When I was approached by Hannah at The Book Vortex with the request to participate in her blog tour for the paperback release of Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys, I was very excited and, naturally, answered with a resounding yes! Today, I have the pleasure of hosting the release day tour stop. Between Shades of Gray is an intense look at the impact of a tragic time in eastern European history that too few people know about today. We are all most fortunate that Ruta has given us the opportunity to learn about the persecution of the Lithuanian people at the hands of the Soviets during World War II. Ruta is a great lady and a fellow TN resident, so I am very excited to have had the chance to interview her. I hope you all will join me in welcoming Ruta to Starting the Next Chapter!
Marla: My first question is: What has been the most memorable reaction to Between Shades of Gray?
Ruta: There have been so many memorable moments along the journey of this book. But one that really moved me was walking into a school in Chicago and seeing the following sign made by a student.
This sign was created as if one of the main characters, Andrius, was writing a note to his girlfriend, Lina. My book is about a little-known piece of history and sometimes historical facts and statistics can seem sterile. But through stories, suddenly these people from history become human. We cheer for them and we cry for them. We care for people that we’ve never met and become passionate about the history attached. That’s what this sign represented. And that’s the power of books.
Marla: How
did you feel upon initially learning about this part of history for
the first time?
Ruta: I was shocked. I had no idea that so many people had experienced the deportations and life in exile. And many people kept their experience a secret for over fifty years. Can you imagine keeping a painful secret for fifty years?
Marla: What was your first trip to Lithuania after the book's release like?
Ruta: Incredibly emotional. I was able to reunite with the people who assisted me in my research and present the book to them. They were so gracious and happy. I was in tears practically the entire time I was back in Lithuania. Every time I see the cover of the Lithuanian version of the book I get choked up!
Ruta with the Lithuanian edition of her book
Marla: What was your inspiration for writing Between Shades of Gray?
Ruta: While visiting Lithuania, I discovered that after my father fled the country, some of my family members were deported to Siberia. Stories of Soviet occupation and Stalin are rarely discussed. There are so many heroes we’ve never had a chance to meet. They’re nameless and faceless. I wanted to give voice to the many people who were deported to Siberia by Stalin.
Marla: What are you working on now? When can we expect your next book?
Ruta: I just finished a novel that’s set in New Orleans in 1950. It tells the story of a girl who is the daughter of a French Quarter prostitute. Despite her background and society's opinion of her, the girl applies to a prestigious college. It’s a story of the courage and fortitude it takes to fly when you’re born with broken wings. I believe the book is scheduled to be released in Spring of 2013.
Marla: At Southern Festival of Books, you told the audience about an immersion experience that you participated in that took place in a prison. What impression did that experience leave upon you?
Ruta: It left a profound impression. In the prison I learned that showing kindess in an atmosphere of cruelty is true courage.
Marla: As a writer, how do you deal with issues such as writer's block and distractions?
Ruta: Because I work a full time job I can’t really afford to have writer’s block. Sometimes I only have fifteen minutes to write per day so I have to make the most of it. I force myself to just start typing–something, anything–to get started. I gave up television a few years ago. Since I don’t have much time to write I can’t justify spending thirty minutes watching TV. Distractions are another story. Tumblr, Pinterest, Etsy, oh my! But in terms of productive and fun distractions – I can’t wait to catch up with you and talk books at my favorite coffee shop next time I’m in the Square, Marla!
Thank you so much for having me here at Starting the Next Chapter!
Thank you so much for being here today, Ruta! Coffee sounds great!
If you haven't already, I highly recommend that you go out and find a copy of Between Shades of Gray. It is an emotional, beautifully written novel that everyone should read. I also hope that you will take the time to learn more about Ruta and add her book to your Goodreads shelves.
About the Author
About the Book
 |
| Find it on Goodreads |
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.
The Tour Schedule
March 29: Hannah - IntroInterview w/ RutaMarch 30: Jamie/The Hot Author ReportInterview w/ RutaMarch 31: Mundie MomsInterview w/ GavinApril 1: Brielle/Awesome BookwormInterview w/ Ruta's editorApril 2: Sara/Through the Looking Glass and Back AgainCharacter interview - LinaReviewApril 3: *RELEASE DAY* Marla/Starting the Next ChapterInterview w/ RutaApril 4: Hannah/The Book VortexTour wrap-up; Announcement of giveaways on all sites
The Giveaway
As part of this stop on the blog tour, Ruta has two prizes available for giveaway. One winner will receive a signed Between Shades of Gray bookplate, while a second winner will receive a signed Between Shades of Gray bookmark. This giveaway is open to US entrants only. For an international giveaway in which you can win a signed paperback copy of Between Shades of Gray, visit Hannah's giveaway: http://thebookvortex.com/?page_id=23
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I have not read it yet. Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDelete