Emily
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
I just recently read Salt to the Sea and was extremely shocked as to how this tragedy has gone unspoken of in classes. What made you choose the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff as your topic of Salt to the Sea? And what inspired your characters? Loved your book!
Ruta Sepetys
Hi Emily!
Thanks for reading "Salt to the Sea." My father's cousin was supposed to be on the ship and when she shared the story with me I knew that I had to write about it. While researching the novel I was reminded of how many regions and countries were affected and suffered during the evacuation. When I interviewed people from those different countries, I realized that every human being views history through their own cultural lens so I created characters who would give voice to a particular regional experience and allow the reader to look through their "lens."
Thanks again!
Thanks for reading "Salt to the Sea." My father's cousin was supposed to be on the ship and when she shared the story with me I knew that I had to write about it. While researching the novel I was reminded of how many regions and countries were affected and suffered during the evacuation. When I interviewed people from those different countries, I realized that every human being views history through their own cultural lens so I created characters who would give voice to a particular regional experience and allow the reader to look through their "lens."
Thanks again!
More Answered Questions
Lisa Hobson
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
Hi there, I adored 'Between Shades of Grey' as someone with Latvian ancestry. I wondered how easy it was for you to research the lives of ordinary people in this time period ( I had a nana who always wanted me to write her story but I wouldn't have known where to begin)? Thanks, Lisa Farrell
McKenna
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
Hello Ruta Sepetys! I am loving your new book Salt to the Sea! My English class assignment right now is to read a historical fiction book so I heard of your new book and decided to read it. I was so excited to start reading it because I had read Between Shades of Grey and I was in love with it! I was so happy to hear that you had written another historical fiction book. One question I have is who is Alfred?
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