“Fate is a hunter.” -Florian
“Shame is a hunter.” -Emilia
“Fear is a hunter.” -Alfred
It is 1945, and World War II has broken out, tearing our
world into bloodstained pieces, and leaving four teenagers stranded, fighting
to survive each day. Follow the staggering journey of these four; Joana, from
Lithuania, who had dreams of pursuing a medical career; Florian, from East Prussia, a restoration
artist hiding a secret that could change the fate of the war; Emilia, from
Poland, a kindhearted orphan, who longs for home, and Alfred, a slightly
delusional, yet sickeningly patriotic Nazi.
Each facing the daily, endless horrors and hardships of the world’s
darkest time in history, each burdened with secrets and loss. Separated from
loved ones, brought together by desperate circumstances, the four teenagers
will join thousands of refugees seeking safety, and together board the William
Gustloff, a German military transport ship. With little knowledge of what their
future hold, they are launched into a world where death is a constant thrum,
where surviving each day is a privilege.
This book was so engaging, enlightening, and moving. It
really made me realize that even in times of unimaginable darkness; there was
still hope and lightness. Even though “Salt to the Sea” tells the story of the
brutal and inhumane holocaust, it also tells the story of hope; hope that lived
inside both those who died for in the war, and those who were able to
survive. This book made me feel the
weight of the guilt, fate, shame and fear that each of the character felt was
“hunting” them. I felt the anticipation and anxiety along with each character,
as the book painted a vivid picture of their struggles. I felt the comfort and
safety of finding home in another person, of finding certainty as the rest of
the world is uncertain. Mostly, though, I felt the grief from unthinkable
amount of loss from this war. One thing
that is very memorable about this book is the characters, who are each unique,
while still being a flawless representation of people who actually lived during
or through WW II. I also think the history was very accurate and gave me a new
perspective as to what life was like for refugees fleeing their homes, and how
the future seemed dark and uncertain to so many. I think in this way, the book
was really educating. I also really
liked how the book was written from different perspectives, since there were so
many people affected in different ways during this war, and it is important to
learn about and remember all of them. This book does exactly that.
Reviewed by Fiona S. 8th Grade