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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
I really enjoyed this book. It was a very moving story. My understanding of the Holocaust has been limited to those in Poland and Germany. I had no idea about the round up of Jews in France and this book provided some great insight on what happened in Paris. It opened up my eyes a bit to the extent of World War 2 and just how global the effects of the war were. Makes me wonder about other countries during that time period.
Such a great book! The synopsis sounds depressing (Holocaust lit) but it's really a great journey.
Wow... Where to begin... Boring. Predictable. Poorly written. Annoying. Disappointing. Forgettable.
Why, oh why, does de Rosnay think we're all so stupid that she insists on calling Sarah "the girl" until page 132, where she drops the bomb, "My name is Sarah..." ??? As if we didn't already know! The cover kind of gives it away! Hello?! And really??? (Spoiler here) At the end of the book, who DIDN'T guess that the baby's name was Sarah? Huh? Anyone? Please. The suspense did not kill me. I knew what would happen the minute what'shername got pregnant.
I know, I know, given her background she should be excused for her faulty English, but why didn't her editor fix all the mistakes in English grammar? Why did her editor okay a dialog that includes the word "beau" coming out of the mouth of a Manhattan lawyer in her 40s?
Personally, I don't think de Rosnay was writing a book. I think she was writing a manuscript for a Lifetime Movie of the Week.
In the hands of a better writer, Sarah's story could have been amazing. The history of French round- ups (of which I knew nothing)is apalling, extremely interesting, and deserves a better author. Whatshername's (see, I've forgotten already) story (ala "Julie and Julia"), well, snooze... That too could have been better, especially without all the unnecessary marital and family drama.
Overall, a dud. But, I'm off now to a book about a North Korean spy. I have higher hopes for that one.
Why, oh why, does de Rosnay think we're all so stupid that she insists on calling Sarah "the girl" until page 132, where she drops the bomb, "My name is Sarah..." ??? As if we didn't already know! The cover kind of gives it away! Hello?! And really??? (Spoiler here) At the end of the book, who DIDN'T guess that the baby's name was Sarah? Huh? Anyone? Please. The suspense did not kill me. I knew what would happen the minute what'shername got pregnant.
I know, I know, given her background she should be excused for her faulty English, but why didn't her editor fix all the mistakes in English grammar? Why did her editor okay a dialog that includes the word "beau" coming out of the mouth of a Manhattan lawyer in her 40s?
Personally, I don't think de Rosnay was writing a book. I think she was writing a manuscript for a Lifetime Movie of the Week.
In the hands of a better writer, Sarah's story could have been amazing. The history of French round- ups (of which I knew nothing)is apalling, extremely interesting, and deserves a better author. Whatshername's (see, I've forgotten already) story (ala "Julie and Julia"), well, snooze... That too could have been better, especially without all the unnecessary marital and family drama.
Overall, a dud. But, I'm off now to a book about a North Korean spy. I have higher hopes for that one.
This book has been on my radar - and my "to read" bookshelf - for years now, but I have never found myself quite interested enough to pick it up and read it until now. I've heard much about it from family and friends who have read it; I remember it hitting the bestsellers list and flying off the shelves back when I worked at a bookstore. I am often sceptical of books like that because 1. I worry that they are not true classic of works of art but merely fads and 2. I often don't like books that other people like. But almost immediately upon starting this book I understood what all the fuss was about.
I was so interested in Sarah's and Julia's stories right from the beginning, ravenous to learn how they would each play out, how they would be connected to one another. I really did devour the stories; they were written so vividly that I could picture every scene, could feel my heart breaking along with Julia's as she learned more and more about Sarah. Every chapter seemed to leave me both achingly sad and yet, somehow, hopeful. And I think the author intended for it to be like that, for it to hurt but also to demonstrate how compassion and strength can span across generations.
I guess the only real reason I haven't given this book 5 stars is because it started to fall flat in the last quarter or so. The last several chapters seemed drawn out and arbitrary. I found that much of the ending was predictable. As soon as it was revealed that Julia's baby was a girl, I assumed that she would name her Sarah. I also didn't find it all that surprising that William didn't know about his mother's history, though it seemed like the author tried to stress that discovery as something really noteworthy and important. And finally, I didn't like that Sarah's voice ended around half way through this book. I felt that this was supposed to be her story to tell, and having the whole latter half be told by Julia alone felt a bit ingenuine.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone and would certainly put it on the list of books I love.
I was so interested in Sarah's and Julia's stories right from the beginning, ravenous to learn how they would each play out, how they would be connected to one another. I really did devour the stories; they were written so vividly that I could picture every scene, could feel my heart breaking along with Julia's as she learned more and more about Sarah. Every chapter seemed to leave me both achingly sad and yet, somehow, hopeful. And I think the author intended for it to be like that, for it to hurt but also to demonstrate how compassion and strength can span across generations.
I guess the only real reason I haven't given this book 5 stars is because it started to fall flat in the last quarter or so. The last several chapters seemed drawn out and arbitrary. I found that much of the ending was predictable. As soon as it was revealed that Julia's baby was a girl, I assumed that she would name her Sarah. I also didn't find it all that surprising that William didn't know about his mother's history, though it seemed like the author tried to stress that discovery as something really noteworthy and important. And finally, I didn't like that Sarah's voice ended around half way through this book. I felt that this was supposed to be her story to tell, and having the whole latter half be told by Julia alone felt a bit ingenuine.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone and would certainly put it on the list of books I love.
challenging
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have to stop reading WWII books for a while, for some reason they keep dropping in my lap, and I need to lighten up.
Overall, great story, captivating from page one. Such a heartbreaker, as you can imagine, and not all neatly tied up in a bow at the end. My only wish is that the author had spent more time with Sarah, and not Julia...the obsessive narrator in present day.
Overall, great story, captivating from page one. Such a heartbreaker, as you can imagine, and not all neatly tied up in a bow at the end. My only wish is that the author had spent more time with Sarah, and not Julia...the obsessive narrator in present day.
I really liked this WWII story about Sarah from her perspective as a Jewish girl taken away from all she knew. I was drawn to the book because of the description of the modern person researching her story. Sometimes it had more of the modern person's life than I cared for (which is why I gave it 4 instead of 5*s), but as a whole it was a wonderful book.
Powerful, haunting story with relatable, believable characters.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
WW 2 historical fiction
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Suicide, Blood, Death of parent, War, Classism
Moderate: Infertility