Summery Per Amazon:
Sepetys' first novel offers a harrowing and horrifying account of the forcible relocation of countless Lithuanians in the wake of the Russian invasion of their country in 1939. In the case of 16-year-old Lina, her mother, and her younger brother, this means deportation to a forced-labor camp in Siberia, where conditions are all too painfully similar to those of Nazi concentration camps. Lina's great hope is that somehow her father, who has already been arrested by the Soviet secret police, might find and rescue them. A gifted artist, she begins secretly creating pictures that can--she hopes--be surreptitiously sent to him in his own prison camp. Whether or not this will be possible, it is her art that will be her salvation, helping her to retain her identity, her dignity, and her increasingly tenuous hold on hope for the future. Many others are not so fortunate.
Review:
Reading Sepetys' debut novel was like eating a culinary delight: it filled me but, but also made me crave more! This historical fiction novel was perhaps the best book I have read in the past several years and kept me awake at night thinking about the struggles of the main character and her family. Lina is a wonderfully unique character who shows true wit, talent, courage, and determination in the face of perilous situations and conditions. Her mother, Elana, and younger brother, Jonas are also well drawn and demonstrate similiar personality traits. What's more, it is nice to be able to watch a group of characters evolve and mature over the course of a novel, as illustrated by the relationship that Lina develops and nurtures with Andrius, another teenager facing similiarly horrifying circumstances.
Reading Sepetys' debut novel was like eating a culinary delight: it filled me but, but also made me crave more! This historical fiction novel was perhaps the best book I have read in the past several years and kept me awake at night thinking about the struggles of the main character and her family. Lina is a wonderfully unique character who shows true wit, talent, courage, and determination in the face of perilous situations and conditions. Her mother, Elana, and younger brother, Jonas are also well drawn and demonstrate similiar personality traits. What's more, it is nice to be able to watch a group of characters evolve and mature over the course of a novel, as illustrated by the relationship that Lina develops and nurtures with Andrius, another teenager facing similiarly horrifying circumstances.
Sepety's language and description throughout the novel are beautiful, making this reader's heart truly break at times. Her words brought the story, characters, and time period to life and without ever falling flat or feeling contrived in any way. Everything flows so naturally that it feels as if one is leading this life right along with Lina. The historical facts included in the novel are both informative and entertaining, and if you are like me and know very little about Stalin, the Soviets, and the atrocities that were perpetrated on those considered "anti-Soviet," you will learn a lot. Between Shades of Gray breathes fresh life into the era of WWII, moving us out of the trenches and concentration camps and into the barren landscape of Siberia. All in all, this is a don't miss read for history buffs, romantics, and those who want to read a story that is truly touching and life-changing. Ms. Sepetys, thank you for a fantastic new book!
Report Card: A+
