"Between Shades of Gray" is a novel by Ruta Sepetys, who is the daughter of a Lithuanian refugee. This is her first book and is a story most of us know nothing about - the disappearance of the nations of Lithuania Latvia, and Estonia from maps in 1941. They didn't reappear until 1990. Ruta did intensive research and personal interviews to create this novel about what happened to these three nations. If you'd like to know more about her and her books, visit her website at www.rutasepetys.com.
Ruta tells the story of 15 year old Lina Vilkas who was arrested along with her mother and younger brother, Jonas, in 1941 by the Secret Police and deported to Siberia. Her father, a university professor, was arrested separately. The cruelty to them and other deportees is unimaginable and how any of them survived is miraculous. Although a difficult read, it is well written and informed me about history I had no knowledge about and I highly recommend it. I will be reading something a little lighter next but Ruta's book was thought provoking -- particularly in light of this country's current attitude towards refugees. pazt
Sunday, October 29, 2017
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
"Abducting A General - The Kreipe Operation in Crete"
"Abducting A General - The Kreipe Operation in Crete" is Patrick Leigh Fermor's account of the kidnapping of the German Commander in Crete on April 26, 1944. It is Fermor's own account and pays tribute to the brave locals who resisted the German occupation and helped the Allies in many ways. The Cretans fought in a resistance with the British against the Germans with no concern of the dangers to themselves.
Fermor was known as Paddy who was a wonderful travel writer. He started as an adolescent adventurer, was a scholar-linguist, a gypsy-wanderer, and a legendary hero according to a write up by Jan Morris of Literary Review.
The book includes pictures and more than 60 pages of war reports as well as a guide to the abduction route.
As I read the book, I was amazed anyone could have accomplished what they did and escaped being caught. It truly is an "edge of the seat" thriller at times. pazt
Fermor was known as Paddy who was a wonderful travel writer. He started as an adolescent adventurer, was a scholar-linguist, a gypsy-wanderer, and a legendary hero according to a write up by Jan Morris of Literary Review.
The book includes pictures and more than 60 pages of war reports as well as a guide to the abduction route.
As I read the book, I was amazed anyone could have accomplished what they did and escaped being caught. It truly is an "edge of the seat" thriller at times. pazt
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