Summary
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys is a critically acclaimed work of historical fiction that sheds light on one of World War II's most devastating yet little-known tragedies. Published in 2016, the novel follows four young people from different backgrounds as they flee the advancing Soviet army in East Prussia in 1945. The gripping narrative revolves around the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff, a German cruise liner overcrowded with refugees. This maritime disaster claimed over 9,000 lives, making it the deadliest in history. Sepetys's meticulous research and powerful storytelling bring this forgotten event to life, earning her the prestigious Carnegie Medal in 2017.
Plot
Salt to the Sea follows four young refugees in East Prussia during the final months of World War II. Joana, a Lithuanian nurse; Florian, a Prussian art restorer; Emilia, a pregnant Polish girl; and Alfred, a delusional young Nazi, are all fleeing the advancing Soviet army. Their paths converge as they make their way to the port of Gotenhafen, hoping to evacuate on ships bound for safety.
As the group travels together, their backstories are gradually revealed. Emilia is carrying a child after being assaulted by Russian soldiers. Florian has stolen a precious artifact from the Nazis. Joana harbors guilt over past actions. Along the way, they encounter other refugees, including a blind girl, an elderly shoemaker, and a young boy separated from his family. The harsh winter conditions and constant danger from Soviet forces test their resilience and force them to rely on each other.
Upon reaching Gotenhafen, the refugees manage to secure passage aboard the Wilhelm Gustloff, a former cruise ship now packed with over 10,000 evacuees. Emilia gives birth to a daughter while on board. However, their brief sense of safety is shattered when the ship is struck by Soviet torpedoes and begins to sink in the frigid Baltic Sea. In the ensuing chaos, the characters face harrowing choices as they struggle to survive the greatest maritime disaster in history.
The novel's climax depicts the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff and its aftermath. Joana, Florian, and Emilia's newborn daughter manage to escape on a lifeboat, while Emilia sacrifices herself to save another child. Alfred meets a grim fate after his true nature is revealed. The story concludes years later, showing how the survivors' lives were shaped by the tragedy and exploring themes of memory, loss, and the often-forgotten stories of war.
Themes
Survival in the face of tragedy
The impact of war on ordinary people
The power of human resilience
Unlikely bonds formed during crisis
The complexity of human nature
The importance of hope and perseverance
Uncovering forgotten historical events
Setting
Set in 1945 against the backdrop of World War II's final months, Salt to the Sea unfolds in East Prussia, a region that encompassed parts of modern-day Poland, Russia, and Lithuania. The story captures the chaos and desperation of the war's end, as refugees flee westward to escape the advancing Soviet army.
The novel's geographic scope spans from the characters' various home countries to the Baltic coast, where they converge in their quest for survival. Key locations include the frozen Prussian countryside, war-torn cities, and ultimately the port of Gotenhafen (now Gdynia, Poland), where the ill-fated Wilhelm Gustloff awaits its passengers.
At the heart of the story lies the Baltic Sea, which becomes both a route to potential safety and the site of an immense tragedy. The maritime setting plays a crucial role in the climax, as the characters board the overcrowded refugee ship that will soon become the scene of history's largest maritime disaster, serving as a haunting symbol of the war's devastating impact on civilian lives.
Characters
Joana Vilkas: A 21-year-old Lithuanian nurse fleeing from the advancing Soviet forces. Compassionate and skilled, Joana feels guilt over leaving her family behind and considers herself a “murderer” for this reason. She develops a romantic relationship with Florian and acts as a caretaker for the group of refugees. Joana is a crossover character from Sepetys's novel Between Shades of Gray.
Florian Beck: A young Prussian art restoration apprentice carrying a stolen amber swan from the Amber Room. Intelligent and guarded, Florian initially keeps his distance from the group but gradually opens up, especially to Joana. He struggles with the weight of his secrets and the moral implications of his actions. Florian's skills and knowledge prove crucial to the group's survival.
Emilia Stozek: A 15-year-old Polish girl who is eight months pregnant after being raped by Russian soldiers. Traumatized and vulnerable, Emilia clings to a fantasy about her pregnancy's origin to cope with her experiences. She forms a strong bond with Florian, seeing him as a protector. Emilia's bravery and sacrifice play a pivotal role in the story's climax.
Alfred Frick: A delusional young German sailor assigned to the Wilhelm Gustloff. Narcissistic and deeply indoctrinated by Nazi propaganda, Alfred lives in a fantasy world where he imagines himself as a great hero. His internal monologue, presented as mental letters to a girl named Hannelore, reveals his twisted perspective and dangerous nature.
Eva: An older woman traveling with the refugee group. She provides wisdom and emotional support to the younger characters.
Heinz (The Shoe Poet): An elderly shoemaker with the group. He offers philosophical insights and can deduce people's life stories from their shoes.
Klaus (The Wandering Boy): A young orphan found by the group. His presence reminds the others of the war's impact on children.
Ingrid: A blind girl traveling with the refugees. Her vulnerability highlights the group's compassion and unity.
Quick facts
Salt to the Sea is based on the true story of the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff in 1945, the largest maritime disaster in history.
Ruta Sepetys was inspired to write this historical novel after learning her father's cousin had a ticket for the Wilhelm Gustloff but was unable to board.
The story is told from four different perspectives, representing different nationalities affected by World War II.
Sepetys conducted extensive research, including diving to the wreck of the Wilhelm Gustloff, to accurately portray the events.
The novel touches on the mystery of the missing Amber Room, a priceless work of art stolen by Nazis during the war.
One of the main characters, Joana, is related to Lina from Sepetys' earlier novel Between Shades of Gray.
Salt to the Sea won the prestigious Carnegie Medal in 2017.
Salt to the Sea became a #1 New York Times bestseller and Notable Book.
The novel was also selected as a Junior Library Guild pick and won the Goodreads Choice Award in 2016.
Universal Pictures acquired the film rights to the novel.
Sepetys wrote Salt to the Sea to shed light on a forgotten tragedy of World War II and give voice to those who lost their lives.
About the Author
Ruta Sepetys (1967-) is a renowned Lithuanian-American author of historical fiction. The daughter of a Lithuanian refugee, Sepetys draws inspiration from underrepresented stories of resilience in the face of adversity. Her work has garnered international acclaim, with her novels published in over 60 countries and translated into more than 40 languages.
Sepetys' debut novel, Between Shades of Gray, was released in 2011 and quickly established her as a powerful voice in young adult literature. The book, which tells the story of a Lithuanian girl deported to Siberian labor camps during Soviet occupation, was adapted into a film titled Ashes in the Snow. Her subsequent novels, including Out of the Easy (2013), Salt to the Sea (2016), The Fountains of Silence (2019), and I Must Betray You (2022), have continued to explore lesser-known historical events and their impact on individuals, further cementing her reputation as a “seeker of lost stories."
A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Sepetys has received numerous accolades for her historical novels. In 2013, she became the first American young adult author to speak at the European Parliament, discussing the importance of historical fiction in education. In 2017, she was awarded the prestigious Carnegie Medal. Sepetys has also been recognized by her ancestral homeland, receiving the Knight's Cross of the Order for Merits to Lithuania.
Beyond her writing, Sepetys is actively involved in various educational and cultural initiatives. She serves on the Board of Advisors for the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business at Belmont University and is a director of the Make a Noise Foundation, which supports music education. Born and raised in Michigan, she now lives with her family in Nashville, Tennessee.
