Review: Salt To The Sea by Ruta Sepetys

Salt To The Sea By Ruta Sepetys

Pages: 393

Genre: Young adult historical fiction

Publication Date: February 2016

World War II is drawing to a close in East Prussia and thousands of refugees are on a desperate trek toward freedom, many 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 to safety.

Just when it seems freedom is within their grasp, tragedy strikes. Not country, nor culture, nor status matter as all ten thousand people—adults and children alike—aboard must fight for the same thing: survival.

I have finally climbed on the hype train for this book. You hypers were right; it’s intricately plotted and very well-written. Prepare for a review full of quotes because I couldn’t limit myself to one or two. I don’t know why I didn’t read this book sooner. (Actually, I do know. I’m rebellious and don’t like everybody telling me what to read, even though you’re usually correct.) Anyway, I loved this book. It’ll easily be one of my favorites of the year.

The author drops you in the middle of the action, and that action never stops. The story follows four young people who have been swept up in the tide of refugees fleeing the fighting during WWII. They all end up as passengers on the Wilhelm Gustloff, a ship that’s supposed to take them to safety. When the ship sinks, the characters are plunged into a freezing ocean that is just as deadly as the war.

“I wept because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet.” – Salt to the Sea

I understand why so many people love this book. It has something in it for almost everybody. It’s historical fiction, so the blend of fact and fiction appeals to history lovers like me. Adventure enthusiasts would enjoy this novel because it’s a lightning-fast-paced survival story. There’s romance, danger, secrets, and characters who can’t be trusted. If you like historical fiction or books about disasters, this is a must-read.

Is it weird that my favorite character is Alfred, the incompetent bad guy? I’d never want to know him in real life. (Actually, he kind of reminds me of people I know in real life . . . .) He’s disgusting in every way. But, he’s interesting to read about. He’s massively selfish and mostly lives inside his own head. He sees himself as a hero, but he’s not. He’s really, really not. I like seeing Alfred from his own point-of-view and from the other characters’ points-of-view. They see him very differently than he sees himself. That’s realistic. Bad people usually don’t know that they’re insufferable.

“Killers aren't always assassins. Sometimes, they don't even have blood on their hands.” – Salt to the Sea 

“His smugness was annoying. This was the type of man who looked at a picture on the wall and instead of admiring the photo, looked at his own reflection in the glass.” – Salt to the Sea

One of the reasons I love historical fiction is because it teaches readers about the world in a non-boring way. I had heard of the Wilhelm Gustloff before reading this book, but I didn’t know all of the details. I knew that the ship belonged to the Nazis and was torpedoed by the Soviets. It was the deadliest sinking in maritime history. (Yes, deadlier than Titanic and Lusitania.) I didn’t know that the ship had too many passengers and not enough lifeboats. Or that 5000 of the 9000+ people who drowned were children. That’s why historical fiction is important. It can take an event that most people have vaguely heard of and make it real for us.

“What determines how we remember history and which elements are preserved and penetrate the collective consciousness? If historical novels stir your interest, pursue the facts, history, memories, and personal testimonies available. These are the shoulders that historical fiction sits upon. When the survivors are gone we must not let the truth disappear with them. Please, give them a voice.” – Salt to the Sea, Author’s Note

I’m trying to come up with complaints about this book because I don’t like to fangirl, but it’s difficult. I really liked everything about it! If I’m being picky, the beginning is slightly confusing. The chapters are short, there are four point-of-view characters, and you’re dumped right into the action. I felt like I was scrambling to catch up with the plot. It wasn’t a huge problem because I figured out what was happening pretty quickly.

This is the second Ruta Sepetys book I’ve read. I liked both of them, so I’ll keep an eye out for more of her work.

TL;DR: One of the best books I’ve read so far this year. A fast-paced historical survival novel about an event that should be talked about more often.