YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

Winter, 1945. Four teenagers. Four secrets.

Each one born of a different homeland; each one hunted, and haunted, by tragedy, lies…and war.

As thousands of desperate refugees flock to the coast in the midst of a Soviet advance, four paths converge, vying for passage aboard the Wilhelm Gustloff, a ship that promises safety and freedom.

Yet not all promises can be kept.

Inspired by the single greatest tragedy in maritime history, bestselling and award-winning author Ruta Sepetys (Between Shades of Gray) lifts the veil on a shockingly little-known casualty of World War II. An illuminating and life-affirming tale of heart and hope.

Feel free to join us we are reading from the 8th May

I am looking forward to reading this, I am going to start it today as I finished my other book yesterday. Has anyone read anything by Ruta Sepetys before? I've heard a lot of good things but I have never actually read any of her books.

10%
I have this book on my read-to-review list, but since my buddy read schedule is quite full, I wasn't sure if I could join. I try not to read the book description (if I can help it), so I had no idea about the content of this book until I started reading.

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My thoughts after 3% were: oh, no. Not another WW2 book. I've read a few historical fiction novels in the past year (Sarah's Key, The Hanging Garden, The Japanese Lover, The Orphan Train) in which children find themselves in horrendous circumstances and I wasn't sure if I could handle another.

But at 10% I can say that I am so interested in the 4 main characters that I can't put it down. I may not have time to read it today, but I'm already invested in Florian, Joana, and Emilia's well-being.

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30% (view spoiler)[ It took me awhile to work out who was who as we get 4 different perspectives in this book. Once I'd worked out who everyone was it is ok. I am really interested in this story although I have read WW2 novels before I've mainly read books set in England so I am finding this quite interesting. I like that each characters section is quite short as it makes it more fast paced. (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[ Poor Ingrid, it was so sad that they were unable to save her (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[ I ended up not being able to put this down so I finished it this morning. At first, I wasn't sure about the multiple POVs but I thought that it was done really well and it helped to keep the story flowing. I thought having the multiple POVs made this book fly by as each character's section was quite short. The story is heartbreaking but there is some element of hope to it as we see some of the characters after the event living together. I found this book interesting as it is about an event which I never heard so it was good to learn about something new. I thought this was an excellent book and I really want to check out more of Ruta's work. (hide spoiler)]

30%
Kirsty wrote: "30% [spoilers removed]"

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Kirsty wrote: " It took me awhile to work out who was who as we get 4 different perspectives in this book. Once I'd worked out who everyone was it is ok. I am really interested in this story although I have read WW2 novels before I've mainly read books set in England so I am finding this quite interesting. I like that each characters section is quite short as it makes it more fast paced."

I quickly got caught up in Florian, Joana, and Emilia's stories.

I'm not yet caught up in Alfred's story yet, but that's probably because he hasn't met up with the other three yet. He's quite amusing, though, living in his fantasy world. I'm gathering that he has no relationship with Hannelore, other than looking into her window. She is probably part of his fantasy world as well.

I found the 4 POVs easy to navigate. I did have to check back a couple of times in the beginning when I forgot ages, but then names and nationalities are repeated every once in a while, which is helpful.

Information I've collected is:

Emilia (Polish, 15 years old, 8 month's pregnant) was sent away to Prussia to work on her father's friend's farm, where the oldest son got her pregnant. I'm guessing she might have been raped, but she hasn't admitted that to us yet).

Florian (Prussian, about 18-19 years old) is now on his own mission to expose his former boss Dr. Lange (or maybe expose something bigger related to the Nazis's gathering of art), his father is likely dead. Florian would be shot if found by the Russians, and imprisoned if the German's find what he is carrying in his backpack.

Joana (Lituanian with some German heritage, nurse, about 21 years old), was sent to Prussia by her family to assist in a hospital, has been separated from her family for 4 years, feels responsible for the death of someone close to her (maybe her sister?).

I also find that the short chapters move the story along quite quickly.

I've read (way too) many WW2 stories, from different perspectives, but I'm finding this book fascinating, and so far not as hard to stomach as some others...

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Kirsty, could you please add a percentage to message 5? I'm not sure when I can read it.

I'm glad to see you rated this book 5 stars, Kirsty! That makes me want to finish it faster! :D

TJ wrote: "30%
Kirsty wrote: "30% [spoilers removed]"

Kirsty wrote: " It took me awhile to work out who was who as we get 4 different perspectives in this book. Once I'd worked out who everyone was it is ok...."

Oh sorry, it's about 35-40% in maybe a bit before. It's around pages 135- 140 roughly. I did really enjoy it I haven't read many WW2 books and I certainly have never read one about the Wilhelm Gustloff before. I had never heard of it before so it was interesting to read about something different.

