Why people recommend it
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys is a historical young adult novel that interweaves the perspectives of four refugees fleeing the advancing Soviet army in East Prussia during the closing months of World War II, culminating in the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff. The book was highlighted on The Book Review podcast by Gilbert Cruz, who shared that he had read the young adult novel during the previous week. Pamela Paul recommended the title to listeners as part of the author's celebrated backlist. During an episode featuring Ruta Sepetys, the author discussed her deliberate choice to construct the narrative through four distinct characters originating from different cultures, giving readers a multifaceted view of the era. Sepetys also spoke about depicting the stark, devastating aftermath of destruction along the refugees' path, referencing specific scenes of hardship and survival. Additionally, Greg Coles noted the book's strong placement on young adult bestseller lists. The podcast commentary underscored the novel's harrowing historical scope, meticulous research, and its powerful evocation of youthful resilience amidst catastrophic wartime devastation.
Who recommended it
- Pamela Paul Recommended
- Ruta Sepetys Discussed
- Gilbert Cruz Recommended
- Greg Coles Discussed
Pamela Paul — 2 mentions
“which book was he talking about was it salt to the Sea it was salt to the Sea exactly”
“and for our listeners rud's books are most recently I must betray you but also her first book Between Shades of Gray as well as Fountains of Silence salt to the Sea”
Ruta Sepetys — 2 mentions
“and so to tell the story of salt to the sea I chose four characters from four different cultures and four young people”
“this was rape and pillage as these characters are walking on this path to the port and they're just seeing the afterbirth of Destruction and I explain in the book that you know as the characters are walking there's a woman in a ditch and her skirt is knotted High”
Gilbert Cruz — 1 mention
“but what I read this past week was a ya novel by a writer named rud sepodes called salt of the sea Ruda sepes”
Greg Coles — 1 mention
“and then salt to the Sea by Ruda seides is on the young adult heart C cover”
Also mentioned in the same episodes
Other mentions (1: passing, ad reads, own books)
“one of the interesting things about this book is that it deals with similar themes that you had in Salt of the sea in the fountain of Silence in Between Shades of Gray”