Literature & Fiction
![Ruta Sepetys - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B003NWP99Y.jpg)
I Must Betray You
A gut-wrenching, startling historical thriller about communist Romania and the citizen spy network that devastated a nation, from the #1 New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of Salt to the Sea and Between Shades of Gray.
Romania, 1989. Communist regimes are crumbling across Europe. Seventeen-year-old Cristian Florescu dreams of becoming a writer, but Romanians aren't free to dream; they are bound by rules and force.
Amidst the tyrannical dictatorship of Nicolae Ceaușescu in a country governed by isolation and fear, Cristian is blackmailed by the secret police to become an informer. He's left with only two choices: betray everyone and everything he loves-or use his position to creatively undermine the most notoriously evil dictator in Eastern Europe.
Cristian risks everything to unmask the truth behind the regime, give voice to fellow Romanians, and expose to the world what is happening in his country. He eagerly joins the revolution to fight for change when the time arrives. But what is the cost of freedom?
Master storyteller Ruta Sepetys is back with a historical thriller that examines the little-known history of a nation defined by silence, pain, and the unwavering conviction of the human spirit.
Praise for I Must Betray You:
"As educational as it is thrilling...[T]he power of I Must Betray You [is] it doesn't just describe the destabilizing effects of being spied on; it will make you experience them too." –New York Times Book Review
* "Sepetys brilliantly blends a staggering amount of research with heart, craft, and insight in a way very few writers can. Compulsively readable and brilliant." –Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* "Sepetys once again masterfully portrays a dark, forgotten corner of history." –Booklist, starred review
* "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…Sepetys is a formidable writer, and her stories declare the need to write about global issues of social injustice. For that reason and her attention to detail, this is a must-read." –School Library Journal, starred review
* "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." –Publishers Weekly, starred review
"A master class in pacing and atmosphere." –BookPage
Romania, 1989. Communist regimes are crumbling across Europe. Seventeen-year-old Cristian Florescu dreams of becoming a writer, but Romanians aren't free to dream; they are bound by rules and force.
Amidst the tyrannical dictatorship of Nicolae Ceaușescu in a country governed by isolation and fear, Cristian is blackmailed by the secret police to become an informer. He's left with only two choices: betray everyone and everything he loves-or use his position to creatively undermine the most notoriously evil dictator in Eastern Europe.
Cristian risks everything to unmask the truth behind the regime, give voice to fellow Romanians, and expose to the world what is happening in his country. He eagerly joins the revolution to fight for change when the time arrives. But what is the cost of freedom?
Master storyteller Ruta Sepetys is back with a historical thriller that examines the little-known history of a nation defined by silence, pain, and the unwavering conviction of the human spirit.
Praise for I Must Betray You:
"As educational as it is thrilling...[T]he power of I Must Betray You [is] it doesn't just describe the destabilizing effects of being spied on; it will make you experience them too." –New York Times Book Review
* "Sepetys brilliantly blends a staggering amount of research with heart, craft, and insight in a way very few writers can. Compulsively readable and brilliant." –Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* "Sepetys once again masterfully portrays a dark, forgotten corner of history." –Booklist, starred review
* "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…Sepetys is a formidable writer, and her stories declare the need to write about global issues of social injustice. For that reason and her attention to detail, this is a must-read." –School Library Journal, starred review
* "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." –Publishers Weekly, starred review
"A master class in pacing and atmosphere." –BookPage
Editorial Reviews
"As educational as it is thrilling...[T]he power of I Must Betray You [is] it doesn't just describe the destabilizing effects of being spied on; it will make you experience them too." –New York Times Book Review
★ "Sepetys brilliantly blends a staggering amount of research with heart, craft, and insight in a way very few writers can. Compulsively readable and brilliant." –Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ "Sepetys once again masterfully portrays a dark, forgotten corner of history." –Booklist, starred review
★ "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…Sepetys is a formidable writer, and her stories declare the need to write about global issues of social injustice. For that reason and her attention to detail, this is a must-read." –School Library Journal, starred review
★ "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." –Publishers Weekly, starred review
"A master class in pacing and atmosphere." –BookPage
★ "Sepetys brilliantly blends a staggering amount of research with heart, craft, and insight in a way very few writers can. Compulsively readable and brilliant." –Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ "Sepetys once again masterfully portrays a dark, forgotten corner of history." –Booklist, starred review
★ "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…Sepetys is a formidable writer, and her stories declare the need to write about global issues of social injustice. For that reason and her attention to detail, this is a must-read." –School Library Journal, starred review
★ "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." –Publishers Weekly, starred review
"A master class in pacing and atmosphere." –BookPage
Readers Top Reviews
UnknownJosephC
Sepetys books are always disarming, revealing little known facts of major historical events. The story of Romania and the truth of the suffering was shocking to me…the detail was horrific. Yet the courage and bravery of the Romanians stands inspirational to fight against any semblance of totalitarianism.