33%
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Oh, man. Half the lifeboats are missing. I hope this is not an ominous sign... I hope we're not going to have any sinking ships here...
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34%
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What was Emilia's secrets that only the ravens that nested above the cold cellar knew?
I'm speculating that she killed August after he raped her and he is in the cold cellar. Am guessing too morbidly? Something is in the cold cellar. And she was able to shoot that Germany soldier, so she is no wimp...

And what was the drawing that Florian stole from Joana? Florian is an artist, so maybe he appreciated the art...
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I hope I'm not late to join this one..

I already started..

23% (view spoiler)[I love the short chapters, it also reminds me of ..

Poor Emilia, I wonder if her pregnancy is because she was raped (hide spoiler)]

I haven't read but I've heard a lot of really good things about it and it is on my TBR. I haven't read many WW2 books but after reading this I really want to check out some more.

Kirsty wrote: "I haven't read but I've heard a lot of really good things about it and it is on my TBR. I haven't read many WW2 books but after reading this I reall..."

If you like Salt to the Sea, which I see you already did, then you definitely will like All the Light we cannot see..

ɑƨħŵɑɡ ♥Team Magnus Damora FOREVER♥ wrote: "I hope I'm not late to join this one..

I already started.."

I've been keeping Kirsty company for you, ɑƨħŵɑɡ. I'm involved in 2 other buddy reads, but I couldn't stop once I picked this up.

Kirsty wrote: "I haven't read All the Light We Cannot See but I've heard a lot of really good things about it and it is on my TBR. I haven't read many WW2 books but after reading this I really want to check out some more."

I've read soooo many WW2 books (over the years, but also in this past year for my book club), so I'm glad I don't have to read this alone.

Because I grew up in the USA and now live in Germany, WW2 is ever a present topic. I have friends from Poland, Lithuania, Heidelberg, and the Königsberg area of Prussia -- so I'm especially interested in the fates of these four young people.

I haven't read All the Light We Cannot See either, but it is high up on my priority list. Buddy read?

ɑƨħŵɑɡ ♥Team Magnus Damora FOREVER♥ wrote: "23%"

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ɑƨħŵɑɡ wrote: "23% I love the short chapters..."

I do too. It moves the story along so quickly.

ɑƨħŵɑɡ wrote: "Poor Emilia, I wonder if her pregnancy is because she was raped"

That's what I suspected up in my comment in message 11. Now I'm not so sure. Emilia still speaks so fondly of August. Maybe it was "young love" (very young love). But she also alludes to secrets... and somewhere she says something to give me the impression that she is hiding things from herself... possibly creating an alternative version of the truth.

Emilia also notes that she had a good relationship with everyone in August's family, except for one female -- August's mother?

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40%
Kirsty wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

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Kirsty wrote: "Poor Ingrid, it was so sad that they were unable to save her"

I know! Too sad! I really liked her -- she was so brave, and intuitive.

I think it was good that Florian pulled Joana and Emilia back, though. But I understand Joana's anger. What if she could have saved Ingrid? (Though Florian said Ingrid had been shot, so it was not likely).
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53%
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I'm glad Alfred is now in the mix. He's a little cooky (a lot cooky), but I still think (hope?) he is going to be an asset rather than a liability for our group.

When Alfred said earlier that he was taking ship passes as souvenirs, I was hoping that could help our group. Though he said he took a stack, which made me angry because I didn't know how big the "stack" was... all those passes mean lives that could be saved, and Alfred is taking the passes as souvenirs!

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TJ wrote: "ɑƨħŵɑɡ ♥Team Magnus Damora FOREVER♥ wrote: "23%"

ɑƨħŵɑɡ wrote: "23% I love the short chapters..."..."

(view spoiler)[exactly! maybe she is trying to block out something worse by this August person.. I don't know how that one female fits into her secret yet (hide spoiler)]

45% (view spoiler)[Alfred is weird.. so sad Ingrid died..

but Joana and Florian are the cutest <3 .. (hide spoiler)]

ɑƨħŵɑɡ ♥Team Magnus Damora FOREVER♥ wrote: "23% [spoilers removed]"
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ɑƨħŵɑɡ wrote: "exactly! maybe she is trying to block out something worse by this August person.. I don't know how that one female fits into her secret yet"

Emilia's definitely trying to block out something. I think she's had quite a traumatic experience behind her (like everyone in this story).

When you get further, you can read my comments in messages 7 & 11.
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54% Stop The Presses!

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Be still my heart. Is Florian finally going to admit -- even to himself -- that he has feelings for Joana?
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TJ wrote: "30%
Kirsty wrote: "30% [spoilers removed]"

Kirsty wrote: " It took me awhile to work out who was who as we get 4 different perspectives in this book. Once I'd worked out who everyone was it is ok...."

