Compelling... Transcendent... Devastating

Told by a compelling combination of voices, Salt to the Sea brings a terrible maritime disaster to life in a vivid and terrifying way. Sepetys's writing creates a chillingly realistic portrayal of the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff. The story is told from the alternating viewpoints of four characters, each with their own unique perspective on the unfolding events. While I found this to be a bit confusing near the beginning of the book (any confusion cleared up rather quickly), this multivoice approach allows the reader to develop a deeper understanding of the characters and the desperation they face. Of course, Alfred didn't get any sympathy from me; he got just what he deserved, right? This novel explores the devastating impact of war on people's lives, both physically and emotionally; and while the details can be a bit depressing or graphic at times, they are tempered with themes of hope and resilience. Transcending national identity, the story focuses on the characters' shared struggle for survival, which adds a layer of emotional depth to the story. Through its many characters, Salt to the Sea explores war's toll on humanity, but despite the bleak circumstances, the characters display moments of hope and compassion. The ending of the book was kind of abrupt (and a tad confusing) but still wraps things up in a decent manner. A compelling novel on the largest maritime disaster in history — "yet the world still knows nothing of it. I often wonder, will that ever change or will it remain just another secret swallowed by war?"