![]() ![]() The focus on a less studied period and place within the Russian Empire intrigue, and although the nuances of Lithuania’s struggles may be foreign to readers, the novel’s themes, such as the power of books and family, still ring true today. The novel, Words on Fire by Jennifer Nielsen, entices readers through its setting. Faced with difficult choices and even more difficult consequences, Audra must decide what is right, not only for her and her family but also for her country. Audra encounters danger at every turn, but she also tries to maintain a freshly found sense of purpose and hope. When Russian Cossack soldiers come to take Audra’s parents away, she is forced to flee and ends up on an unexpected path that changes her life forever. ![]() However, book smuggling is illegal, and those caught in the act face imprisonment or even worse. Unbeknownst to Audra, her parents help smuggle books to keep memories of their homeland alive. It is also a dangerous time, especially for anyone who still preserves and protects Lithuanian culture. It is 1893 in Lithuania, a time when the Russian Empire controls the country. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |