Sepetys, Ruta
Historical Fiction
Rating: 10/10
Warning(s): Very emotional, real, and sometimes graphic. Some harsh language, no f-bombs.
(Counting as 1/7 books)
"Have you ever wondered what a human life is worth? That morning, my brothers was worth a pocket watch." At the age of 15, young Lina is imagining the upcoming dates, art school, long visits with her best friend/cousin, and all that summer has to offer. But one night, Soviet police violently barge into her families home, deporting Lina, her younger brother, and their mother. At first, everything is a shock and confusion fills the air along with cries and agony. They are being taken away! Where to, they do not know, but as everyone is gathered, house by house, the small vehicles begin to over flow with wailing children, weeping mothers, and protective fathers. No one has time to grab all they love but Lina's mom has already prepared somewhat. With jewels and fine items sewn into her mothers jacket, they cram into the Soviets truck and off they go not knowing where they are being taken. Among all the commotion, Lina and her mother and little brother, are separated from their father and don't know what is happening to him back at home.
Things start to get worse as the passengers, including Lina and her family, begin to realize that this is not a 2 day journey, but instead much longer. People begin to become sick from the poor conditions and lack of sanitation. Soviet police become more strict and demanding and all of the sudden, life as Lina knew it, is gone. Just like that, it has turned around and every hour holds mystery and lack of hope thereof. Slowly they come to find out where they are going and what will be required of them. Lina believes that all of this is happening because of Stalin and his new-found power. For Lina, Hitler starts looking like "the good guy" while Stalin, everyday becomes worse and worse......at least that's what Lina thinks.
So commonly throughout this book and many others like it, the main theme shows the everyday struggle to survive and the last bit of hope the people hold on and cling to. This shows how life is turned upside down with one knock on the door and how much that knock will cost. It portrays the fight for life of a young girl and her small family, her will to live and her hope that she will find her father. It shows courage yet doubt, faith yet fear, and love mixed with hate. There is no other story EXACTLY like this one! It is a roller coaster of emotion and truly shows the Lithuanians struggle for life.
I absolutely love Ruta, she has the ability to get a message across with exactness and strength. She makes you feel as you read and understand as you listen to the characters. Her words make sense and her writing stays consistent. She does a great job in making it seem like a journal and it really catches and enthralls the reader. She has the ability to write such a difficult story because she can truly relate. As the daughter of a refugee, Ruta more fully understands the difficulty and heart throb behind this ,most often, untold story. She really GETS it and has the talent to SHARE it in a way that brings respect for the story itself and understanding and attention to the historical meaning. Although this is her first novel, she writes it with experience and meaning. Truly lovely, well written,historically based and definitely a favorite.
I now understand why this book made it on so many TOP 10 lists and BOOKS TO READ lists because it is truly amazing. Everyone should read this! My recommendation is to all, but because of mature content, I would suggest (in my opinion) that young adults and adults read this. That is originally who it was intended for and I completely agree with the suggestion. There were parts where I wanted to faint and their were parts that even in my mind, were hard to picture because of such detail and gruesome things that without being subjected to, we don't fully understand. I would say that even Junior High age is too young for this book UNLESS extreme maturity and caution are used while reading such a historically based book. These kinds of books and stories are not for people to laugh at or go "It wasn't that bad." These stories are dear to many hearts and not to be taken lightly. When reading such a book, the detail in it is for the readers benefit, and I feel that Young Adults/Adults, starting with High School kids, are more ready and will be more appreciative of Ruta's "masterpiece."
As I recommend this book, people need to know that it may be a hard theme or subject to "really get in to." For me, I love learning about the historical things that have shaped my life and continue in shaping the world. The matter and content in this book is intended for people to gain a better knowledge of what the trials a lot of these people faced. We don't realize that these are ancestors and heroes in a way. I give this book my highest recommendation and in doing so, I also recommend that for the authors benefit and the readers, that all respect is taken while reading and digesting its words.
"This superlative first novel by Ruta Sepetys demonstrates the strength of its unembellished language. A hefty emotional punch." -New York Times
"Brave Lina is a heroine young and old readers can believe in."- Entertainment Weekly
I couldn't say it better than The Los Angeles Times:
"Heart-wrenching... A story of hardship as well as human triumph, "Between Shades of Gray" is an eye-opening re-imagination of a very real tragedy written with grace and heart."
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