One Degree of Freedom

Reviewed by:

Denise Roberts

REVIEW INTRODUCTION

Title:

One Degree of Freedom

Author:

Taryn R. Hutchison

Publisher:

IlluminateYA

Date:

2020

Format:

Paperback, also available on Kindle

Length:

310 pages

OVERVIEW

This historical fiction takes place during the year 1987 when communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu uses his powerful presence to stifle the Romanian people in every aspect of their daily lives. The main character, Adriana is learning that to live during this time, there are many hard secrets to keep for herself and others. The descriptions of the characters make them very real, and their relationships with family and friends reveal just how hard it was to remain loyal in a world of spying on your neighbors, telling lies, and fearing for the safety of those you love. With beautiful descriptions of the landscapes and cityscapes taken from the author’s own time spent in Romania, the reader becomes engaged with the characters and the gamut of emotions that accompany challenges such as these dark days in Eastern Europe.

ASSESSMENT

Rating (1 to 5):

4

Suggested Audience:

High school and above

Christian Impact:

Christian groups meet in secret and the faith of a few individuals is mentioned setting a witness to others.

Other Notes:

While written for young adults, it most definitely will be appreciated by adult readers as well