I never really thought about doing a book review on my blog, until I finished this book a few days ago. It is unlike any other book I've ever read before. It is a devastating story, but at the same time it is a story that needed to be told. I'd recommend it to anyone, and believe it deserves a full review.
This is a summary of the book I found on a website. It is written from 2 points of view and it was hard for me to think of my own summary, so I borrowed this one, and my comments will follow.
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 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.
My comments without giving too much of it away :
- The author wastes no time pulling you in. The story literally begins with the police knocking on the door of the apartment that Sarah and her family live in. I was into the story instantly.
- The present day point of view can seem confusing at first. I kept thinking that I didn't understand all the details that were being given and why. Everything will eventually make sense and come together.
- If you've ever wondered what the Holocaust was like, you will find out when you read this book. The descriptions were horrific and while it was hard to read, it does ensure that you will never forget any of it .. which I believe was a point of the author writing the book in the first place.
- The two people who end up helping Sarah warmed my heart. It was so relieving to know that not all people during that time were monsters. They truly were heroes, and the bravest of the brave.
- Lastly, I cannot believe events like this ever took place. It makes me feel so blessed and lucky to be living when I am and where I am. I think it is important though that we all educate ourselves and remember what happened for two reasons : 1) to show respect and reverence for all the millions of lives that were lost and torn apart, and 2) to make sure that something like that never, EVER happens again.
I really hope that you guys read this, if not thanks for reading my entry!
