Author: Ruta Sepetys (b. 1967)

First published: 2016

Type of work: Novel

Type of plot: Historical fiction

Time of plot: 1945

Locales: East Prussia; Baltic Sea

Set against the backdrop of the final months of World War II, Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys weaves a poignant narrative from the perspectives of four young characters. The novel captures the harrowing journey of refugees seeking escape from war-torn East Prussia, each harboring secrets and hopes for survival. As they converge on the ill-fated Wilhelm Gustloff, their stories illuminate the little-known tragedy of this maritime disaster.

Principal Characters

Joana Vilkas, a compassionate Lithuanian nurse

Florian Beck, a skilled art restorer with a hidden agenda

Emilia Stożek, a vulnerable Polish teen facing motherhood

Alfred Frick, a troubled German sailor

The Story

Released in 2016, Ruta Sepetys's Salt to the Sea is a gripping historical novel set in the winter of 1945. As the relentless Red Army advances, a disparate group of refugees, including Lithuanian nurse Joana, treks through the frozen landscapes of East Prussia. Their destination is a port where ships await to ferry them away from impending danger. Two additional fugitives join this journey—Florian, an adept art restorer smuggling a priceless artifact, and Emilia, a pregnant Polish girl concealing her identity.

Meanwhile, Alfred Frick, a young sailor assigned to the evacuation fleet, spends his time daydreaming and drafting mental missives to Hannelore, a girl from his past. As Joana, Florian, and Emilia's paths converge, they seek shelter in an abandoned mansion. There, it becomes apparent that Emilia is far along in her pregnancy, claiming to be en route to her boyfriend, August. Later, she shares the traumatic truth of her assault by Russian soldiers.

The refugees soon join a vast throng heading for the port as evacuation orders ripple through the region. Alfred busies himself with preparations aboard the Wilhelm Gustloff, noting the absence of lifeboats and the removal of comforts to accommodate more evacuees. As Joana and her companions make their way across a treacherous frozen lagoon, Russian aircraft attack, shattering the ice and plunging many to their deaths. The group's survival hinges on Florian's forged documents, granting them passage to the bustling port.

Upon reaching the port, their lives intersect with Alfred's as he assists in securing their passage. Joana's medical expertise earns her a place on board, while Florian's authoritative demeanor impresses the young sailor. Once aboard the Wilhelm Gustloff, Emilia's labor begins, and she gives birth to a daughter named Halinka.

With over ten thousand souls crowded onto the ship, it sets sail for Kiel, Germany. However, the voyage is abruptly shattered by a Russian submarine attack that sends three torpedoes slicing into the ship's hull. As panic ensues, Joana, Florian, and Halinka scramble onto a lifeboat, while Emilia and Alfred cling to a precarious raft. Emilia, safeguarding Florian's precious amber swan, finds herself at the mercy of Alfred, whose revelations about his betrayal of Hannelore add a sinister layer to his character.

In Alfred's deluded state, he attempts to murder Emilia, a grim echo of his own treachery, but ultimately meets his demise in the icy waters. A rescue vessel finds Florian and Joana, offering hope amid despair. Tragically, Emilia's lifeless body later washes ashore, her final resting place marked by the burial of the treasured amber swan, fulfilling Florian's last wish.

Years later, in a poignant epilogue, Joana and Florian have married, adopting both Halinka and Klaus, another orphaned survivor. Their enduring bond is a testament to hope and healing, despite the shadow of war that once loomed...