Alisa Gillenardo
I remember watching the uprising on tv as it was happening. I was fascinated and shocked by the story back then, and I learned even more facts reading this. Great book!
AmyEAmyEAlisa Gil
This is a MUST READ! Gripping. Moving. Heart-wrenching. I am so grateful to Ruta Sepetys for telling the story of a country so near and dear to my heart. This is a history EVERYONE needs to know, and yet so few do. This book is a great starting point. Please take the time to read it!
cat loverAmyEAmyE
I'm an adult. Not a young adult anymore :( It was only after finishing the book that I realized this one was meant for a younger audience... I can tell you it is essential for everyone. Sometimes we grumble about our everyday life, this kind of book can make you put things into perspective This is my first book about Communism era Romania, and my heart weeps for what these people had to endure. The descriptions of everyday life are so vivid that I felt like I was standing in a bread queue, living in a cold gray apartment and enduring a dour and colorless existence. A teenager named Cristian Florescu becomes an informant and must betray all that is sacred to him, yet he manages also to live, write, make friendships, fall in love... An important part of the book is the historical note at the end of it. It puts the story in the right historical context and explains the sequence of events that led to the collapse of Communism in Romania. Highly recommended!
Linda Acorn Budzi
I should probably have waited a while to leave this review, because having just finished the book, I am a ball of emotions. The story is gripping and incredible. I kept putting the book down because I didn't want to finish it too quickly, but then picking it right back up because I needed to know what happened next. I would have been in my early 20s when the events in the book took place, yet I knew so little of them. Thank you, Ruta, for bringing them to light.
Short Excerpt Teaser
1
Unu
Fear arrived at five o'clock.
It was October. A gray Friday.
If I had known? I would have run. Tried to hide.
But I didn't know.
Through the dim half-light of the school corridor I spotted my best friend, Luca. He walked toward me, passing the tedious sign shouting from the concrete wall.
New Men of Romania:
Long live Communism-the bright future of mankind!
At the time, my mind churned on something far from communism. Something more immediate.
School dismissed at 7:00 p.m. If I left at the right moment, I'd fall into step with her-the quiet girl with the hair hiding her eyes. It would feel coincidental, not forced.
Luca's tall, thin frame edged in beside me. "It's official. My stomach's eating itself."
"Here." I handed him my small pouch of sunflower seeds.
"Thanks. Did you hear? The librarian says you're a bad influence."
I laughed. Maybe it was true. Teachers referred to Luca as "sweet" but said I was sarcastic. If I was the type to throw a punch, Luca was the type to break up a fight. He had an eagerness about him, while I preferred to evaluate and watch from afar.
We paused so Luca could talk to a group of loud girls. I waited, impatient.
"Hei, Cristian," smiled one of the girls. "Nice hair, do you cut it with a kitchen knife?"
"Yeah," I said softly. "Blindfolded." I gave Luca a nod and continued down the hall alone.
"Pupil Florescu!"
The voice belonged to the school director. He lingered in the hallway, speaking with a colleague. Comrade Director shifted his weight, trying to appear casual.
Nothing was ever casual.
In class, we sat erect. Comrade Instructor lectured, bellowing at our group of forty students. We listened, stock still and squinting beneath the sickly light. We were marked "present" in attendance but were often absent from ourselves.
Luca and me, we wore navy suits and ties to liceu. All boys did. Girls, navy pinafores and white hair bands. Embroidered badges sewn onto our uniforms identified which school we attended. But in the fall and winter, our school uniforms weren't visible. They were covered by coats, knitted mufflers, and gloves to combat the bitter cold of the unheated cement building.
Cold and dark. Knuckles aching. It's hard to take notes when you can't feel your fingers. It's difficult to concentrate when the electricity snaps off.
The director cleared his throat. "Pupil Florescu," he repeated. "Proceed to the office. Your father has left a message for you."
My father? My father never came to school. I rarely saw him. He worked twelve-hour shifts, six days a week at a furniture factory.
A slithering knot coiled inside my stomach. "Yes, Comrade Director."
I proceeded to the office as I was told.
