Sarah's Key

Sarah's Key

By: Tatiana De Rosnay

Book for the Month of MAY

Starred Review. De Rosnay's U.S. debut fictionalizes the 1942 Paris roundups and deportations, in which thousands of Jewish families were arrested, held at the Vélodrome d'Hiver outside the city, then transported to Auschwitz. Forty-five-year-old Julia Jarmond, American by birth, moved to Paris when she was 20 and is married to the arrogant, unfaithful Bertrand Tézac, with whom she has an 11-year-old daughter. Julia writes for an American magazine and her editor assigns her to cover the 60th anniversary of the Vél' d'Hiv' roundups. Julia soon learns that the apartment she and Bertrand plan to move into was acquired by Bertrand's family when its Jewish occupants were dispossessed and deported 60 years before. She resolves to find out what happened to the former occupants: Wladyslaw and Rywka Starzynski, parents of 10-year-old Sarah and four-year-old Michel. The more Julia discovers—especially about Sarah, the only member of the Starzynski family to survive—the more she uncovers about Bertrand's family, about France and, finally, herself. Already translated into 15 languages, the novel is De Rosnay's 10th (but her first written in English, her first language). It beautifully conveys Julia's conflicting loyalties, and makes Sarah's trials so riveting, her innocence so absorbing, that the book is hard to put down.

Thoughts on 1000 White Women

I am never really amazing at summing up a book or writing my thoughts out and let's face it Abby is amazing at it and everything else English and Writing related:) But, here is goes. . .

It took me about 100 pages to get into this book and from there on I became attached to the characters and really enjoyed the book. I love books about women and their lives - I guess I just like to hear other women's stories of braveness, courage, adversity, and triumph. It is inspirational to me.

I just have to mention what a tough life May was leading, being torn away from her husband and children and left at an asylum. It is hard to believe a father could do that to a child no matter the circumstances. Her attitude and her character while in the asylum were inspirational, I would hope that put under such circumstances I could do the same.

It was also quite surprising to me some of the things that happened not amazingly long ago such as sending 1000 white women out to the indians as wives. I tried to put myself in the situation and decide if I would have been one brave enough to go or would I have stayed in my present circumstances?

The end of the book was an ending that kind of left you numb. I like books that don't always have happily ever endings I think they are refreshing and real. However, they do leave me wishing the best would have occurred for the characters I have become so acquainted with.

I loved this book, I had never heard of it before and was glad Abby chose it as our book! I am loving this book club thing, it keeps me reading and I love hearing others thoughts at the end of the month.

My Thoughts on One Thousand White Women

Caution: Do not read this post if you haven't read the book and still want to. :)

So I have to say, I think we have done pretty well on the book selection so far. I thought this book was interesting as well. The beginning was a little bit slow, but I got more caught up in it the more I read. Here are my thoughts:

Honestly, my least favorite part was the love affair between Mary and the Captain. It felt kind of silly to me. That aside, I liked Mary as a character. I admired her strength and courage. I also loved how she made herself fit into her new life. I really believe that she loved the Chief. She loved her sister/wives. I got the feeling that she had a real appreciation for the experience she was given and for the simplicity and fairness of the Cheyennes. Her relationship with her husband and her dependence on him for safety and comfort is so true to life. I loved their "honeymoon." I especially liked when they are talking to each other in different languages, but it still brings them closer together. Story of my life! Men and women rarely speak the same language. But I know when I take the time to talk to my husband and tell him everything, I always fell closer to him.

Really I have a thing for Indians. If you didn't know that about me, now you do. I just find that culture so intriguing. My favorite parts were when she was describing everyday life with the tribe and within her family.

I also loved all the other women. They made me laugh and cry. My two favorites were Sara and Miss Lovelace. Sara seemed so young and innocent. I felt a sad for her, because she probably experienced some horrible things to become mute. It made me so happy when she was happy. To me it is no small miracle that she learned how to be happy and successful. Daisy Lovelace was a very dynamic character. She held onto the past and the love for her father by saying completely inappropriate things. However, it was obvious that her words did not match her feelings. She loved her husband, the Indians, and Phemie. I thought she showed a lot of bravery as well. I loved that she brought her white lace wedding dress. She was committed.

There are so many things I could say about this book. There are so many dimensions of the book to talk about and so many relationships. It is like I don't even know where to start or which parts are most important. So I guess this is it!