Book Review - Sarah's Key By: Tatiana De Rosnay

I KNOW I still have yet to do a real life update...but here's another book review =)

Interest:

Not sure what it is about the Holocaust I find so interesting, but it is definitely something I have always been drawn to. I remember choosing books on the Holocaust to read as a 3rd grader...I think its because its real world and my grandpa was in WWII. Anyways, as an adult, same attraction. I saw that it was a Holocaust-era book and immediately attracted to it. The book is not a true story, HOWEVER, the historical content about the Vel' d'Hiv roundup in France in 1942 is true.

Initial Reaction:

The book started off well, ever chapter is between past and present. It starts off on the night of July 16, 1942 when a young Jewish girl's family is arrested by French policeman. The next chapter is an American journalist living in France 60 years later. It is a real page-turner, I read the book in 2 days flat. Nearly 300 pages. I did not like the journalist's story as much, I enjoyed reading about the girl and her journey. However, about a quarter of the way through the book, I started to catch on to the connection between the past and the present.

Overall Review:

I'm trying desperately not to give too much detail and spoil the book, its insanely good. Extremely sad though and I did not feel like there was closure at the end. Or maybe there was closure, just not the kind I'd hoped for. The lady's life was changed, but she did not seem to be moving on to bigger and better things. Maybe the end is a good setup for a 2nd novel, wouldn't be enough material though, I don't think. I just wanted her to be happy and at peace...she wasn't. I give it a 4 out of 5 stars. ONLY because of the ending.

Recommendation:

I got this book here free, I will keep it and give it to my kids to read, good historical context. I would read it again AND I would buy it and buy it again if I had the choice. GREAT book! And apparently its a movie now...or going to be one soon. I will be watching to see the difference in the book/movie. I like doing that.

Bye y'all!