Could outsiders understand? In Romania, we did as we were told.
We were told a lot of things.
We were told that we were all brothers and sisters in communism. Addressing each other with the term "comrade" reinforced that we were all equal, with no social classes to divide us. Good brothers and sisters in communism followed rules.
I pretended to follow rules. I kept things to myself, like my interest in poetry and philosophy. I pretended other things too. I pretended to lose my comb, but really just preferred my hair spiky. I pretended not to notice when girls were looking at me. And this one-I pretended that studying English was a commitment to my country.
"Words are weapons. I'll be able to fight our American and British enemies with words, not only guns."
That's what I said.
Our weapons course was called Preparing Youth for Defending the Country. We began training with guns at age fourteen in school. Is that old or young compared to other countries? I remember jotting that question in my secret notebook.
In reality, my desire to speak English had nothing to do with fighting our enemies. How many enemies did we have, anyway? I honestly didn't know. The truth was, English class was full of smart, quiet girls. Girls I pretended not to notice. And if I spoke English, I could better unde...
Unu
Fear arrived at five o'clock.
It was October. A gray Friday.
If I had known? I would have run. Tried to hide.
But I didn't know.
Through the dim half-light of the school corridor I spotted my best friend, Luca. He walked toward me, passing the tedious sign shouting from the concrete wall.
New Men of Romania:
Long live Communism-the bright future of mankind!
At the time, my mind churned on something far from communism. Something more immediate.
School dismissed at 7:00 p.m. If I left at the right moment, I'd fall into step with her-the quiet girl with the hair hiding her eyes. It would feel coincidental, not forced.
Luca's tall, thin frame edged in beside me. "It's official. My stomach's eating itself."
"Here." I handed him my small pouch of sunflower seeds.
"Thanks. Did you hear? The librarian says you're a bad influence."
I laughed. Maybe it was true. Teachers referred to Luca as "sweet" but said I was sarcastic. If I was the type to throw a punch, Luca was the type to break up a fight. He had an eagerness about him, while I preferred to evaluate and watch from afar.
We paused so Luca could talk to a group of loud girls. I waited, impatient.
"Hei, Cristian," smiled one of the girls. "Nice hair, do you cut it with a kitchen knife?"
"Yeah," I said softly. "Blindfolded." I gave Luca a nod and continued down the hall alone.
"Pupil Florescu!"
The voice belonged to the school director. He lingered in the hallway, speaking with a colleague. Comrade Director shifted his weight, trying to appear casual.
Nothing was ever casual.
In class, we sat erect. Comrade Instructor lectured, bellowing at our group of forty students. We listened, stock still and squinting beneath the sickly light. We were marked "present" in attendance but were often absent from ourselves.
Luca and me, we wore navy suits and ties to liceu. All boys did. Girls, navy pinafores and white hair bands. Embroidered badges sewn onto our uniforms identified which school we attended. But in the fall and winter, our school uniforms weren't visible. They were covered by coats, knitted mufflers, and gloves to combat the bitter cold of the unheated cement building.
Cold and dark. Knuckles aching. It's hard to take notes when you can't feel your fingers. It's difficult to concentrate when the electricity snaps off.
The director cleared his throat. "Pupil Florescu," he repeated. "Proceed to the office. Your father has left a message for you."
My father? My father never came to school. I rarely saw him. He worked twelve-hour shifts, six days a week at a furniture factory.
A slithering knot coiled inside my stomach. "Yes, Comrade Director."
I proceeded to the office as I was told.
Could outsiders understand? In Romania, we did as we were told.
We were told a lot of things.
We were told that we were all brothers and sisters in communism. Addressing each other with the term "comrade" reinforced that we were all equal, with no social classes to divide us. Good brothers and sisters in communism followed rules.
I pretended to follow rules. I kept things to myself, like my interest in poetry and philosophy. I pretended other things too. I pretended to lose my comb, but really just preferred my hair spiky. I pretended not to notice when girls were looking at me. And this one-I pretended that studying English was a commitment to my country.
"Words are weapons. I'll be able to fight our American and British enemies with words, not only guns."
That's what I said.
Our weapons course was called Preparing Youth for Defending the Country. We began training with guns at age fourteen in school. Is that old or young compared to other countries? I remember jotting that question in my secret notebook.
In reality, my desire to speak English had nothing to do with fighting our enemies. How many enemies did we have, anyway? I honestly didn't know. The truth was, English class was full of smart, quiet girls. Girls I pretended not to notice. And if I spoke English, I could better unde...
