Ruta Sepetys
Hi Christine!
Thank you so much for asking about Hannelore. Like you, I have continued to wonder about her and I would love to write her side of the story. Yes, it's probably awful and tragic. With Hannelore, I wanted to show that when Alfred put on a uniform he suddenly became/felt visible and that visibility then mutated into a sense of power. Alfred felt that he was superior and entitled to possess beautiful, innocent things - like the butterflies pinned to his closet wall - and Hannelore.
And wow, it's absolutely amazing that you thought Hannelore may have been Alfred's mother! I say that because in the original draft of "Salt to the Sea," all of Alfred's letters were to his mother, not Hannelore. I always felt that there was something unsettling between Alfred and his mother, but I thought I was the only one who felt that way. You're the first person to mention it. Thank you!!! Very validating for me. :)
Thank you so much for asking about Hannelore. Like you, I have continued to wonder about her and I would love to write her side of the story. Yes, it's probably awful and tragic. With Hannelore, I wanted to show that when Alfred put on a uniform he suddenly became/felt visible and that visibility then mutated into a sense of power. Alfred felt that he was superior and entitled to possess beautiful, innocent things - like the butterflies pinned to his closet wall - and Hannelore.
And wow, it's absolutely amazing that you thought Hannelore may have been Alfred's mother! I say that because in the original draft of "Salt to the Sea," all of Alfred's letters were to his mother, not Hannelore. I always felt that there was something unsettling between Alfred and his mother, but I thought I was the only one who felt that way. You're the first person to mention it. Thank you!!! Very validating for me. :)
More Answered Questions
Sandy Jones
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
Just wanted to say how excited I was to meet you at TeenBookCon in Houston this last Saturday. I took my high school book club members who all loved reading Between Shades of Gray. Your Keynote address was very insightful and entertaining. You didn't talk much about your family and I was wondering if you have any children? Thanks again for taking the time to meet your fans! A New Fan, Sandy
Hannah Wood
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
Hi! I read Between Shades of Gray in school this year and I loved it! I love how you actually took the time to research the topic. I would like to know what made you write this book on this particular topic? Why did you not want to write a fantasy book? I loved your book so much though. And I'm looking forward to seeing the movie. And read the rest of the books.
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