Review: Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

Released: June 12th, 2007
Published by: St. Martin’s Griffin
Series: Stand Alone Novel
Overall Rating: 5 out of 5
Source: Borrowed from Family Member
Page Amount: 293
School Rating: A (86%)
Age Group: Adult Fiction

Paris, July 1942: Sarah, a ten year-old girl, is brutally arrested with her
family by the French police in the Vel' d'Hiv roundup, but not before she locks her younger brother in a cupboard in the family's apartment, thinking that she will be back within a few hours.
Paris, May 2002:
On Vel' d'Hiv's 60th anniversary, journalist Julia Jarmond is asked to write an article about this black day in France's past. Through her contemporary investigation, she stumbles onto a trail of long-hidden family secrets that connect her to Sarah. Julia finds herself compelled to
retrace the girl's ordeal, from that terrible term in the Vel d'Hiv, to the camps, and beyond. As she probes into Sarah's past, she begins to question her own place in France, and to reevaluate her marriage and her life.

First Line:

“The girl was the first to hear the loud pounding on the door.”

Review:

SARAH’S KEY is a novel that I find hard to place words for. Its one of the most tragic and horrifying books I’ve ever read in my life. I’m having a hard time explaining this novel, just because I just can’t believe what really happened to all these Jews.

Before reading this novel, I had never heard of the Vel’ d’Hiv roundup that the French police did. I always thought that it was the Germans that had everything to do with hating the Jews, but the Germans had very little to do with the Vel’ d’Hiv roundup.

Tatiana has serious talent. Her writing is deep and full of meaning, but doesn’t get you bored at all. You can tell she did endless research on the Vel’ d’Hiv before writing this novel.

I thought I was going to seriously dislike Julia’s story - it just doesn’t seem interesting from the summary, but I really surprised myself and I really enjoyed it. I still think I enjoyed Sarah’s story more.

SARAH’S KEY is a novel I think every reader should read. it’s a fast read, but it is a story that will stick with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

Cover Comments:

I think the cover is beautiful, having Sarah and her little brother running. I think it has a big meaning to the story, and I love that it isn’t bright, and it almost looks like its sad.

Love,

Sierra