Author: Ruta Sepetys
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romania, War, YA
Publication date: February 1, 2022
Book Description: Romania, 1989. Communist regimes are crumbling across Europe. Seventeen-year-old Cristian Florescu dreams of becoming a writer, but Romanians aren’t free to dream; they are bound by rules and force.
Amidst the tyrannical dictatorship of Nicolae Ceaușescu in a country governed by isolation and fear, Cristian is blackmailed by the secret police to become an informer. He’s left with only two choices: betray everyone and everything he loves—or use his position to creatively undermine the most notoriously evil dictator in Eastern Europe.
Cristian risks everything to unmask the truth behind the regime, give voice to fellow Romanians, and expose to the world what is happening in his country. He eagerly joins the revolution to fight for change when the time arrives. But what is the cost of freedom?
Review:
Ruta Sepetys has become one of my favorite authors for sure. I don't think there'll ever be a book by her that disappoints me because she's so brilliant. If you're looking for YA historical fiction that explores periods of time, perspectives, experiences, cultures, and countries that often are left out of the narrative, look no further than this author. I loved this book and honestly, I can't wait to reread.
It is set during the rule of the communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. Life in Romania during the time of Ceausescu was full of fear and uncertainty. Romanians lived in constant fear of the government and even each other. The lack of adequate food, electricity, medical care, clothing, and connections to the global community only made things worse. It's truly heartbreaking to think about the atrocities that were committed during this time. The story of Christian, who was forced to become an informant after he was found with an illegal American dollar, sheds light on what life was like for everyday Romanians. One of the main reasons he agrees to help the regimen is because they promise medicine to his grandfather. As readers follow Christian day to day, it becomes clear just how complicated and dangerous life became for him. It's a powerful reminder of the human cost of oppression and the importance of speaking out against injustice.
The book is told in short chapters which makes it more digestible. However, it's not an easy read, as it covers the Romanian Revolution that took place in 1989--which isn't even forty years ago. The book sheds light on the difficulties that Christian and his family faced in their everyday lives, such as having access to electricity at night and access to a grocery store--things that I take for granted. The book becomes even more complex when it begins to address the beginnings of the Romanian Revolution. It is truly heartbreaking to watch people who have suffered so much rise up to end a dictatorship only to find themselves back in a similar situation. It's unimaginable to live in a world where one cannot trust anyone, where friends, families, lovers, teachers, and classmates--everyone has the potential to be an informant.
One of the interesting aspects of this book is that between some chapters we get to see snippets of reports some informants make about Christian and his family. You do not know who is really making them until the end. The final revelation is a huge plot twist I didn't see coming, it makes you see the story in a different light really.
This book left me completely speechless. It was a heartbreakingly beautiful story that pulled at my heartstrings in ways I never thought possible. The author's attention to detail and vivid descriptions transported me back in time to a different era, making me feel like I was living the story alongside the characters. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of historical fiction, or anyone looking for a captivating and emotional read. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.
This was used for the challenge:
Orilium- Lore- A book with a map
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