Everything Ruta Sepetys writes is top-notch. Her first novel Between Shades of Gray caused me to fall in love with her work, and I have since read every book she’s published as soon as I possibly could. Her latest book I Must Betray You came out in February, and I devoured it.
I Must Betray You transports the reader to Communist-era Romania where we meet Cristian, a student who is coerced by the Secu – the dictator’s violent secret police – into spying on the American diplomat’s son in exchange for much-needed medicine for his beloved, ailing grandfather.
Sepetys writes her books in a way that appeals to both teens and adults. Her style is uncomplicated, educational, gripping, and easy-to-understand for the younger audience; but her content is weighty, even for adults. She is not wordy; every word is carefully chosen and full of meaning, something an older audience will really value. I find her writing beautiful in a raw way. What Sepetys does so effortlessly in all her novels is introduce little known parts of history (such as the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff or Stalin’s purge of Lithuania). She makes history utterly fascinating, using painfully accurate details without making it feel like you’re reading a history book.
I Must Betray You is ripe with information about life in 1980s Romania, under Communist dictator Nicolae (and wife Elena) Ceaușescu. I’m embarrassed to admit I didn’t even realize Romania had been a Communist country… I inhaled all the information – the lack of food, the lack of heat, the constant fear, the brainwashing, the betrayals – and was so grieved, knowing it was true and that forced lifestyle is a reality for people in different parts of the world even now.
The book is very character-driven and from Cristian’s point of view. His interactions with the world around him propel the story. Sepetys caught me off guard with several plot points and kept me engaged all the way to the conclusion. As is her style, the conclusion didn’t feel entirely satisfactory and left me with a bit of a sinking feeling. There really aren’t “happy” endings for a lot of people who have lived through things like Cristian does.
I Must Betray You is a must-read. It’s the perfect length and easy to get through. It takes you back in time, puts you in the midst of difficult history, asks hard questions for the reader to think through, and keeps you engaged until the very end. It’s not happy or light, but it is meaningful and sobering.
Jessica
Copyright Ruta Sepetys and Philomel Books. Image from Amazon.
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