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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
Sarah's Key is a novel about a Jewish, Parisian family enmeshed in the 1942 Rafle du Vel' d'Hiv. At the same time, there is a subplot, taking place sixty years later about a journalist, Julia Jarmond, who is researching the Rafle du Vel' d'Hiv and slowly piecing together Sarah's story. Apparently, this historical event as well as the shameful involvement of the French police, train and bus systems is not widely known in France and is often swept under the rug. This was a seriously moving book about an extraordinary young girl and how the trials and tribulations she underwent left one woman, so removed from the time, place and events, overwrought with sadness and, ultimately, changed forever.
It would be fair to say that Sarah's Key is not the best book in terms of style and pacing. That said, it still is a compelling book.
Tatiana de Rosnay tells two stories, the first having to do with a young girl who is rounded up during WW II. The second has to do with an American married to a Frenchman and living in France who researches the round ups and in particular, Sarah, the girl. de Rosnay's writing seems to be the best when she is speaking as Sarah. Unlike some books, for instance [b:The Kommandant's Girl|374494|The Kommandant's Girl|Pam Jenoff|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174267024s/374494.jpg|1394552]who use the Holocaust as background for a love story, de Rosnay makes sure that the reader never forgets the horror of those events. The second story, concerning Julia, is less emotionally impacting and more predictable. It is in this story that the writing sometimes feels like a history lecture. Perhaps my criticism is a little unfair because the only reason why I know about the round up is because I read [b:Your Name Is Renee Ruth Kapp Hartz's Story as a Hidden Child in Nazi-Occupied France|1335158|Your Name Is Renee Ruth Kapp Hartz's Story as a Hidden Child in Nazi-Occupied France|Stacy Cretzmeyer|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1182829742s/1335158.jpg|1324692]and heard the author speak. De Rosnay, if the remarks in the reader's guide are anything to go by, seemed inspired to write this story because of what French history books or teachers leave out. There is much good to be said for that impulse.
My main problem was Julia's obsessiveness at the end. In some ways, the very last felt a little too pat, but over all the book is good. I'm glad I read it.
Tatiana de Rosnay tells two stories, the first having to do with a young girl who is rounded up during WW II. The second has to do with an American married to a Frenchman and living in France who researches the round ups and in particular, Sarah, the girl. de Rosnay's writing seems to be the best when she is speaking as Sarah. Unlike some books, for instance [b:The Kommandant's Girl|374494|The Kommandant's Girl|Pam Jenoff|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174267024s/374494.jpg|1394552]who use the Holocaust as background for a love story, de Rosnay makes sure that the reader never forgets the horror of those events. The second story, concerning Julia, is less emotionally impacting and more predictable. It is in this story that the writing sometimes feels like a history lecture. Perhaps my criticism is a little unfair because the only reason why I know about the round up is because I read [b:Your Name Is Renee Ruth Kapp Hartz's Story as a Hidden Child in Nazi-Occupied France|1335158|Your Name Is Renee Ruth Kapp Hartz's Story as a Hidden Child in Nazi-Occupied France|Stacy Cretzmeyer|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1182829742s/1335158.jpg|1324692]and heard the author speak. De Rosnay, if the remarks in the reader's guide are anything to go by, seemed inspired to write this story because of what French history books or teachers leave out. There is much good to be said for that impulse.
My main problem was Julia's obsessiveness at the end. In some ways, the very last felt a little too pat, but over all the book is good. I'm glad I read it.
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Antisemitism, Grief, Deportation
Moderate: Child death, Death, Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Genocide, War
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Like Julia, I had never heard of the Vel'd'Hiv roundup before hearing Sarah's story. I am forever changed. Zakhor. Al Tichkah. I will remember. I will never forget.
i loved the dual storylines of this book. so much in fact, that i was itching to hear sarah's voice throughout the second half...
great piece of historical fiction, weaving its way into a contemporary story of a woman is coming of age in her 40s.
great piece of historical fiction, weaving its way into a contemporary story of a woman is coming of age in her 40s.
Ik vond het hoofdpersonage te naïef, je zag van de verste verte bepaalde dingen al aankomen als lezer en dan kostte het Julia als nog 5-6 pagina's om tot de conclusie te komen. Dat werkte niet helemaal voor mij. Verder vond ik het te voorspelbaar.
I'm still not totally sure how I felt about this book. I finished it, so that's a good sign - but it was VERY predictable. I can't remember now if it was the second or third chapter where I knew how everything was going to turn out.
Also, I found the alternating points of view in this book to be distracting.
It's not the best WWII historical novel I have read. A better one is The Book Thief.
Also, I found the alternating points of view in this book to be distracting.
It's not the best WWII historical novel I have read. A better one is The Book Thief.
Interesting story told from 2 perspectives - 10 year old Sarah a French Jewish child rounded up in 1942 at the Vel de hir and Julia, an American journalist living in Paris who becomes intrigued by teh story of the family that had lived her family apartment before the round up. A little weak in spots but all over very good.
A compelling book on a little known piece of the history of the Holocaust, centered on the roundup of Jews in France. It tells the story of the survival of a young girl, Sarah, and her guilt about leaving her brother behind, though she thought she was protecting him.- Pat T.