From the Bookshelf of Drop Everything And Read…

Salt to the Sea

Ruta Sepetys

Start date: June 1, 2017

Finish date: June 30, 2017

Discussion: Read

Why we're reading this: It won the BOTM Poll.
[close] It won the BOTM Poll.

Find A Copy At

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 182 topics — 2,008 comments total

Read

This topic has been closed to new comments.

* Books Read
By Hallie , I'm all about the books · 63 posts · 754 views

last updated Mar 11, 2019 11:49PM

* Bookshelf
By Hallie , I'm all about the books · 28 posts · 39 views

last updated Dec 02, 2018 07:29AM

showing 3 of 3 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Nov 22, 2017 Steve Lindahl rated it it was amazing

The title and cover of Salt to the Sea focus on the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff, so I guess talking about it doesn't count as a spoiler. It was, according to Wikipedia, “the deadliest maritime disaster in history.” I was surprised that such a major tragedy has gotten so little recognition in accounts of World War II. 9,400 people died, many of them children. I suppose the reason this disaster is not recalled as often as other catastrophes is due to the fact that these people were mostly Germ The title and cover of Salt to the Sea focus on the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff, so I guess talking about it doesn't count as a spoiler. It was, according to Wikipedia, “the deadliest maritime disaster in history.” I was surprised that such a major tragedy has gotten so little recognition in accounts of World War II. 9,400 people died, many of them children. I suppose the reason this disaster is not recalled as often as other catastrophes is due to the fact that these people were mostly German citizens and countries that lose wars don't get to write history.

The other historic event that plays a major role in the plot of Salt to the Sea is the looting of art by the Nazis. The book focuses on The Amber Room, a major collection of priceless art in, again according to Wikipedia, a “chamber decorated in amber panels backed with gold leaf and mirrors.” One of the book's major characters, Florian Beck, was working for Germany as an art expert. After discovering that he had been misled about the purpose of his work, he ran, taking with him a priceless swan, which was Hitler's favorite.

Despite the fascinating historic events Ruta Sepetys included in her novel, its greatest strength is the relationships of the characters. Florian encounters, Emilia Stożeka, a young Polish girl who is trying to escape the advancing Russians by making her way west. Emilia follows Florian and they soon encounter a group of refugees also trying to escape the Russians. Florian is on the run, so he's trying his best not to make friendships that might tie him down, but he finds it impossible not to like and respect most of the people he's traveling with. His relationships with Emilia and with Joana Vilkaitė are the most interesting, but the "shoe poet" is also a great character.

Salt to the Sea is from the perspective of innocent civilians caught in a defeated country. Since the plot is about desperate people running for their lives, there's plenty of tension and action. This makes for an exciting read. Another of my favorites about this time period is Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian.

Steve Lindahl – author of Hopatcong Vision Quest, White Horse Regressions, and Motherless Soul

...more

Like · see review

Feb 09, 2017 Amanda rated it it was amazing

I wasn't ready for the things this book did to me. Beautiful, tragic, kind, heartbreaking; the best and worst of humanity colliding in unfortunate WWII chaos. Not only is it extremely well written - the chapter formatting is perfect - but it's gracefully supported by impeccable research and obvious dedication to historical accuracy. I had to force myself not to finish this book in one sitting (I only lasted two). 10/10 will tug at your heartstrings and your tear ducts. ...more

Like · see review

Feb 08, 2016 Angie Taylor rated it it was amazing

This book is one of my favorite WWll books, as it covers a part of that atrocious history I never knew about. I’ve read it before, but I loved it and was touched by it just as much the second time.

Like · see review