- 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. (taken from St. Martin’s Press)
This book alternates between little 10 year old Sarah living this nightmare and the modern day Julia Jarmond who is a journalist doing a story on the Vel d’Hiv’ roundup for the sixtieth anniversary of its occurance. It is a very compelling novel and extremely hard to put down even though I’m horrified reading the sections on Sarah. I keep wanting to read and keep praying that Sarah will at least come out of this alive.
I stopped myself at 120 pages last night but I’m just itching to get back to it. So far, Sarah and her family have been literally torn from their home and taken to the velodrome where thousands of other Jewish families have been taken also. The conditions are absolutely horrible—there is no water, no food; nor is there any proper medical care and it’s very hot. Sarah just doesn’t understand what is happening to her once sheltered life. She’s scared and confused—her parents look beaten, her mother unrepsonsive. Her feelings can be summed up in this thought from her:
- ‘Why was this happening to her? What had she done, or her parents done, to deserve this? Why was being Jewish so dreadful? Why were Jews being treated like this?’ (pg. 47, an ARC copy-may be different in final published copy)
Why indeed, this is a question that keeps pounding in my head over and over again as I read of the horrors occuring. I know how mean people can be but for myself I can’t wrap my mind around being that cruel to anybody. After days in these conditions, Sarah’s family was taken away on buses again to a camp where after some time she ended up separated from her parents who had been taken away to death camps. What horrified me even further was that they called the whole operation of taking the Jewish people from their homes, throwing them in these awful conditions and treating them like animals in the velodrome to taking them to Auschwitz — Operation Spring Breeze.
France sent 80, 000 Jews to death camps and only a few thousand made it back. Of those, hardly any were children. Reading this novel has my emotions on edge. There are many parts in this book that have me in tears. There are some good tears too though because even through all the horror there were still some good people who tried their best to help.
I haven’t touched much on Julia Jarmond. I will on Thursday. Today I wanted to talk more about the importance of this novel. The importance of telling this story, of making people aware of the horrors that occurred back in July 1942. That is only 67 years ago—have we learned enough to this point in our lives to make sure it never happens again. There are days I’m not so sure when I watch television and still see the horrible things happening all over the world.
If you’d like to catch up on our chats, check out the links…
- Monday was at The Printed Page
- Tuesday (is above by yours truly at Peeking Between the Pages)
- Wednesday will be at The Printed Page
- Thursday will be here at Peeking Between the Pages
- Friday will be a wrap-up between The Printed Page and Peeking Between the Pages
I’ll be back Thursday with more thoughts at By the Chapter. Please join me. And check back tomorrow at The Printed Page for more thoughts on this novel from Marcia.
I’m probably showing my ignorance, but I had no idea that this horrific even even occurred. I found this historical parts of this book to be fascinating. I can’t stress how important it is to never forgot this happened.
Timing hasn’t worked out for me to read this book along with you guys, but I sure hope to get to it this year. Enjoy!
One of the many things that bothered me was the title of the roundup – Operation Spring Breeze. I was quite shocked the first time I read the roundup name in print. It felt like they were trying to make light of this horrific event.
Another rattling part of this was the French police conducting the roundup and going after their own citizens. I thought sure it was going to be led by German soldiers but it wasn’t. I think this makes it even more distressing for the French Jews. Trying to understand why their own police force would conduct this roundup and treat them with such absolute disrespect. Neighbors too scared to help because they live in fear for their own families.
All I want to do is gather her in my arms and offer comfort. Sarah’s mental anguish and questioning of ‘why is it a bad thing to be a Jew?’ is beyond words. One day your friend is your friend. The next, due to a yellow star on your clothing, your friend is now your enemy.
This book is an emotional roller coaster ride. Uncomfortable reading at times but very difficult to put down. I want to reach out, take Sarah’s hand and guide her along her difficult journey.
My husband reads a lot about WWII and he had not heard about people being sent to the Velodrome by the French police. We of course knew that France was occupied by Nazi Germany and so it makes sense that what was occuring in other occupied countries was happening there as well. The most sad and shocking part is that it was done by the French.
Julie, like you, I didn’t have any idea about this either. I knew about the Holocaust and what happened but I didn’t realize there were other events surrounding it like this too. I was truly horrified when I started reading this.
Joy, it’s too bad you couldn’t join us. It is definitely a book that makes for good and deep conversation.
