MEET THE AUTHOR: RUTA SEPETYS
The Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania cordially invites you to a discussion and signing of the book, the New York Times bestselling novel 'Between Shades of Gray', by the author Ruta Sepetys, on Wednesday, May 25th at 6:30 PM at The Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania (2622 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009). RSVP to: Inga.Lukaviciute@urm.lt by May 18th. About the NovelSepetys’ first novel offers a harrowing and horrifying account of the forcible relocation of countless Lithuanians in the wake of the Soviet invasion of their country in 1939. The main character - Lina - is just like any other fifteen-year-old Lithuanian girl in 1941. She paints, she draws, she gets crushes on boys. Until one night when Soviet officers barge into her home, tearing her family from the comfortable life they've known. Separated from her father, forced onto a crowded and dirty train car, Lina, her mother, and her young brother slowly make their way north, crossing the Arctic Circle, to a work camp in the coldest reaches of Siberia. Here they are forced, under Stalin's orders, to dig for beets and fight for their lives under the cruelest of conditions.
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.
For more information: www.betweenshadesofgray.com
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“A harrowing page-turner.” – Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Few books are beautifully written, fewer still are important; this novel is both.”
- The Washington Post
“An eye-opening reimagination of a very real tragedy written with grace and heart.” - Los Angeles Times
“A superb though grueling novel.” – The Wall Street Journal
