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Together we can shine a light in dark corners of the past. Together, we can give history a voice. ~Ruta Sepetys

Under the Ceaușescu regime, Romania was isolated from the world. Its citizens were deprived of liberty and basic necessities. They had to wait in line for rations. Electricity was available sporadically. The Securitate established a web of citizen informers. Extensive pictorial and written files were kept. The consumption of an exotic treat like a Coke or a Twinkie was documented. Family members were turned against each other. Once the archives were opened after the revolution, they found over twenty-six kilometers of files -- sixteen miles.

In this important work of historical fiction, the story of Cristian is told from late 1989. He is seventeen and has just been coerced into being an informant in exchange for medicine to help his grandfather who has leukemia. The world Cristian lives in is bare and bleak. They wait in line for everything. Kent cigarettes are a necessary currency for bartering. Radio Free Europe gives hope. If only the station would come in clearly. The beginnings of the revolution in Timișoara help fuel the fire for the rest of the country. For Cristian and his family, for his friends Liliana and Luca this will be a dangerous December. Included in this book are pictures and information about the many interviews Ruta Sepetys did to put this book together.

On a personal note, in the early 80's my husband's family sponsored a Romanian immigrant. He had to swim across a river to escape communism. More than one attempt was necessary. That man later brought over a wife and started a family. He is an inspiration and a reminder of the gift freedom is. I also could not help noticing that the apartment buildings shown in the book are very similar to the building my son and his family are currently living in as residents of Talsi, Latvia.

One final comment: take note of the cover. In it a young man is running with a flag. That flag has a hole in the center, because the communist symbol has been cut out.

Thank you to Philomel Books and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.