Ruta Sepetys’s latest novel succeeds in doing exactly what its Romanian teenager protagonist wants to do in the book; bring attention to the difficult life of ordinary Romanians under the repressive Communist regime. The young adult novel became an instant number one bestseller on The New York Times’s Young Adult Hardcover list and it is not hard to see why.

Synopsis

Set in 1989 Romania, Cristian Florescu is a seventeen-year-old, who secretly writes his feelings to bear the repressive communist regime. Defiance is not tolerated by the regime and people live in fear under the watchful eye of the secret police, Securitate. Even as Romanians struggle to make a living or access basic goods they must carry on without complaining.

Cristian wants the world to know the plight of ordinary people there. However, he soon finds himself blackmailed into becoming an informer for the Securitate. As he is forced to do things he despises, Cristian learns about the falling communist regimes in Eastern Europe and he becomes desperate to do something. He must find a way to outwit the secret police while keeping those dear to him safe.

What’s to like

As with other novels by Ruta Sepetys, this book appeals to adults as well despite belonging to the Young Adult genre. It keeps one wanting to turn the pages and find what happens next in communist Bucharest. The dynamics of teenage friendships are depicted well. Overall, it is a great historical fiction to bring attention to events not talked about as much in mainstream media.

What’s not to like

The pace of the last quarter of the book is much faster than the rest of the story.

4/5 – Recommended