Lina finds solace in her art, meticulously--and at great risk--documenting events by drawing, hoping these messages will make their way to her father's prison camp to let him know they are still alive. It is a long and harrowing journey, spanning years and covering 6,500 miles, but it is through incredible strength, love, and hope that Lina ultimately survives. Between Shades of Gray is a novel that will steal your breath and capture your heart.
Hardcover, 344 pages
Published
March 22nd 2011
by Philomel Books
Genre: Historical Fiction/Young Adult
Kristine's Thoughts:
I have been making my way through a list of the top books about WWII of the decade that I came across. This was one of them and happened to be on my daughter's bookshelf. Between Shades of Gray is not a new book and it has been reviewed hundreds of thousands of times. For that I will keep my thoughts short and sweet.
I was not overly familiar with how Lithuania or its people were affected by the war and during Soviet occupation. I have just recently been reading about it. I was also not very familiar with the Siberian work camps and the atrocities that occurred within them. Although fictional and told from a teenage girls perspective, this book gave a good look at all of it.
Between Shades of Gray was beautifully written and completely captivating. It was heart breaking and sad but absolutely stunning in how it captured people's will to live and the kindness and generosity of others even during their darkest moments. The love and bond of family was something I can't possibly put into words.
Everyone should read this book. It was beautiful and heart wrenching and hopeful and sad. If there is any emotion you can feel, this book will make you feel it. A stunning and easy to read book that you won't regret picking up.
About the Author
I have been making my way through a list of the top books about WWII of the decade that I came across. This was one of them and happened to be on my daughter's bookshelf. Between Shades of Gray is not a new book and it has been reviewed hundreds of thousands of times. For that I will keep my thoughts short and sweet.
I was not overly familiar with how Lithuania or its people were affected by the war and during Soviet occupation. I have just recently been reading about it. I was also not very familiar with the Siberian work camps and the atrocities that occurred within them. Although fictional and told from a teenage girls perspective, this book gave a good look at all of it.
Between Shades of Gray was beautifully written and completely captivating. It was heart breaking and sad but absolutely stunning in how it captured people's will to live and the kindness and generosity of others even during their darkest moments. The love and bond of family was something I can't possibly put into words.
Everyone should read this book. It was beautiful and heart wrenching and hopeful and sad. If there is any emotion you can feel, this book will make you feel it. A stunning and easy to read book that you won't regret picking up.
About the Author
Great review! I loved this book, too. I have to get a new copy because I donated mine to a school. Have you read Salt to the Sea? I liked that one even more than Between Shades of Gray.
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
I have read it and loved it as well. I also had to order a new copy because the cover got damaged and it is one of my daughters all time favourite books. Thanks for the comments. :)
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