Sarah's Key: A Novel

I have read a lot of books in my time, but I this has certainly been one of the most touching stories that I have read. This is a book that grabs at your heart and won't let go. It gives you valuable insight into what people who were involved in the Jewish roundup during WWII went through, from a unique "firshand" perspective. This book is a work of fiction, but is based upon historical facts and gives a vivid description of the time period and the Vel' d'Hiv roundup.July 1942 marked a dark period in the history of France where thousands of Jewish families were rounded up and kept in the Velodrome d'Hiver for days with little to no food, no toilet facilities, no medical facilities, and horrible conditions. They were then sent off to transit camps in France such as Drancy, before being packed off to Auschwitz, a Nazi death camp. What is so unnerving about this whole incident is that the rounding up and mobilisation of Jews for deportation was done by the French authorities, a fact that is known by very few.This book centers on two different character's, Julia and Sarah's, perspectives. Sarah is a young girl who was captured in the roundup and after leaving her little brother behind desperately tries to return to save him. Julia is a novelist who lives in Paris who discovers that Sarah and her family lived in an apartment that her family owns and sets out to discover Sarah's story. In the process she discovers that delving into the past can change not only your entire life, but the lives of others as well. This focuses on Julia's search for the truth, and for happiness in life.Sarah's Key is a book that certainly makes you realize how lucky so many of us are. It gives you a very emotional, first-hand perspective into that time in history and makes you feel as if you are actually there. This is a very poignant and touching story that is most certainly worth a read. I personally would recommend it to anyone, especially those who have any interest in World War II and the Holocaust.

Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay is a story that is told through two perspectives by two main characters: Sarah and Julia. The story takes place between two different time periods as well: in 1942 and 2002. The history behind this story occurred during the unforgettable event of the Veldrome De' Hiver roundup in Paris, 1942, where an incredible amount of Jewish children and families were transported to a large, abandoned, cycling arena. Julia becomes interested in this subject and begins to research more about this event that has taken place within one European country. However, similar events have also taken place in other countries. The reader starts to learn more about Julia's life and the way it was related to Sarah's. It is known that this story has impacted Julia's decisions, her goals, and overall the way she visualizes life. This novel starts in the year 1942, Paris, where Sarah is one of the major characters within the story's plot. She experiences locking her younger brother, Michel, into their secret cupboard when French police come into their house demanding and retorting orders for the deportation to camps. She remembers leaving her brother alone and holding the precious key within her fingers, wondering if she will ever meet her brother again. Unfortunately she is sent to the Beaune-la-Ronde, separating from her parents sent to Auschwitz, leaving her brother to his death. Julia is introduced within a great amount of alternating between both time periods. Beginning in 2002, Julia is living in Paris with her husband Bertrand and her daughter Zoe. She is an American journalist who is given the job to write an article. She decides to research about the Veldrome de `Hiver roundup and the ordeals of one family and a ten-year old girl, Sarah. As the story progresses, the reader starts to learn more about Sarah's struggles and dreadful experiences, but also about Julia and her determination in finding the truth behind Sarah's mystery.Furthermore, the story covers what really happened during the early 1940's in France, concerning the roundup of Jewish families and their transportations to several concentration camps. Julia is trying to reveal the secrets behind what really happened. She is determined to learn more about Sarah's story. As the novel advances, the reader finds how her own life is linked to Sarah's story. It affects Julia's decisions. The story affects her way of living a well. She is now being divorced from her husband. She is also keeping her child and naming her Sarah. She is appalled by the ignorance of society on their knowledge of the Veldrome de' Hiver. The message of the story however is clear: never forget. Once a story is told it is not forgotten, it just takes one to remember and believe it. All in all, I believe that this was a very interesting story. The author has definitely placed a large amount of thought into the novel and has resulted in successful work. However I would not recommend this book to an individual who is not interested in the events taking place during the Holocaust. If I were to state one point that did not engage me while reading was the fact that Rosnay tends to use short, choppy sentences that do not seem to flow from one to the other. She also seems to repeat too many of the phrases. Otherwise, the story cannot be underestimated. It is truly a book that when started, is worth finishing.

I have to say this is my #1 favourite book ever. I’ve read it four times and will probably read it again. I felt every emotion while reading it. I’ve bought it for my loved ones too. Love this book.

I actually did end up going to Auschwitz after reading this!

I'd already watched the film so was prepared for the horror of Vel d'Hiv - a truly shameful part of France's history in WW2 which was hushed up until Chirac exposed France's role many years later. The war-time story alternating and linking up with the modern-day story-line has the reader gripped from beginning to end. This is a 5-star book.

A very moving book. A little predictable but it gave me a history of something I never knew about. A shameful secret from a war torn France that the world needs to remember. The author tells the story in a very readable engrossing way. I am very glad I downloaded the sample as I could not stop before I knew Sarah’s story. A page turner that took only two days to read. Totally recommend the book.

A very moving and sometimes disturbing story but an important reminder of the atrocities of war. Could not put it down