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What Members Thought

Cora
I liked this book a lot. The author did a great job bringing the variety of characters to life. As I read the book, the details made it easy to image the terror the refugees felt as they were fleeing violence all around them. Sepetys tells a story that shows how everyday people from both sides of the conflict are caught up in the middle of the violence. It sheds light on an aspect of the war that often gets lost among the other horrible atrocities that occurred during World War II.
Jesse
Aug 06, 2016 rated it really liked it
Heart-wrenching story about the worst maritime disaster no one has ever heard of. Over 9000 souls lost as they try to flee from Germany at the end of WWII. Very interesting fictional account based on real life events, with some very compelling characters.
Kiley
Nov 02, 2019 rated it liked it  ·  review of another edition
This is my second book by this author and I like the unique take on WWII stories of both books. I also really liked the characters and short chapters however, like the other book, the ending was far too abrupt.
Camzcam
Jan 13, 2018 rated it liked it
3 1/2 stars. Another heartbreaking WWII novel, this one covering the mostly forgotten maritime tragedy of the sinking of the refugee ship, the Wilhelm Gustloff. Told from a variety of narrators, it captures the horror of war and the miraculous kindness and sacrifice that exists alongside the inhumanity. Mostly good writing, with some occasional slip-ups including some cringeworthy moments of romantic dialogue. Still, an exposure of a tragedy many times bigger than the Titanic or Lusitania that i ...more
Donna
Jan 18, 2021 rated it liked it  ·  review of another edition
Nothing like a WWII story to remind us that things can always be worse. I struggled rating this as I have next to no opinion about this book, which tells me it's about a 3.5, maybe? Clearly, I'm an outlier. It's truly a tragic tale and Sepetys is creative in the retelling, but it didn't grip me. ...more
Nancy
Aug 23, 2016 rated it really liked it
Nani O
Sep 11, 2016 marked it as to-read
Ruth
Jan 11, 2017 rated it really liked it
Shelves: library, read-in-2017
Devin Murphy
Dec 07, 2016 marked it as to-read
Kat
Dec 10, 2016 added it
Brittany Gillis
Dec 12, 2016 marked it as to-read
Cherie Lampley
Dec 22, 2016 marked it as to-read
Allison
Dec 27, 2016 marked it as to-read
Natalie
Dec 30, 2016 marked it as to-read
Lisarenea
Feb 04, 2017 rated it really liked it
MichelleCH
May 11, 2024 rated it it was amazing
Shannon
Jul 31, 2017 rated it it was ok
Frankie
Aug 06, 2017 marked it as to-read
Susan
Jun 10, 2018 marked it as to-read
Taylee
Jun 20, 2018 rated it really liked it
Heidi Holford
Oct 29, 2018 rated it really liked it
Kellie Brabec
Dec 23, 2018 marked it as to-read
Sera
Jan 02, 2019 marked it as to-read
Katie
Aug 09, 2020 rated it liked it
Jenn
Mar 12, 2020 marked it as to-read  ·  review of another edition