McKenna
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
Hello Ruta Sepetys! I am loving your new book Salt to the Sea! My English class assignment right now is to read a historical fiction book so I heard of your new book and decided to read it. I was so excited to start reading it because I had read Between Shades of Grey and I was in love with it! I was so happy to hear that you had written another historical fiction book. One question I have is who is Alfred?
Ruta Sepetys
Hi McKenna! Thank you for choosing to read my book! Alfred is a German soldier.
In order to create the character of Alfred, I studied Adolf Hitler as a youth. Hitler wrote lengthy letters to a girl but never mailed them, he had a difficult relationship with his father. Hitler also had a fascination with hands so I included that via a manifestation on Alfred's hands. The number on Alfred's identification tag (that he recites in a letter) is actually Hitler's birthdate.
For me, Alfred was a study of visibility. He was rejected and invisible for much of his youth, but when Alfred put on a uniform he suddenly became/felt visible (even if only in his own mind) and that visibility then mutated into a sense of power. Alfred felt that he was superior and entitled to possess beautiful, innocent things—like the butterflies pinned to his closet wall—and Hannelore.
Thank you for asking!
In order to create the character of Alfred, I studied Adolf Hitler as a youth. Hitler wrote lengthy letters to a girl but never mailed them, he had a difficult relationship with his father. Hitler also had a fascination with hands so I included that via a manifestation on Alfred's hands. The number on Alfred's identification tag (that he recites in a letter) is actually Hitler's birthdate.
For me, Alfred was a study of visibility. He was rejected and invisible for much of his youth, but when Alfred put on a uniform he suddenly became/felt visible (even if only in his own mind) and that visibility then mutated into a sense of power. Alfred felt that he was superior and entitled to possess beautiful, innocent things—like the butterflies pinned to his closet wall—and Hannelore.
Thank you for asking!
More Answered Questions
Morgan
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
Hi Ruta!!! I am a HUGE fan of Salt to the Sea and Between Shades of Gray! I love how you give famous events a new perspective, and I feel like I'm really learning as well when I read your books! How do you get inspiration for all of your different characters? They always seem so real, and though I have never been through what they are going through, they are always relatable! Thank you!!
Sandy Jones
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
Just wanted to say how excited I was to meet you at TeenBookCon in Houston this last Saturday. I took my high school book club members who all loved reading Between Shades of Gray. Your Keynote address was very insightful and entertaining. You didn't talk much about your family and I was wondering if you have any children? Thanks again for taking the time to meet your fans! A New Fan, Sandy
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