Sarah's Key

LibraryThing book review...

Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay

In July of 1942, French authorities arrested thousands of Jewish families, held them outside the city at the Velodrome d'Hiver, then eventually transported them to Auschwitz. Sarah's Key centers around Sarah Strazynski, a ten-year old Jewish girl who is forced to go to the Velodrome d'Hiver with her mom and dad, while her little brother is left behind in a secret cupboard. Sarah believes she is protecting her brother, thinking she will be back to let him out.

The other part of the book follows the story of Julia Jarmond, an American married to a Frenchman. Julia is a writer who is assigned the story of th Vel' dHiv' roundups for the 60th anniversary. The story becomes very personal for Julia when she discovers the apartment she and her family plan to move into has a very dark secret.

This is a beautifully written book about a story that will move you and stay with you long after the last chapter. The author alternates chapters between the past and the present, which is very effective. I didn't always like or understand Julia or what she was doing, but I always absolutely loved Sarah. Sarah's own story haunted her and defined her life in many ways. Her story haunts me, also.