Jen
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
What inspired you to write Salt to the Sea? Because that book was really well written. I loved it, even though it broke my heart!!!
Ruta Sepetys
Hi Jen,
So sorry (but grateful) that "Salt to the Sea" broke your heart!!
In terms of inspiration, my father's cousin had passage on the ship but wasn't able to board and the Gustloff sailed without her. Like the character of Joana, my father fled from Lithuania as a young boy and some of his extended family was deported to Siberia. My father himself was a displaced refugee for nine years and that also partially inspired "Salt to the Sea."
Thanks for asking!
So sorry (but grateful) that "Salt to the Sea" broke your heart!!
In terms of inspiration, my father's cousin had passage on the ship but wasn't able to board and the Gustloff sailed without her. Like the character of Joana, my father fled from Lithuania as a young boy and some of his extended family was deported to Siberia. My father himself was a displaced refugee for nine years and that also partially inspired "Salt to the Sea."
Thanks for asking!
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