Summary
In 1941 the Soviet Union, led by Stalin, annexed the Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Fearing opposition to the annexation, hundreds of thousands of people were sent to internment camps in Siberia. Between Shades of Gray is a moving story of a 15 year old Lithuania girl and her family that were interned in these camps. Lina, her mother and younger brother are pulled from their home in the middle of the night and shipped across Russia in cattle cars. Once at the camp they are forced into hard labor and meager rations. The inhabitants of the camp are forced to deal with cold, exhaustion, disease, and starvation. Tragedy, the will to survive, friendship, and hope are intermingled throughout this beautifully told story of a tragic event in history.
Critical Analysis
This is a powerful story of the human spirit during a shockingly dark event in history. The authentic characters and detailed descriptions make the scenes come alive. Sepetys does not sugar coat the events. Death, starvation, disease and freezing conditions are thoroughly described. Flashbacks are used to provide contrast between the happy family life and the horrible conditions of the camp. They also provide suspense as they slowly reveal the reasons why Linas family was chosen to be interned in the camps. The weakness of this novel is in its ending. I was left wondering what happened to the character in the 50 years between the last chapter and the epilogue.
The strength of the novel is the historically accurate details. The crammed cattle cars, the life in the internment camps, the relationships that develop between the prisoners, and even the fear the characters continued to feel after being released all resonate with a ring of truth. The romance between Lina and Andrius adds a lightness to the dark subject matter of the book. One of the best books I have read this year.
In 1941 the Soviet Union, led by Stalin, annexed the Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Fearing opposition to the annexation, hundreds of thousands of people were sent to internment camps in Siberia. Between Shades of Gray is a moving story of a 15 year old Lithuania girl and her family that were interned in these camps. Lina, her mother and younger brother are pulled from their home in the middle of the night and shipped across Russia in cattle cars. Once at the camp they are forced into hard labor and meager rations. The inhabitants of the camp are forced to deal with cold, exhaustion, disease, and starvation. Tragedy, the will to survive, friendship, and hope are intermingled throughout this beautifully told story of a tragic event in history.
Critical Analysis
This is a powerful story of the human spirit during a shockingly dark event in history. The authentic characters and detailed descriptions make the scenes come alive. Sepetys does not sugar coat the events. Death, starvation, disease and freezing conditions are thoroughly described. Flashbacks are used to provide contrast between the happy family life and the horrible conditions of the camp. They also provide suspense as they slowly reveal the reasons why Linas family was chosen to be interned in the camps. The weakness of this novel is in its ending. I was left wondering what happened to the character in the 50 years between the last chapter and the epilogue.
The strength of the novel is the historically accurate details. The crammed cattle cars, the life in the internment camps, the relationships that develop between the prisoners, and even the fear the characters continued to feel after being released all resonate with a ring of truth. The romance between Lina and Andrius adds a lightness to the dark subject matter of the book. One of the best books I have read this year.
Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
