Published: 2007Pages: 304
Genre: Historical fiction
Journalist Julia Jarmond is assigned to write an article about the Vel' d'Div' roundup which happened in Paris in July 1942. This was the day when Sarah, a ten year old girl, was brutally arrested along with her family by the French police. As Julia researches this topic, she begins to uncover this girl's life and a trail of long-hidden family secrets.
My friend recommended Sarah's Key to me and let me borrow it. She said it almost made her cry, and after reading I can understand why! This book is tragic, devastating, and disturbing. But it's also very beautiful and is sure to never be forgotten.
The first thing I noticed when I started reading was how nice and smooth de Rosnay's writing is. Her sentences are very well crafted and filled with imagery that allows you to feel like you're there in Paris. De Rosnay has a true talent of conveying the characters' emotions with such ease. Writing-wise, this book was a sheer delight to read.
Let's talk about the plot. And what a plot it was! Sarah's Key is based on the real events that happened in Paris in 1942, but the specific characters are obviously works of fiction. Sarah is only a little girl when her family is abducted by the french police. She locks her little brother in their "secret hideout", which is essentially a cupboard. Sarah says that she will return later to free him, and is constantly trying to escape to fulfill her promise. As the readers we are thrown back and forth into the present day and 1942 to experience Sarah's ordeal and to discover the details of her story along with Julia, the journalist. This book is very well presented and tied together in the end to my satisfaction.
I read this book in less than a day and felt like I literally couldn't stop myself - I wanted to discover Sarah's story and the details of her family as soon as I could. This is an addicting and very potent book that will evoke many emotions in you without a doubt. Be prepared to cry, scream, laugh, and get lost in Sarah's Key.
Recommendation: Honestly, I think this book would suit almost any reader. The next time you're out, find this book, take it home, sit in a comfy chair, and be prepared to not get up until you've finished the last page.
11 comments:
Wonderful review! I love books that I'm completely incapable of putting down.
Excellent! Another topic I'm totally hooked on... the Holocaust. Will def. grab this one!
I have had this on my TBR for ages! And each time I come across the review, I keep asking the same question - what happened to the brother? Did Sarah manage to get him out in time? I have to read it, right?
Juju - Thanks! I love those kind of books too.
Jeanne - Great, I'm sure you'd enjoy this one! Read it for sure.
Aths - I want to tell you, but that would spoil so much of the book! You'll have to read it.
Fantastic review! I can't wait to read this. I've got it on loan from my sister and hopefully I will be getting to it later this week.
I've heard lots of great tings about this book! I'll definitely be reading it (need to borrow it from my sister!)
I agree with you! I loved this book and reviewed it here. I read it very quickly just as you did - I could not put it down.
I read Sarah's Key earlier this year and loved it too! I was so sad when I finished, because of the subject in general and because I had completed it.
I had the same reaction to this one - I couldn't put it down once I started reading it. Glad you enjoyed it!
Oh, this looks wonderful. I love books with a historical setting, and the Holocaust is one of my favorite topics. The stories are just so engrossing to read!
Sounds wonderful. Thanks for mentioning it!
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