(view spoiler)[nice work with summarizing this, very useful.. It's interesting that by this point and until halfway nothing I revealed about what these characters secrets are.. but I am not bored at all.. (hide spoiler)]

TJ wrote: "54% Stop The Presses!

[spoilers removed]
"

(view spoiler)[I know right?! great development.. and I haven't read a story about a younger man falling for an older woman before.. and these two are just perfect!

I also noticed that you might be correct in suspecting August's mother (or sister) of not welcoming her, Emilia mentioned an Erna Kleist who did not welcome her.. (hide spoiler)]

ɑƨħŵɑɡ ♥Team Magnus Damora FOREVER♥ wrote: "TJ wrote: "54% Stop The Presses! [spoilers removed]"



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ɑƨħŵɑɡ ♥Team Magnus Damora FOREVER♥ wrote: "I know right?! great development.. and I haven't read a story about a younger man falling for an older woman before.. and these two are just perfect!

lol! Yes! My husband is 3 years younger than me. We got together when I was 23 and he was 20 -- so I can highly recommend younger men!

ɑƨħŵɑɡ wrote: "I also noticed that you might be correct in suspecting August's mother (or sister) of not welcoming her, Emilia mentioned an Erna Kleist who did not welcome her.."

Right! I forgot her name. Erna. I still don't know who she is, but when we learn about her, it seems that August is one of the "friendlies."

But what were Emilia's secrets that only the ravens that nested above the cold cellar knew? What's with the cold cellar? Up in message 11, I was speculating that maybe there is a dead body there...

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60%

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I hope that Alfred will have the chance to do something heroic.

He is so ridiculous with his made-up stories of heroism, all the while hiding out in the bathroom for hours or walking briskly looking busy.

I really hope that he will get a chance to do something truly brave and honorable, and that he will rise to the occasion, step out of his little dream world, and meet the task.

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63%

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Oh, shit. It was worse than I thought. Emilia was not raped by August, but gang-raped by Russian soldiers. I feel so heartbroken.

I hope she survives, and I hope she keeps the baby.

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TJ wrote: "ɑƨħŵɑɡ ♥Team Magnus Damora FOREVER♥ wrote: "TJ wrote: "54% Stop The Presses! [spoilers removed]"

ɑƨħŵɑɡ ♥Team Magnus Damora FOREVER♥ wrote: "I know right?! great development.. and I haven't read ..."

(view spoiler)[ maybe she killed those who raped her? Or someone did? But why would she remember them??? (hide spoiler)]

TJ wrote: "63% [spoilers removed]

"

That was truly heartbreaking ;_;

81% (view spoiler)[ Alfred is starting to get violent.. was Florian's observation about him being sociopath true???

"she's worth it too"
Awwww! I love Heinz, the shoe poet.. I hope Florin does not die (hide spoiler)]

TJ wrote: "ɑƨħŵɑɡ ♥Team Magnus Damora FOREVER♥ wrote: "I hope I'm not late to join this one..

I already started.."

I've been keeping Kirsty company for you, ɑƨħŵɑɡ. I'm involved in 2 other buddy reads, but ..."

I'll try and get a copy in the next couple of months and then we can buddy read it :)

Kirsty wrote: "I'll try and get a copy in the next couple of months and then we can buddy read it :)"

Just let me know. I'm trying to concentrate on my mile high pile of ARCs at the moment, but I'll take a break for some highly acclaimed literature... :D

TJ wrote: "
Kirsty wrote: "I'll try and get a copy in the next couple of months and then we can buddy read it :)"

Just let me know. I'm trying to concentrate o..."

Ok will do it probably won't be until June or July anyway. I had no idea it had won so many awards.

ɑƨħŵɑɡ wrote: "81%
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ɑƨħŵɑɡ wrote: "Alfred is starting to get violent.. was Florian's observation about him being sociopath true???

"she's worth it too"
Awwww! I love Heinz, the shoe poet.. I hope Florin does not d

I hope Alfred does not get violent. I am holding out hope that he will do something truly brave, something so out of character for him, but something to help him get passed all the years (his whole life) of insecurities and being disrespected and bullied (like by his father and the Hitler Youth -- and I imagine all the kids in the neighborhood).

I haven't written anything lately because I just hope that they all make it. I have such a vested interest in Joana, Florian, Emilia, Halinka, Heinz, Klaus, and even Alfred. I want them all to survive.

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86%
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oh, shit. Emilia is separated from her baby. Klaus is separated from his Opi, Heinz. I don't know if I can take this. shit. shit. shit.

