Sarah's Key in Around the World in 80 Books

May 10, 2010 Sarah rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: hot-lit, world-war-two

Like the characters in this book, I knew nothing about the Vel' d'Hiv roundup, where thousands of Jewish families were arrested by French police and sent to internment camps, and eventually to Auschwitz to the gas chambers. I never learned about this particular piece of world history in school. The people Julia speaks to in the book say they don't want to remember, it was a long time ago, they just want to forget it. I'm sure that attitude truly exists, and I say shame on them! If we allow ourse ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Dec 30, 2009 Ruth rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, books-i-own

Sarah's Key is a beautiful debut about an American journalist life changing encounter with a little girl and one of the darkest secrets in French history. This story will stay with you, even after you finished. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Sep 01, 2008 SarahC rated it it was amazing

Set in the modern day, Sarah's Key tells the WWII story of the young girl Sarah, who's life was torn apart by the treatment of the Jewish people in France. Her story is brought to light by Julia, a writer, who soon discovers her connection with this past horror.

This book contrasts and connects two women's lives in only a way that tragedy can. It is also a story of women making choices and women confined by war and cruelty. It is a beautiful book that reminds us of human connections, describing t ...more

Like · see review

Jul 13, 2010 Kristen Iworsky rated it liked it

Hmm.. The book is from two points of view- one of a child in the Vel d' Hiv roundup in France during WWII, and one of a woman researching and finding connection to the child. The writing seemed fairly juvenile, but the topic important. It would be a good high school summer book list read. ...more

Like · see review

Jan 21, 2010 Katie rated it it was ok

Shelves: ___europe, historical-fiction, female-author, war, _france

This book is about a Jewish girl living in France during World War II and a modern day journalist who is uncovering her story. I suppose the story had potential, but I did not enjoy the book. The plot was predictable and the characters were flat and completely undeveloped. At times when I should be feeling compassion for them, I was instead rolling my eyes.

I have also read a lot of really good Holocaust literature, so I expect a lot. This book just didn't cut it. ...more

Like · see review

Feb 05, 2021 Dawn rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Simply. Amazing

Very rarely do I leave a review on a book or give it 5 stars. But Sarah’s Key had me gripped from the moment I began reading it. It takes a lot for a book to make me cry. And this book hit me hard. There is a movie that I plan to watch

Like · see review

Jul 29, 2009 Sarah rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This is another really great story of the Holocaust and sheds light on something that I did not know about -- the deportation of French Jews by French Police to Aushwitz.

Like · see review

Mar 16, 2010 Jody Rowan rated it really liked it

Really liked this book! Sad story of Paris then and now as they rounded up nearly 80,000 Jews and sent them to death camps! One girls tale of survival and silent strength!

Like · see review

Jun 07, 2011 Astrid Lim rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, tragedy, world-war, europe

Great Holocaust story from different point of views: then and now. very moving yet the ending is a bit predictable. but Sarah's point of view is definitely a real gem. ...more

Like · see review