As the tumult of World War II draws to an end in the winter of 1945, the lives of four distinct individuals converge on a harrowing journey for survival. Joana, Emilia, Florian, and an assorted cadre of refugees seek passage on the ill-fated Wilhelm Gustloff, a vessel symbolizing hope amidst the chaos. Sepetys weaves a poignant narrative through the alternating perspectives of these characters, each burdened by their own dark secrets and united by a collective struggle against a merciless fate. The sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff, a catastrophe eclipsing even the notorious Titanic in tragedy, serves as the backdrop for a strikingly human story, wherein the fiercely resilient spirit and the enduring pursuit of freedom challenge the very face of war's desolation.