"Have you ever wandered what a human life is worth?"
"That morning, my brother's was worth a pocket watch."
When I picked this book up off the library shelf, I thought it would be about the Holocaust. While this was incorrect, it was also surprisingly close to the truth.
I took the book home with me, and as I began reading it I realized I was learning about a large-scale atrocity I'd never heard of before. Prior to and directly after being involved in WWII, Russia deported over 200,000 people - whole families - from Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. These persons were chosen for either committing or being the family member of some one who committed a "Crime" such as working at a university, being involved in politics, corresponding internationally, having been an officer in the army. Through the fictional story of Lina, the MC of Between Shades of Gray, I now know what these people went through. The author, Ruta Sepetys, conducted thorough research, including interviewing survivors of the deportations. Some of the situations Lina witnesses are directly from a survivor's memory. Many details reminded me strongly of Nazi treatment of the Jews. However, one of the worst moments in the book is when an American ship brings supplies to the prison camp. The starving prisoners are locked out of sight, but once the Americans are gone are forced to transport the tons of food which we supplied and they will never taste. We were aiding the evil, albeit unknowingly.
The story itself is well written, and the prose somehow feels gentle in places, despite the horrors being conveyed every few paragraphs. Lina is a believably flawed heroine whose resilient, tough spirit pulls her through the suffering in hope for a better future. The many supporting characters are also very well written and interesting, particularly the guard Kretzsky. This book drew a lot of emotion out of me. I highly recommend it.
I'm sorry if this review is highly fragmented, stilted, or overly repetitive. I'm quite exhausted at the moment and need to go to bed. I wanted to get this review done before work tomorrow. : / I started off strong and deteriorated to forehead-rubbing blankness. I will probably make edits as time allows.
Good night.
When I picked this book up off the library shelf, I thought it would be about the Holocaust. While this was incorrect, it was also surprisingly close to the truth.
I took the book home with me, and as I began reading it I realized I was learning about a large-scale atrocity I'd never heard of before. Prior to and directly after being involved in WWII, Russia deported over 200,000 people - whole families - from Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. These persons were chosen for either committing or being the family member of some one who committed a "Crime" such as working at a university, being involved in politics, corresponding internationally, having been an officer in the army. Through the fictional story of Lina, the MC of Between Shades of Gray, I now know what these people went through. The author, Ruta Sepetys, conducted thorough research, including interviewing survivors of the deportations. Some of the situations Lina witnesses are directly from a survivor's memory. Many details reminded me strongly of Nazi treatment of the Jews. However, one of the worst moments in the book is when an American ship brings supplies to the prison camp. The starving prisoners are locked out of sight, but once the Americans are gone are forced to transport the tons of food which we supplied and they will never taste. We were aiding the evil, albeit unknowingly.
The story itself is well written, and the prose somehow feels gentle in places, despite the horrors being conveyed every few paragraphs. Lina is a believably flawed heroine whose resilient, tough spirit pulls her through the suffering in hope for a better future. The many supporting characters are also very well written and interesting, particularly the guard Kretzsky. This book drew a lot of emotion out of me. I highly recommend it.
I'm sorry if this review is highly fragmented, stilted, or overly repetitive. I'm quite exhausted at the moment and need to go to bed. I wanted to get this review done before work tomorrow. : / I started off strong and deteriorated to forehead-rubbing blankness. I will probably make edits as time allows.
Good night.