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By the Chapter Day 4: Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
February 12th, 2009
This week’s By the Chapter novel is Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay and is being discussed by Marcia at The Printed Page and me here at Peeking Between the Pages.
It is by far one of the best novels I’ve read in a long time and one I don’t ever see myself forgetting. Like Marcia I was trying to pace myself and read the book in sections for the chat. I gave up on that idea yesterday and just went ahead and finished it. This is definitely one of those page-turning, I have to finish it right now kind of books. If you haven’t read this book yet and it’s still sitting on your pile like mine was, dig it out—you won’t be sorry.
Today I want to talk more about Julia Jarmond and how her story connects with Sarah’s. It really is fascinating how the story comes together in a way I really didn’t expect. I had been thinking in a different direction than what had actually happened. The story in the beginning alternates between Sarah back in 1942 and Julia in 2002. At one point in the story after a devastating incident the story reverts only to Julia.
So, I did mention earlier that Julia is a journalist assigned to do a story on the roundup in July 1942 of thousands and thousands of Jewish people. They are all thrown together—mothers, fathers, grandparents, children—into a stadium and left there in absolutely horrific conditions. They aren’t given food or water. Julia is devastated by what she learns as was I. She follows up and does more research. She visits places where the Jews were kept trying to find people to talk to and getting photos. At one point she visits a daycare which had been an old train station. Above the door is a plaque reminding people of what had happened there. Julia asks the daycare worker about it and if she had known what happened. The answer was no. The daycare worker had never even taken the time to read the plaque that was staring her in the face. At another point Julia visits Drancy, a camp where the Jews had been held before being deported to Poland. People are living there now in small apartments with cheap rent. Honestly I was appalled. Granted most probably have no idea what had happened there but if they did, how could they live there? I couldn’t—the memory of the Jewish people held there would haunt me forever making a life there impossible.
As the story progresses Julia learns more and more about Sarah and her connection with the Tezac family (her husband’s family). The author has weaved such a compelling tale around Sarah’s story that you are drawn completely in and you just can’t let go of the story. I can’t say a lot more on that without giving away a very interesting part of the story.
This book has really had an impact on me. I can’t stop thinking about it and what happened to the Jewish people. My heart just aches at the atrocities that went on. People who lived in the Beaune-la-Rolande watched the Jews being taken through their town on their way to being deported. How could people just watch?—I guess they too were frightened. Again, I say to those who helped, who fed the Jewish people and those who kept them hidden for years—thank you. It was brave and a true show of the kindness of the human spirit.
I want to leave today’s post with this statement from Julia when asked why she was so desperate to find Sarah…
- ‘Sorry for not knowing. Sorry for being forty-five years old and not knowing.’ (pg 192, taken from an ARC copy, final published copy may be different)
I’m sorry too, sorry that at forty-two I also had no idea of this happening. And finally…
- ‘Zakhor, Al Tichkah. Remember. Never forget. In Hebrew.’ (pg 288, taken from ARC copy, final published copy may be different)
These are important words…this is an important book.
If you’ve missed any of our previous chats, check them out here…
- Monday at The Printed Page
- Tuesday here at Peeking Between the Pages
- Wednesday at The Printed Page
- Thursday you can find above
- Friday will be a wrap up at The Printed Page and Peeking Between the Pages
Tomorrow I will give a general overview of the novel and Saturday I will post my final review. Check in tomorrow at The Printed Page as Marcia will have a guest post from the author. Please join us in our discussion of this amazing novel.
I also want to thank Marcia at The Printed Page for sending me my copy of Sarah’s Key. Thank you Marcia. This is one novel that will be staying on my shelf to be reread again in the future.
Filed under By the Chapter Chats | Comments (11)
Wonderful post. We are so in tune with each other on this book.
Julia’s story did take unexpected twists as Ms. de Rosany led her along Sarah’s journey. I knew the apartment was going to play a part I just didn’t how big a part it was to be. I didn’t see coming the impact it would have on her life and that of the Tezac family. I would have done as Julia did.
Considering how little information Julia has regarding Sarah’s life I’m amazed she was able to follow her journey as she did. There were so many families and history lost to future generations because of these terrible acts of inhumanity.
I’m still struck by how little we know and how little people seem care about this incident and others like it. The lack of understanding written into this story only make it that much more poignant. Have we really become so heartless, self-absorbed and cynical about the world we live in? Just because these horrific events aren’t happening right now, today, does that mean we forget about them? Do we move on and never look back? I would hope not. The only way to truly move forward is to remember and learn from the past or we’re destined to repeat history.
Sarah’s story stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
This is definitely a keeper for the bookcase, a never give away and only lend sparingly kind of book. A lot of books are just read and then donated to the library or given away to family and friends. Not this one. Wonderful discussion, Dar and Marcia.
OH YAY! I’m glad this book is as good as I thought it was when I purchased. I just haven’t gotten around to reading but thanks to what I’ve been reading about it here, it just got knocked up on my list.
Dar, I’ve been following your posts and they have been terrific. I HAVE to read this book. I’m looking forward to your full review! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Dar, What a thought-provoking post this is. I especially like the 2 quotes you listed and your personal thoughts….I’m really looking forward to reading this book!
Oh, I wish I could have read this book with you. But I will definitely have to get it- I’m just overly sensitive when it comes to children in tragic situations though…
Great job on the discussion… awesome coverage on your book conversation. I MUST have this book!
Books like this one have to leave a reader touched somehow. I am glad that there are people still out there writing stories and books about Holocaust and a horrible tragedy of the people.
This does sound like a great book Dar, glad you have been enjoying it so much. It sounds very moving.
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
This book was one of my favorite reads lately. It did make me think about the residual guilt left withe generation that follow after such acts of cruelty and complacency.
b
I know I’ll be looking for this one at the library!
I’m sue I’d be like you, too, and just go ahead and finish a book if I loved it.
I’ll be back to read your review!
Happy reading!