Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for an ARC in exchange for an honest review – this post may contain spoilers.
Last Train to Freedom, set in 1940 on the Trans-Siberian railway is a WW2 inspired historical fiction that follows Zofia and her brother Jacek’s journey of fleeing Lithuania before Soviet forces prepare to storm the country. With many of their friends and family already captured by the Russians, hope of fleeing dwindles by the second. Zofia and Jacek grab hold of an opportunity from the Japanese consul, Sugihara who offers visas to Tokyo in exchange for delivering a parcel holding the most sensitive material detailing the atrocities of the Nazis that could change the course of the war. All isn’t what it seems with not only the Russians to fear but the Germans are crawling all over Lithuania ready to squash any sign of dissidence and destroy the material in that very package. Pursued by enemies across Serbia, Zofia catches the Trans-Siberian Express railway as her destination draws nearer, so does the enemy. Based on the historical Trans-Siberian railway and the Japanese diplomat, Sugihara who signed thousands of visas for Jewish refugees to travel across Siberia and eventually enter USA or Japan.
Deborah Swift has intricately woven a detailed and immersive narrative that balances historical context, fast moving plot and emotion that hooked me from the start. As with Swift’s other WW2 historical fiction, the attention to detail is remarkable and transports the reader into this world of fear and hope that focuses on the ordinary people or voices often lost. From the very first page, the reader is drawn into the danger, the desperation and the fear of the Russian’s invading and the threat that those who became involved in the press or showed any disapproval of the Soviet or the Nazi regime would be swiftly dealt with. Jacek is a prime example of someone who is pursued for his involvement in the press and their unwavering dedication to publishing the truth. The Japanese consul and the long queues for a visa to leave the country is also well crafted to show both the desperation and the intensity of the situation. Swift also balances the narrative that not everyone was able to obtain a visa and carefully shows that not all these stories end happily. Throughout the book, Zofia meets a variety of characters, all with different motives such as Masha and her allegiance to the Germans and Otto who also becomes entangled in this network. Both these characters are given a choice, which ultimately results in the same ending. Masha continues to aid the Germans while pretending to be friendly with Zofia and her ruthless nature is well written that contrasts with Otto who is backed into a corner and must do as the Nazis say or he fears the consequences. Yet when he is faced with murder, he decides against it and in turn becomes a hero of sorts aiding Zofia. Swift highlights the risks of aligning with the wrong side and how some characters aren’t given a choice but must obey. This cleverly maps the tricky political tightrope that many became entangled within during the second world war. I also enjoyed the way the characters like Zofia and Otto are forced to grow and make decisions that are usually out of character for them.
What I liked the most was the multiple points of view and how they all weaved the story together showing the different sides and their motives. I wasn’t aware of the Trans-Siberian railway and the context with Japan, so at first this took a while to understand the context. Overall, this is a book that carefully and sensitively addresses the fear and hope of the ordinary people with a fast paced plot that had me rooting for Zofia’s triumph.
Stay updated
Amy is a writer and reviewer and is currently working on a YA fantasy novel. For more content click here to read book reviews, short stories and updates on Amy’s writing journey.
Don’t forget to follow Amy on TikTok, X and Instagram.
Sign up to Amy's newsletter for exclusive content, updates and reviews!