Sarah’s Key – Tatiana De Rosnay
This book was better than I expected and I ended up finishing it in about 3-days. I wasn’t sure what to expect from a fictional Holocaust story, it seemed like an odd subject to write a fictional story about. What I loved about this book is that it addressed a horrific historical event with fictional characters and kept you interested in the characters themselves. I find the tendency is to try to bludgeon the reader with the horrific details of the events making the characters secondary and removed. The holocaust story is told through the eyes of the little girl and it’s only through the reader’s connection to her, and her innocence, that the horror is perceived. Rather than bombarding the reader with horrifying events, she allows you to imagine based on history we all know.
I was also surprised that the holocaust story only lasted through half the book. The rest of the book is spent investigating the aftermath of this girl’s story. Again, this was an interesting, and unique, take on the impact of the holocaust. It turns the spotlight on those who turned their heads and ignored what they knew has happening. I found myself gripped by the guilt that remained for generations.
Now, the book is by no means perfect. There quite a few conveniences that were difficult to believe. I also never understood the purpose of Julia’s relationship with her husband. I kept expecting some catharsis that never came. After finishing the book, I still feel this entire storyline was a distraction.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. It was a quick read that I will not pick up again. I recommend it as a half-price books buy.