Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

This was a well written page turning young adult novel based on the true story of the 1945 horrendous

sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff in the Baltic Sea.  But it is much more than that.  It is the story of individuals who faced the evils of World War II and after suffering tremendous losses, banded together in their need to reach Gotenhafen Poland...where ships were ready to save them from the assaults of the advancing Russian Army.

Told from the perspectives of four members of this group of travelers, the book's very short chapters make it a quick read as it jumps from Joana to Florian to Emilia to Alfred.  Sepetys is a descriptive writer who brings the reader into an emotional bond with each of the characters who have lost parents, siblings,  homes..and innocence, at the hands of Hitler's and Stalin's henchman.

Every time I read a war story, I am once again outraged and sorrowful at the atrocities of war and how it can turn common men into greedy, debased humans who blindly follow a misguided, mentally deranged leader.  At the same time, I am thankful for the countless numbers of military men and women who were able to keep their humanity, their integrity and their kindness in their fights for the freedoms of others.

This novel brought to life yet another piece of World War II that I knew nothing about.  It was well worth the read.