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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
emotional
informative
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
This book was sooo good! I couldn't put it down! Tip: Don't read this book during Christmas...it makes you want to cry during a happy time!
IMHO, the climax is reached around 2/3s of the way through the book, when Sarah's mystery is solved, and the excitement of the novel is lost from that point forward. Did not care very much for the American journalist's point of view; was more interested in Sarah herself, and her trials with the French Police and Nazis.
Worth a read, at least to learn a bit more about France's involvement in WW2.
Worth a read, at least to learn a bit more about France's involvement in WW2.
This is far from my usual read.
I enjoyed the characters a great deal. Often I have issues when people travel back and forth in time during a book. However, the way this author wrote, it was quiet easy to follow along. On the other hand, I did not enjoy the flow of the book. There were moments where I felt the author was leading up to a climax all to find myself disappointed with the actual climatic scene itself.
Overall, it was a pleasant read and it does make you stop and think about the horrible situations which occurred during the holocaust and the people who survived.
I enjoyed the characters a great deal. Often I have issues when people travel back and forth in time during a book. However, the way this author wrote, it was quiet easy to follow along. On the other hand, I did not enjoy the flow of the book. There were moments where I felt the author was leading up to a climax all to find myself disappointed with the actual climatic scene itself.
Overall, it was a pleasant read and it does make you stop and think about the horrible situations which occurred during the holocaust and the people who survived.
Such a heart-wrenching story. I really enjoyed the back story from WWII, the modern day connection was kinda bland.
The book is well written and easy to follow. The story is strong and connects past and present. It’s also very sad—one of the most depressing books I’ve read. A hard but meaningful read.
Over the years I have devoured as much historical fiction I could find about the holocaust. In everything I've read and learned, I had never heard of Vel' d'Hiv. I was horrified to read about this part of history and how it seems to have been ignored. This story does so much good in enlightening people about this important tragedy in history and helping us to never forget. While the portrayal of the present day female character, Julia, as a weak French wife with a philandering husband was rather annoying at times, I couldn't help but wonder how much of my feminist American viewpoint impacted my opinions. Being that the author is French born, I assume she is the expert on being a French wife! I do think she did a good job at portraying what an American living in Paris for so long would feel like and live.
I read this book in about three days. It was one of those books that had me up into the wee hours of the night until I just had to stop reading. It was also my first summer read for 2012. I loved it!
A rare instance where the movie fared better than the original source material.
I had unfortunately seen the movie prior to reading this book and I wish I hadn't spoiled the story. If you're thinking of just watching the movie, please also consider reading the book.
Sarah's story was haunting, I think Rosnay did a good job in capturing the empathy someone should feel when knowing they're linked to horrible events in someones life (past, present or future). Julia's story was just that; her whole storyline was about empathy and living with the reality of how we are all somehow connected to the Jewish people (and many others who were in the camps that weren't Jews) assasinated by Hitler. I felt Sarah (Sirka)'s story ended really abruptly and then went and only focused on Julia. Now after finishing the book, I can see why it was important for the author to cut off Sarah's story so quickly after she finally got back to Paris. This book is definitely not supposed to be around the Holocaust while it's happening but more so around what the after effects of the Holocaust has done, and will continue to do to future generations. I respect Rosnay's approach to writing this book. It wasn't too heavy but definitely enough to make me thankful for my own family, ancestors and story. Highly recommend reading.
Sarah's story was haunting, I think Rosnay did a good job in capturing the empathy someone should feel when knowing they're linked to horrible events in someones life (past, present or future). Julia's story was just that; her whole storyline was about empathy and living with the reality of how we are all somehow connected to the Jewish people (and many others who were in the camps that weren't Jews) assasinated by Hitler. I felt Sarah (Sirka)'s story ended really abruptly and then went and only focused on Julia. Now after finishing the book, I can see why it was important for the author to cut off Sarah's story so quickly after she finally got back to Paris. This book is definitely not supposed to be around the Holocaust while it's happening but more so around what the after effects of the Holocaust has done, and will continue to do to future generations. I respect Rosnay's approach to writing this book. It wasn't too heavy but definitely enough to make me thankful for my own family, ancestors and story. Highly recommend reading.