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onthemiddleshelf's review against another edition
4.0
Simply put this book was fascinating and thought provoking. Loved it!
bridget_in_md's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this story. Loved the 4 character POV. I had no idea this was based on a true event - this was a titantic-like maritime WW2 tragedy but even worse than the Titanic in terms of #of deaths. The epilogue was a little confusing to me. I didn't quite understand the connection and felt it was a little far-reaching but a very good story.
sdefelice's review against another edition
4.0
Devastating. I had no prior knowledge of the German evacuation and tragedy that frames this story. The multiple perspective style works well here. Have to say again that this story is sad from start to finish, so don’t pick it up if you’re looking for something light.
mwesh's review against another edition
5.0
I fell so hard for the characters in this book. Their fierce beauty, flaws, and fears broke me and inspired me. The ending was perfect, the general pace of the book was spot on and the historical accuracy of some highlights were chilling and made me reflect hard. Would I have done the same things given the same situation?
Bless your heart Ruta for weaving an honest, heartwarming and shattering work.
Bless your heart Ruta for weaving an honest, heartwarming and shattering work.
ebuxton2's review against another edition
5.0
The audio book of this was amazing. I felt like the readers embodied the characters so well that it made the “reading”/listening experience even better. A very tragic story and based off true historical events I personally never heard about until this book.
strawberrypeachy's review against another edition
5.0
Initial Reaction
Wow. I don't know what to say about this other than wow. I just finished this and I think I need some time for it to sit in my brain before I try to write a review.
Review
This book pulled me in from the first few chapters. “Guilt is a hunter. Fate is a hunter. Shame is a hunter. Fear is a hunter. BANG!” Is basically how this book begins. I was immediately invested in these characters. It’s written in short chapters, which helps move the story along quickly. As the story neared the end I began to fear the inevitable; Wondering what was going to happen to the lives of these characters. While I can’t say that I’m entirely happy with how it ended, I think it wraps up nicely.
After I finished the book, I sat in the quiet of my room thinking over the story I’d just read; thankful that I’ve never had to deal with the horrors of war.
You should read it if you like first person narrative historical fiction, but be prepared for sadness.
This also left me with a renewed irrational fear of boats.
Also, I hate Alfred so much.
Wow. I don't know what to say about this other than wow. I just finished this and I think I need some time for it to sit in my brain before I try to write a review.
Review
This book pulled me in from the first few chapters. “Guilt is a hunter. Fate is a hunter. Shame is a hunter. Fear is a hunter. BANG!” Is basically how this book begins. I was immediately invested in these characters. It’s written in short chapters, which helps move the story along quickly. As the story neared the end I began to fear the inevitable; Wondering what was going to happen to the lives of these characters. While I can’t say that I’m entirely happy with how it ended, I think it wraps up nicely.
After I finished the book, I sat in the quiet of my room thinking over the story I’d just read; thankful that I’ve never had to deal with the horrors of war.
You should read it if you like first person narrative historical fiction, but be prepared for sadness.
This also left me with a renewed irrational fear of boats.
Also, I hate Alfred so much.
samfan97's review against another edition
4.0
Wow, what a heartbreaker! This book started really slow for me and I had trouble getting into it. (I’m not a fan of stories told by multiple POVs, if I’m being honest.) The book is beautifully written and the characters were (mostly) engaging. As awful as the Wilhelm Gustloff tragedy was, it is sad that it is relatively unknown today and great that this book has drawn attention to it.
acorn33's review against another edition
3.0
It’s hard to rate a book on such a sensitive and important topic such as this. To be clear, the content itself is 5 stars - it offers insights and stories not often highlighted, and for that alone, it’s an important book. However, the fictional elements - the characters and story - were weak and very predictable. There are many other historical fiction books in this topic that outshine Salt to the Sea.
hmicheles's review against another edition
5.0
I could not put this book down and finished it in one day. I really like the style it was written in where it reflects on individual characters at each chapter. Beautifully written about a historical event I knew nothing about.
galvineyezing's review against another edition
4.0
Short chapters from multiple perspectives made this a quick read.