Is between shades of gray a true story?

Based on the true stories of Baltic citizens, Between Shades of Gray is a detailed, riveting, and thought-provoking story of the terrors that the Baltic people faced during WWII under Stalin. In 1939, the Soviet Union occupied Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania and annexed them as part of the USSR.

Is Between Shades of Gray real?

Between Shades of Gray is partly based upon the stories Sepetys heard from survivors of Soviet repressions in the Baltic states during a visit to her relatives in Lithuania. Sepetys decided she needed to write a fiction novel rather than a non-fiction volume as a way of making it easier for survivors to talk to her.

What historical event is Between Shades of Gray based on?

In the book Between the Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys gives a very compelling account of the Soviet invasion of the country of Lithuania in 1941.

Why is it called Between Shades of Gray?

The title of the book is “between shades of gray,” and these “shades of gray” can refer to several things. The first is Lina's mother's gray coat, into which she has sewn “jewelry, papers, silver, and other valuables” (31) in preparation for the family's escape from Soviet-occupied Lithuania.

Do Lina and Andrius get married?

Though Andrius and Lina are separated after Lina and her family are moved from the first camp, Lina's letter in the epilogue shows that the two survived, reconnected, and eventually married.

Author Ruta Sepetys talks about the true history behind Between Shades of Gray

How long was Lina imprisoned?

In the epilogue: A man find letters written by Lina in a glass jar that was in a chest. Lina and Jonas survived, they were imprisoned for 12 years. Lina married Andrius.

Was ashes in the snow a true story?

Ashes in the Snow is based on the 2011 novel Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys, a Lithuanian-American writer who based it on the true story of Irena Spakauskiene, a 13-year-old Lithuanian girl who was deported from Lithuania to Siberia in 1941.

What happens to Lina and Andrius?

(view spoiler) Lina and Andrius both survived. They found one another again when they returned to Lithuania and they got married.

What does NKVD stand for in between shades of gray?

Ruta Sepetys's stunning debut novel begins on June 14, 1941, as the NKVD (the Soviet secret police) pound on the door of the Vilkas family's home.

Who is Elena in between shades of gray?

Elena Vilkas is Lina's mother, and is still a woman in the prime of her life when she is deported from her home in Lithuania. Though she is a homemaker and relies on Kostas' income from the university to support the family, Elena was sent to Moscow for her schooling and is considered highly educated.

Where was Lina sent in between shades of gray?

1941 – Fifteen-year-old Lina Vilkas is arrested by the Soviet secret police and deported to Siberia with her mother and younger brother.

Who is Janina in between shades of gray?

A young girl who is deported along with her family. Janina loses her doll, and often pretends that the doll's ghost speaks to her. She, like Jonas, develops scurvy and is only saved at the very last moment by Dr.

Is there a part 2 to Between Shades of Gray?

Although I don't currently have plans for a sequel to "Between Shades of Gray" you never know what will happen in the future. :-) My forthcoming novel, Salt to the Sea, will be published in February and it features one of the characters from "Between Shades of Gray." So it could be considered a companion novel.

Is Between Shades of Gray and ashes in the snow the same book?

Ashes in the Snow is a World War II drama film based on The New York Times best selling novel Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys.

What does Peerestan mean in English?

Peerestan- Russian word that means stop.

What does Kretzsky give Lina?

Though Kretszky is one of the guards who is cruel to the deportees, he begins to show signs that he questions the actions of the NKVD. Lina and Jonas are not sure why Elena speaks to him, but it appears that he has some sympathy for the deportees, since he gives Lina and Jonas firewood.

What happens at the end of between shades of gray?

Lina's story ends when she sees sunlight on the horizon, and she knows they have successfully survived the winter despite the best efforts of the NKVD to have them perish. In an epilogue, construction workers in Kaunas in 1995 find letters and drawings Lina has buried in 1954.

Who is the antagonist in between shades of gray?

Darth Sammy The antagonist was a mixture. In some parts it was the NKVD and confusingly in some other parts, it was herself. Sometimes ir was Andrius briefly, and a little more often the old bald man who was constantly a pessimist.

How old is Jonas in ashes in the snow?

Lina, her 10-year-old brother Jonas and their mother Elena are ordered to pack only necessities from their home in Lithuania by Soviet officers and charged as criminals.

Is there a salt to the sea movie?

Universal Pictures is developing a movie based on Ruta Sepetys' historical novel “Salt to the Sea,” and set up the project with “Transformers” producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura. The studio won the rights in an auction.

Where can I see ashes in the snow?

Ashes in the Snow, a drama movie starring Bel Powley, Martin Wallström, and Lisa Loven Kongsli is available to stream now. Watch it on The Roku Channel, Peacock TV, Tubi - Free Movies & TV, VUDU, Freevee, Vudu Movie & TV Store, Redbox., Prime Video or Apple TV on your Roku device.

What is Luna's last name in between shades of gray?

Lina Vilkas Character Timeline in Between Shades of Gray.

What appeared on Lina's window sill before she left what could it mean?

A fresh loaf of bread. What appeared on her window sill? That if anyone tries to help her she will ignore them. What did Lina's mother make her promise? Clothes, shoes, extra socks, and coats.

How does Lina change in Between Shades of Gray?

Throughout the course of Sepetys' Between Shades of Gray, Lina changes from a naive and artistic child to a strong-willed survivor.

Who is Jonas vilkas?

Jonas, Lina's brother, is ten years old when he is deported. Sweet and caring in his nature, Jonas' purity is exemplified from the start of the novel, when he dresses neatly for school as the NKVD arrive at the home and demand that the family get ready to leave.