Salt to the Sea

By: Ruta Sepetys

Narrated by: Jorjeana Marie, Will Damron, Cassandra Morris, Michael Crouch

Length: 8 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best seller! For fans of Between Shades of Gray and All the Light We Cannot See, best-selling author Ruta Sepetys returns to WWII in this epic novel that shines a light on one of the war's most devastating - yet unknown - tragedies.

World War II is drawing to a close in East Prussia and thousands of refugees are on a desperate trek toward freedom, many with something to hide. Among them are Joana, Emilia, and Florian, whose paths converge en route to the ship that promises salvation, the Wilhelm Gustloff. Forced by circumstance to unite, the three find their strength, courage, and trust in each other tested with each step closer to safety. Just when it seems freedom is within their grasp, tragedy strikes. Not country, nor culture, nor status matter as all 10,000 people - adults and children alike - aboard must fight for the same thing: Survival.

Told in alternating points of view and perfect for fans of Anthony Doerr's Pulitzer Prize-winning All the Light We Cannot See, Erik Larson's Dead Wake, and Elizabeth Wein's Printz Honor Book Code Name Verity, this masterful work of historical fiction is inspired by the real-life tragedy that was the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff - the greatest maritime disaster in history. As she did in Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys unearths a shockingly little-known casualty of a gruesome war, and proves that humanity and love can prevail, even in the darkest of hours.

©2016 Ruta Sepetys (P)2016 Listening Library

Critic reviews

“Jorjeana Marie, Will Damron, Cassandra Morris, and Michael Crouch perform mesmerizing narration worthy of Sepetys’s spectacular novel. Verdict Libraries with even the most limited audio budgets will want to invest.” (School Library Journal, starred review)

“The talented narrators excel in capturing the tone of their characters...[They] work together to create a vivid and well-rounded reading experience, [and] bring forth the truth of the wartime experience.” (Booklist, starred review)

“The four narrators (Jorjeana Marie, Will Damron, Cassandra Morris and Michael Crouch) are superbly cast...The story’s plot and pacing translate beautifully to the audio medium.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

Beautifully written tragic tale

The voices were wonderful, the narrative unforgettable. This easily ranks as a favorite historical fiction.

Have you heard of the Wilhelmi Gustloff?

If you have not heard of the ship Wilhelmina Gustloff you are not alone! I have read a lot of historical fiction and many stories of World War II, but I had never heard of it. Why not? Seventy-five years later and no one has even mentioned it? Wow. What a story. This book is well written and creatively put together. I was drawn into it almost immediately and cared deeply about the characters. If you are looking for a good read, by all means, read this one!

This audio book uses four excellent narrators. Kudos to all of them!

Slow start, gets better

I almost put this one down about 1/3 into it. as it seemed very boring. About halfway the "random" stories begin to make more sense as a "whole" story and it is better. I'm glad I continued because the last 1/3 of the book was amazing, and I could see why the boring beginning was necessary to set of the later story. Highly recommend this book, to the end.

strong message.

what determines our history? it is through many minds that a story can be told.

Historical novel at its best

This well researched and written book takes a piece of history often forgotten or unknown.

Fast paced, moving tail of a little known historical event

Salt to the Sea is a griping tail depicting the tragedy of war. I learned as I moved with the characters through their determined journey as they escaped Russian brutality.

Awesome historical novel!

If you enjoy historical fiction, you will live this book!! Through a group of diverse people that have ended up together, all fleeing different countries in Europe in the middle of World War I, the author lets you see the experience through the eyes of each person. This book doesn't hold back though on describing just how horrible the war was both by the Germans and the Russians. It's important that everyone remembers just how bad countries can get when their leaders are dictators and only thinking about what's best for them and not caring a bit for their citizens!! I highly recommend this book!

Historical fiction at its best

Beautifully, artfully told and written.
The story of each character is revealed a little at a time. Gripping plot filled with moments of joy, terror, hunger, filial love,romance, and the realities of war.
Read it and weep. Read it and cry. Read it and learn. Read it and enjoy.
Well done.

Fantastic read!

I would highly recommend this book. It was fantastic, thrilling and thought provoking. I read it while on a road trip with my school aged children listening in from time to time (it may not be suitable for younger elementary aged but I discussed the parts my 5th grader listened to and it provided a great foundation for us to talk about some of the events of WW 2). The book is based on a very sad, traumatizing story but did not over detail the horror of the events it told. The characters were and their point of views as the events unfolded were a great way to tell the story.

Wonderful novel!

Great story paired with fantastic performances. A little too derivative from All The Light We Cannot See, but an audiobook still worthy of your time.