Marcia, I had to read that over again a few times—Operation Spring Breeze—because I honestly had trouble believing that any normal human being could call this terrible event by a name like that. You’re right, they were trying to make light of it. Maybe it made them feel better about what they were doing-I don’t know.
As you read about Sarah you can really feel her disbelief that it is their own police doing this. It does make it harder-these are supposedly your people and police-they are supposed to protect. At one point I read too that it was only supposed to be the parents rounded up, not the children. This was a snafoo on the part of the French Police?
It is really an emotional read. Sarah has found a place in my heart and I hurt for her too. I’m anxious to see where else this novel takes us in the next few days.
Sorry I missed your comment on my first post there Mari. I think I mentioned above that yes it makes it all the more difficult that it was done by their own people-people they trusted. I think this event seems to have been hidden quite well as it seems most of us have not heard of it, even those like your husband who have done lots of reading on the topic. I know I keep saying this but I am horrified that anyone could think of doing this to other human beings and then be able to live with themselves afterward.
I have to agree that this certainly sounds like an important novel. Still today, I’m shocked to learn that there are still places in the world (yes, even in North America), that have barely taught or educated children about this tragic and horrifying time in history…Thanks for discussing some of the novel- but especially about pointing the importance of telling this story.
wow, this does sound like an important and emotional book.
its gut renching to know things like this have happened.
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
Dar I don’t think I’m going to be able to keep myself from, very possibly, finishing this book tonight. I’ve been reading this afternoon and my heart which started crumbling at the beginning of the Sarah’s story has shattered. I don’t think I could go bed tonight without knowing the entire story. I’m so emotionally involved with this young girl’s story that I need to see it through. I promise not give spoilers. I’m thinking tomorrow’s post will follow some of Julia’s journey of discovery.
Ms Lucy, I think that’s what I find fascinating about history is the fact that I wasn’t taught any of it in school. I’m always hungry for more. I think it’s a shame people are so unaware of this event.
Naida, thanks for popping in to the chat. Yes it is so gut wrenching. At the same time I’m glad I’m reading it even though it’s so hard to take at times.
That’s ok Marcia. I can understand. I had a really hard time putting it down tonight. I just finished working and I’m going to settle in with the novel myself very soon. I’m not happy to know your heart is shattered further because that means I’m very likely not going to like what’s going to happen. You know I find this novel even more emotional than The Diary of Anne Frank and that one really got to me.
I started the book on Monday… and will be done tonight. No way could I pace myself on this one. It’s a page turner!
Operation Spring Breeze????? Good God! I am appalled about this, I can’t wait to read this book myself as I never knew about this chapter in history! Your post was excellent and I can’t wait to see what happens tomorrow!!
Dar… I finished the book. It was AMAZING! Here’s my review (and, there are no spoilers).
http://anovelmenagerie.com/ghost/2009/02/10/book-review-sarahs-key/
I mention you in it.
I wish I could’ve joined you this week. I have a copy of this and am looking forward to reading it. It sounds so emotional! I didn’t really know about this episode in the history of WWII either until a couple of years ago. So sad!
This is one of those novels that I intend to get to at some point … thanks for the sneak peek into what promises to be an absorbing read but this is as far a I’ll allow myself to go before picking it up on my own.
Hello! I’m so glad that you’re all reading and discussing Sarah’s Key! I just wanted to let you know that Tatiana actually has a toll free phone number for book clubs to call her and have her join their book club discussions! Please please spread the word. You can set up a book club chat by visiting the book club page on her website: http://www.TatianadeRosnay.com . (Please note: Since she’s in Paris, she’s available only until 5pm eastern standard time and only for US and Canadian residents.)
Thanks for all the great things you post about. I have awarded you the blog friends award at my blog http://trinsnook.blogspot.com/2009/02/blog-friends-award.html
Staci, I was appalled at Operation Spring Breeze also. How can anybody have thought that name up in all good conscience. They were killing people-I put this book down a week ago already and I’m still horrified.
Sheri, your review was awesome!
tanabata, I’d be curious to know your thoughts on this book too.
Wanda, I’ll be watching for a review from you. I’m curious as to what your thoughts will be on it.
Trin, thanks for the award. I’ve got some more blog housekeeping to do. I really appreciate that you recognized me for it.