Book Review: I Must Betray You

 


1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

SEPETYS, R. (2022). I must betray you. PHILOMEL BOOKS.

ISBN: 1984836048

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

This historical fiction novel is set in Romania in the year 1989. Told from the point of view of Cristian, a young 17 year old during the dictatorship of Nicolae Ceasusescu, he is blackmailed by the secret police to become an informant to get medicine for his sick grandfather. In doing so, he faces a difficult choice, to betray his loved ones or fight for his freedom. As the story continues, we see some of the challenges Cristian faces and the choices to makes to help overturn Ceasusescu’s regime.

3.CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This novel is fantastic! I may be dating myself here, but set in 1989, a few years after I was born, this novel is written about a time period that was fairly recent. Sepetys portrayal of Romania during this dark time in history in spot on. Through her words, readers were able to learn a little more about Romanians. Readers were previewed to their harsh treatment and read about they how they were allowed to dream, have a voice, and lived in constant fear for their safety. The novel mentions several acts of violence such as beatings and shootings, but they were done in a manner that I felt was appropriate for this age group. I thought Cristian’s character was well developed and through his dialogue, readers understood some of the challenges he faced and what he was willing to risk in his fight for freedom in hopes of one day seeing a free Romania. As an elementary librarian, I don’t usually get a chance to read YA literature, but I am so glad I was able to read this novel!

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Winner of the Carnegie Medal 2023

Starred review in Booklist: "Sepetys once again masterfully portrays a dark, forgotten corner of history."

Starred review in Publishers Weekly: "Cristian’s tense first-person narrative foregrounds stark historical realities, unflinchingly confronting deprivations and cruelty while balancing them with perseverance and hope as Romania hurtles toward political change."

Starred review in Kirkus reviews: "Sepetys brilliantly blends a staggering amount of research with heart, craft, and insight in a way very few writers can. Compulsively readable and brilliant."

Starred review in School Library Journal: "Sepetys’s latest book maintains the caliber readers have come to expect from an author whose focus on hidden histories has made her a YA powerhouse of historical ­fiction…”

5. CONNECTIONS

*Have students create a book trailer for this novel. The trailer should include the basic story elements such as characters, setting, problem, and solution. Students will present their finished product to the class.

* Lead students on a discussion about the main character. What are some of the challenges he faces throughout the story?  Encourage students to reflect on the class discussion and the novel and complete a character analysis of Christian. Remind students to cite specific example from the text.

*Other books by Ruta Sepetys

Sepetys, R. (2017). Salt to the sea. Philomel Books. ISBN: 0142423629

Sepetys, R. (2020). The fountains of silence. Philomel Books. ISBN:  0142423637

This book review was written for SHSU's MLA course. 

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