Now I need Alfred to be heroic. He needs to help Heinz and Emilia. Although Emilia is tough. Maybe she can help Alfred and and Heinz.
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90%
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...so I'm guessing Hannelore is no longer with us. Something happened to her anyway.
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91%
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ug. I thought Hannelore might have been Jewish, but I never suspected that Alfred had reported her family. ug.
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94%
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Please, don't let Emilia die. Emilia can't die.
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Finished.
Wow. I'm awed and humbled. This was a really good book.

17% (view spoiler)[ I just really can't seem to like Alfred. I hope that joana and her group did find the estate. Florian is letting his kindness show that could be dangerous (hide spoiler)]

33% (view spoiler)[ No. Not Ingrid!! But how could Joana have saved her? Omg! I am sooo sad (hide spoiler)]

58% (view spoiler)[ Alfred is so creepy.. Leave joana alone she don't like you. Florian is not gonna be happy if he sees u near her. Poor Emilia she is about to pop (hide spoiler)]

78% (view spoiler)[ "She said the oddest thing. 'Because I love him'" yep. I still don't like Alfred. He is so weird he needs to be in a mental institution." (hide spoiler)]

91% (view spoiler)[ Wow.. I thought Emilia had made it. Or is that stills mystery?" (hide spoiler)]

finished... I am happy for the ending but some of the questions are still lingering... (view spoiler)[ where is Emilia?? what really happened to the poet? I know we are supposed to believe he is dead.. I never have heard of this ship the Gustloff... more people died than the titanic? (hide spoiler)]

Cinthia wrote: "finished... I am happy for the ending but some of the questions are still lingering... [spoilers removed]"
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Cinthia wrote: "where is Emilia?? what really happened to the poet? I know we are supposed to believe he is dead.. I never have heard of this ship the Gustloff... more people died than the titanic?"
We learn from the Danish couple who wrote to Florian at the end that Emilia washed up to shore (dead in the life boat) at their coastal house and they buried her on their land. They didn't know who she was until they read the article 20 years later about her daughter Halinka who wanted to swim in the olympic games, but didn't know for which country, since she was born at sea. Halinka said in the interview that her mother's name was Emilia and that she was lost at sea when the Gustloff went down.

The Danish couple knew Emilia's name because they found Florian's backpack with her in the life boat, and Florian had kept a notebook in which he wrote Emilia's name and a bit of info about her. The couple also found the amber swan Florian was carrying and they buried it per Florian's request after he wrote them back.

We know the shoe poet drowned because Florian saw where he plunged in the water and he never surfaced. Heinz had given Florian his life jacket and he had a heavy bag of coins tied to his belt -- he was also old, and probably not a strong swimmer in normal (non-freezing, non-overexhaustion) circumstances.

I had never heard of the Gustloff either, and since I didn't read the book description beforehand, I didn't even know this story was going to be about a "maritime tragedy." I guess the picture on the cover should have given it away, but I didn't even really look at that. Good thing, too -- I don't like spoilers, and the book description is a clear spoiler. I guess the title could have tipped me off, as well, but lucky for me, I took it to be symbolic...

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My review for : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

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Reading from the 10th of July 2016

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Up to 22%

Shoe Poet: (view spoiler)[I kinda like the quirky twist to his personality. Idk why, but I always love to have a character like him. (hide spoiler)]

Ingrid: (view spoiler)[Wow. Hats off to her instincts! She guessed that Florian is a thief! I can definitely see how she reached that conclusion, but still. And Joana hasn't even noticed that something of hers has been stolen. (hide spoiler)]

Joana: (view spoiler)[I have a suspicion that I'm going to end up really liking her character. (hide spoiler)]

Alfred: (view spoiler)[I don't understand him at all. Initially, I thought that perhaps he didn't really like the Nazi Party and was forced to fight in the war. But now with his weird song about Hitler's enemies, I'm not so sure. I find the letters slightly annoying too. (hide spoiler)]

Emilia: (view spoiler)[The situation of that girl horrifies me. She's just fifteen and already pregnant. I'm fifteen too and I... just can't imagine. (hide spoiler)]

Up to 43%: (view spoiler)[Ingrid's death was the saddest part. (hide spoiler)]

Up to 66%

Alfred: (view spoiler)[I don't like him at all. He strikes me as another one of those brainless Hitler followers. And why isn't he getting that rash of his treated? (hide spoiler)]

Emilia: (view spoiler)[I'm so glad that she survived childbirth. But the horrors of her past are disturbing. She lost her mother. She was raped. No sixteen year-old should ever have to face such horrors. (hide spoiler)]

Florian: (view spoiler)[I'm worried about him. I hope he doesn't get caught on the ship 'coz that would be disastrous! (hide spoiler)]