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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
This book kept me interested and made me aware of something buried in history. But I felt it lost it's momentum toward the end, still a good read.
I can't remember the last book I read that was this WELL-WRITTEN, on every level. Rosnay waves together two incredible stories, very realistically and honestly. The story of a young Jewish girl living in Paris who is sent away to the camps with her family and the present day character Julia Jarmond, a an American-French woman and journalist. She writes a piece about the Vel D'Hiv and the secrecy of the French police's involvement in rounding up French Jews to be killed later at Auchswitz. Heartbreaking, lovely and moving, this is a book you do not want to pass on.
First 2/3 of book was 4 stars, last 1/3 was 3. Prior to this book, I knew nothing of the French Police's involvement in the round up and deportation of Jewish families during WWII.
challenging
informative
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
I felt that this book started off strong but quickly drifted into the extremely predictable category. Interesting history of course, but I never fully engaged. The story about the young Jewish girl completely captured my attention, BUT the story eventually shifts focus to an American living in current day France that I had less interest in.
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I loved the first two-thirds with the split story but I was not thrilled with the end.
I couldn't put this book down. At one point I was balling my eyes out so just be aware it's an emotional read but I really enjoyed it.
I think I might have a moral problem with the plot of the book, but the writing was fantastic.