Book Synopsis: Winter 1945. WWII. Four lost souls, refugees, each with their own tale to tell and memories to share. 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 their paths will converge, vying for passage aboard the Wilhelm Gustloff, a ship that promises safety and freedom. But not all promises can be kept . . .
The Story: Ruta Sepetys’ novel, Salt to the Sea, follows the story of four refugees fleeing from the Russian army during World War II. The goal of their journey is to reach the German-occupied side to reach safety. As the story creeps closer to it’s climax the reader experiences the tumultuous boat ride through the eyes of a young Nazi soldier set in his ways, a young female Lithuanian medic, along with a young mysterious German man running from his past, and a Polish orphan seeking sanctuary from her turbulent history. Caught up in the storms of war, they must band together and make it to the ship promising them safety behind the front lines.
Why this novel is important: Sepetys brings into light the harrowing events of war that should be well known but are not. The story serves to assert that future generations should not make the same mistakes history so readily repeats. It unabashedly screams the struggles of the people and survivors who are memorialized within its pages.
What I felt really hit the mark: The driving force behind the novel’s empowering message was Sepetys’ use of point-of-view storytelling. The direct approach allows the reader to glimpse into the minds of various people and their reactions and feelings towards the situation they are in. While nearly all the perspectives allow you to sympathize and care for the character and make them in a sense, vulnerable to you, Rupa adds in a character whose effect is immeasurable. The perspective of the young Nazi sailor, Alfred, is difficult to stomach. It is meant to cause a disturbance so great it is enough to make the reader want to skip it all together.
Characters: The characters were extremely well developed and had their own significant back story that really helped engage the reader. One is truly drawn right into the center of their world and is able to sympathize and relate to them. As they continue to grow and develop as the book moves forward, their story creates some fascinating moments that you can’t peel your eyes away from.
The takeaway: At the heart of its cruelty it provides a glimpse into why it is truly important to recognize the stories of these survivors. It provides a modern connection into why the barbarism of man is a pain everyone should strive to eradicate from our future. It is an alluring story that draws on the morality of the reader and sheds some much needed light on a situation that has been buried for decades.
Rating: 10/10, an excellent investment and a must read
-Aarya 🙂
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