Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis

In 1945, World War II is drawing to a close in East Prussia and thousands of refugees are on a desperate trek toward freedom, almost all of them 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 toward safety. Just when it seems freedom is within their grasp, tragedy strikes. Not country, nor culture, nor status matter as all ten thousand people aboard must fight for the same thing: survival.

Couldn’t Put My Finger On It

I’m not completely sure why I gave this only a four star rating. I enjoyed it and I really have no complaints. All I can say is that I’ve read better and I suppose I’ve set a standard when it comes to books pertaining to the holocaust. I felt like this was missing something. 

Anyways

The writing was perfect. Sepetys did well with the development of each character. I don't think she captured the anguish of the time well enough though. That would be one reason contributing to my four star rating. 

Several people I spoke to regarding this book told me it was a tear jerker. It wasn’t. When people died I don’t think Sepetys played into the empathy enough for the reader to really feel and empathize with the characters. 

I think the Shoe Poet was my favorite character. He added something unique to the story. I really believe without him, my rating would've dropped a star. I like when characters have their special trademarks. 

I found it refreshing to know everyone’s background stories and see them gradually come to the surface amongst one another. Overall this was a good light read and I would definitely consider buying the rest of Sepetys’ books. 

Favorite Lines

“Your boots, they are expensive, well made. That tells me that you come from a wealthy family. But the style is one made for an older woman. That tells me they probably belonged to your mother. A mother sacrificed her boots for her daughter. That tells me you are loved, my dear. And your mother is not here, so that tells me you are sad, my dear. The shoes tell the story.” 

“I knew the legends of the birds. Seagulls were the souls of dead soldiers. Owls were the souls of women. Doves were the recently departed souls of unmarried girls.” 

“Enough studying, Joana. Sometimes living life is more instructive than studying it..”

“Mother was anchor. Mother was comfort. Mother was home. A girl who lost her mother was suddenly a tiny boat on an angry ocean.” 

“I wept because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet.”