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 … 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.
Tatiana de Rosnay offers us a brilliantly subtle, compelling portrait of France under occupation and reveals the taboos and silence that surround this painful episode.
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This was my introduction to Tatiana de Rosnay’s books. Beautifully written, this tragic and compelling time split mystery laced with family secrets made me feel as if I personally walked two timelines, each as vivid as the other. Unlocking shameful episodes in France’s treatment of its Jewish citizens, this story made me realize just how easy it …
Fantastic book, stays with you for a long time.
This is another novel I’ve put on my list of best historical novels ever. Normally I’m not a fan of novels that go back and forth from the past to the present (or near to present-day), but although the author uses this construct, within moments of starting to read this stunning novel, I was hooked. Early in the book something happens (no spoilers …
So good…keep tissues on hand.
I gave this book four stars even though I had some real problems with it. The plot is inventive and gripping. I was very interested in both story lines, but I became very frustrated with Julia and her strange choices. On the one hand she was brave, beautiful, adventurous and accomplished, yet she was content to put up with her unfaithful popinjay …
I have always been fascinated with any books relating to the Holocaust and Sarah’s Key is one at the top of my list! I have reread this one multiple times and it still breaks my heart every time.
My favorite book!
Wonderful book that tells a small story about the horrors of WWII and how so many were affected.
I absolutely loved this book! I have recommended it many times to friends and family.
Beautiful story, actually visited this area of Paris and found a small marker
awesome read
A fine read, hard to put down, a sad and tragic story that I’ll remember for a long time
I was spellbound while reading this book! The movie was good, also, but not as good as the book.
It was really good story about World War II and today.
This kept my interest right to the last page. I could have read more.
I loved this book and didn’t want it to end. I could not put it down. This book is very well written and one of my favorites!
I loved this book . It was so insanely sad . Yet impossible to put down . What a story .
Not entirely a happy ending.
very sad and heart breaking [great story]
Tragic story of how the war affected people, families during and after the war, then and still.