Salt to the Sea

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Written in short, alternating chapters, sharing the four points of view of Joana, Florian, Emilia and Alfred. Joana is a caring woman, a nurse, and older than Emilia who seems to be still in her teens. Emilia is scared; needing a mother figure to replace the mother she lost as a child, and is rescued by Florian early on. Emilia needs both her knight and her nurse. Joana dreams of a reunion with her mother. This book was unexpected. It was executed skillfully and I loved how the author recreated the time period so effortlessly. It was clear that Ruta Sepetys had done extensive research on the subject matter and time period, leaving meticulous details throughout the book indicating her extensive knowledge. Ruta Sepetys has a way with words that cannot be matched or duplicated. This book will leave a footprint on my heart forever, for that, I'm sure.

Salt to the Sea Character Analysis | LitCharts Salt to the Sea Character Analysis | LitCharts

Once the youth arrive at the port, they face even more danger and hardships than on their trek there. Everyone wants to escape the Soviet soldiers, but there is not enough room.I’ll admit that I had very high expections for this book and I’m glad that every single one of them was met. I could not stop reading Salt to the sea, I kept telling myself just one more chapter, just one more (we all know how well that works). Sepetys is] a master of YA fiction…she once again anchors a panoramic view of epic tragedy in perspectives that feel deeply textured and immediate.”— Entertainment Weekly The doctor aboard the Wilhelm Gustloff. When he learns Joana is a nurse, he asks for her help and secures her a boarding pass. Halinka These four unlikely characters meet in 1945 as three of them flee Soviet advances as the Nazi regime collapses.

Salt to the Sea - Wikipedia

Oh and it was great to find out about Lina's and Joana's connection! Two different books, two different stories but one family. I'm so happy for them! Trapped between deadly leadership, Emilia, Florian, and Joana make their way to the port, looking for safe passage to Kiel, Germany. Along the way, they add to their entourage of refugees a giant woman, blind girl, shoe poet, and parentless child. Quite the motley and lovable crew.Warning: Salt To The Sea is not an easy read. But should you read it? YES! Why Salt To The Sea Is An Essential WW2 History Novel Salt to the Sea is a 2016 historical fiction young adult novel by Ruta Sepetys (book cover illustration and design by Matt Jones i UK). It tells the story of four individuals in World War II who make their way to the ill-fated MV Wilhelm Gustloff. The story also touches on the disappearance of the Amber Room, a world-famous, ornately decorated chamber stolen by the Nazis that has never been recovered. This novel follows Joana, Emilia, Florian, and Alfred. They are young adults vying for a passage on the Wilhelm Gustloff. It takes place in the Winter of 1945 during World War II. These young adults and the passengers on board the Gustloff are hoping for freedom and safety from the war. Emilia and Florian meet when Florian saves Emilia from a Russian soldier. The couple runs into Joana as she is traveling with a group of refugees. Everyone is attempting to make it to West Germany to board ships and save their own lives.

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys Plot Summary | LitCharts Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys Plot Summary | LitCharts

I enjoyed reading from every main character and wished we got to read at least one chapter from Ingrid’s point of view before she died. I had expected everything to end, But now, I began to think that maybe the sign had been wrong. I had fought so hard to overcome so much. Something changed when the knight arrived. Maybe he truly saved me, had pulled my burning wreath form the water. After all, in Poland, Saint Florian was fighter of fire. We had lots of "mean" Germans in the novel, but did the only German main character necessarily have to be a sociopathic, Hitler-loving ass without a single trace of character development? I would have loved to see him develop a conscience or compassion. Sepetys’ mission is to bring these quiet but powerful stories to life. As salt is lost in the sea, so are the passengers and their tales on the Gustloff.

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I really cared for Joana and Florian, Ruta Sepetys has a special talent for powerful romances. I can’t stop thinking about them. One of four narrators, Florian is a talented young restoration artist from East Prussia. He worked for the Nazis restoring European paintings. When he realizes the Nazis stole the art, he decides to take revenge by stealing the amber swan, Hitler's favorite piece from the Amber Room. Florian acts deceitfully and believes he is on a mission with this stolen piece of art. Later in the book, he shows himself as a kindhearted person and realizes that his act of revenge was pointless. Emilia Stozek Guilt is an important theme that Sepetys develops throughout the novel, particularly through Joana's character. Guilt torments Joana, who feels she is responsible for the likely death of her cousin Lina and other family members. While others see Joana as a kind and selfless mother figure, Joana sees herself as a murderer.