BR - Between Shades of Gray By Ruta Sepetys


   


Paperback: 352 pages Publisher: Puffin (7 April 2011) Source: Publisher

My Thoughts - BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY centres around the story, in which the Baltic countries of: Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania were wiped of the map. People that were close to forgotten, nearly. You see,  Stalin was sneaky in how he went about things. People were taken without warning. They had no time to tell loved ones where they were being taken and very few made it back. But Stalin underestimated them dearly. People did survive. This book is proof of that.

Fifteen year old Lina is our protagonist. Through her eyes we witness the immense fear, suffering, hunger and pain they will face. The strange thing is, that no matter how intense or tough things got - I never shed a tear. But instead what I experienced might have just been worse in its own right. Instead there was this constant feeling of dread that lingered after every page I turned. This anxiousness that followed. I became very depressed and at a certain point just wanted the book to end. But I knew it was vital that I savour every moment and remember.

Lina's house is broken in by Soviet guards and they are forced into cattle cars. Whilst in the cattle cars, it's there that Lina meets Andrius and his mother, Mr Lukas, Mr Stalas, Janina and her mother, Mrs Rimas. Miss Grybas and a mother with a new born baby who was taken with her child and thrown in  the moment they cut the umbilical cord. These people, in particular, may have their differences, but Linna and her family will form a sort of camaraderie with them. They will look out for one another in times of dire need. I really grew to adore every one of them. They were such lovely characters. And although some may even deem one or two unlikeable, the strength, love and compassion they show towards one another - regardless of what they are going through - is just mind blowing to me. Lina's mother, Elena, is a whole other story. This women is remarkable. She is kind and considerate of others. She is such a pillar of strength for the group. There are not enough words that can explain how much I admire this women.  However. the conditions are horrible. Too many people in such tight spaces results in diseases and starvation taking over. Many are dead before they have even reached the destination. 

It's not an easy read. Far from it. Many die. It is heart - breaking and tough to digest for a while. There is hardly enough time to mourn one death until another has been taken. But in the midst of all this, Lina's courage and hope shines through. Her will to live is inspiring and so very touching. She is just a girl, but clearly she is her mothers daughter. Her brother Jonas is another to take note of.  He is just eleven years old, yet without a blink takes the role of protector. 

Andrius and Lina <3 These two made me smile so. There is so much suffering and pain that I did not expect how much their feelings towards one another would move me. You would think that there is no will to care or feel for another when there is so much suffering. But Andrius and Lina feel. I couldn't stop smiling every time they were around one another. I found it so endearing.

The thing is, that no matter how dark the book can get at times - there is also quite a bit of humour. There were instances where I would have this big grin on my face and then suddenly feel guilty. But I think it's important that us readers and the characters have that. Sometimes, when everything seems so grim, you need laughter and smiles to let the light shine in.

Kretzsky ;) I was intrigued by him the moment I saw him. There was something about him that just drew me to him. Like the author, there is a scene between him and Lina that was a favourite of mine. It showed a side to him that I was just waiting to show itself. It showed us that in all our anger and pain, sometimes we want to point the finger and blame ALL the Nazi and ALL the NKVD, but it's through this character that we are able to realise that there is always goodness in people. No matter what side they are on.

Beautifully written and extremely touching: BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY is a story that needs to be heard.

Interview with Ruta Sepetys:

I know that you did a lot of research for the book. What was the most horrifying, as well as the most miraculous thing you were told by a survivor?

RS - A man told me that his younger brother had died of starvation in the camps. He was devastated to lose his baby brother. He made a small coffin for him but at night, someone stole it and used it for firewood. I was horrified when I heard that and asked the man if he was angry. And his response was miraculous. He said, "No Ruta, I wasn't angry at all. That wood may have built a fire that saved someone's life that night." 

How did it feel to break the silence of these events that had been kept quiet for so long. Was it in a sense.. liberating?

RS - Well, although I wrote about the events, I personally didn't experience them. But yes, I want the world to know what happened to hundreds of thousands of people, how brave they were, how compassionate, and how love led them to freedom.

What is your favourite moment in the book?

RS - My favorite moment in the book is when Lina is stealing wood and she meets up with Kretzsky. During their discussion she has the chance to express all of the anger and bitterness inside of her and she has to make a choice if she'll do it or not. 

The moment Nikolai entered, I saw something different in him. I don't know why, but earlier on I had decided that I liked him. Can you tell me a particular story that you were told in which an NKVD guard showed mercy or kindness?

RS - Nikolai (Kretzsky) is a conflicted character and I'm grateful that you recognized that! A survivor told me that a young NKVD guard in the labor camp would look the other way when they needed firewood or had a chance to pinch some food. He could have reported them, which would have added years to their sentence, but he didn't. To show compassion in an atmosphere of cruelty like that must have taken strength and courage. 

Lina's mother is such a strong and extraordinary character. Was she inspired by anyone in particular?

RS - Lina's mother, Elena, was inspired by several strong and loving women that I know, particularly my own mother and sister. My mom has devoted her life to her children. So when I was writing scenes with Elena, I thought about how my mom might have acted or responded.  

Your father survived. But what became of your grandparents?

RS - My grandparents survived and lived in refugee camps in Austria and Germany before coming to the United States. 

You dedicated this book to Jonas Sepetys. Lina's little brother is called Jonas. Could you elaborate on that? :)

RS - My grandfather, Jonas Sepetys, loved his homeland of Lithuania. He was an officer in the Lithuanian military and fled from Stalin in 1940. He was never able to go back. Lithuania regained their independence just two years after my grandfather died. I often wish he would have lived long enough to see freedom in Lithuania. 

I was wondering this throughout the book. Who is the Bald Man, and why does he act the way he does towards the others? (I often got the feeling that he was special for some reason. I really warmed to him)

RS - Yes, the bald is very special. He is a true hero and I love him. During the war, Lithuania was tossed between Stalin and Hitler.

In 1941, the Soviets occupied and deported many people. Shortly thereafter in 1941 the Germans occupied and the Nazis–along with Nazi collaborators–killed over 200,000 Jews in Lithuania. Then in 1944, the Soviets occupied Lithuania again and deported three times as many people to Siberia as they had in 1941. So between these three occupations, much of the population was decimated. The tragedy created complex dynamics. Imagine, you might be fearful of the Soviets invading, but your neighbor who is Jewish, might be fearful of the Nazis invading. The bald man is a representation of the rare courageous people who chose to do the right and honorable thing and tragically ended up being punished for it. In the face of fear, it seems people often misjudged each other. I gave the bald man a difficult demeanor in hopes that the reader might be thrown for a loop but in the end realize that they had misjudged him and recognize his truly heroic act and sacrifice. But it sounds like you understood the bald man from the very beginning. :)

Are you working on anything at the moment, if so, could you tell me a little about it? :)

RS - Yes, I'm working on another historical fiction novel for Philomel. It takes place in New Orleans in the 1950's and involves a murder that took place there. I'm really excited about it!

I want to say how I admire and respect you for this book. This story had to be told and I am glad that you are the one to tell it. Thank you so much for answering my questions :)

RS - Thank YOU so much, Aly, for reading the book and inviting me to do an interview. I truly appreciate it! I'll be posting updates on my facebook page and website so please stay in touch!

Here are some other great reviews of the book that I came across from the following bloggers;

Posted by Blueicegal ♥ at 13:22
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