the end.
I was floored, because yes, it was heartbreaking, but also incredibly heartwarming.
You know how there are some details that just are the right details because of how powerful they are, no matter how small they might seem. Salt to the Sea has plenty of them.
[divider]
When I finished this book, I cried a little. I reread the last pages to try to come to terms with everything. I still couldn’t get over it. I stared at the ceiling for a few minutes, awed by the writing, and horrified by what those people must have suffered.
The feels this book gave me, I’m pretty sure I’ll live with them for a long time and I’ll never forget the Wilhem Gustoff and the torpedoes that sank a ship with more than ten thousand people. I’ll never forget Emilia, Florian or Joana.
Totally recommend this book.
(I don’t know if my comment got eaten but it’s not showing up! So here it is again just in case. Apologies if it now shows up twice, eep.)
I remember when this one came out and so many people adored it! I don’t often read war stories because they are just so sad but your review of this, and reading about how much you connected with the story and characters has me super intrigued. You’ve probably read them, but Elizabeth Wein’s YA war books are really brilliant. Tragic and sad, of course. But still so good. Every so often I feel like an historical novel, so I’ll keep this in mind next time that feeling comes up!
Lovely review, Pamela! And I’m so glad you found a book you loved so much. That’s the best part of being a reader, in my opinion 😀
Chiara @ Books for a Delicate Eternity recently posted this awesome thing…Five Reasons To: Read The Wicker King
It probably was that I hadn’t approved it yet! But don’t worry, it only appears once now.
I actually haven’t read Elizabeth Wein’s books, so I’ll be totally keep hers in mind when the historical mood strikes for me XD
I don’t think I could read these kind of books too often. My heart can only take so much. This one was really amazing. Even rereading the review now made me remember and tear up a little bit again.
Thanks for stopping by, and I hope that if you read it, you can also enjoy it as I did! And yes, it’s the best thing when a book like this comes into your life <3