Summer '09 discussion thread: Sarah's Key

[Caryl]

Here is our discussion thread for Sarah's Key, one of our summer group reads. As always, be cautious of reading the posts below if you haven't finished, as they may contain spoilers.

[SusanH]

****SPOILER ALERT! Don't read if you don't want to know.****





I just finished it this morning and am still processing it. What a compelling read! I had a few quibbles, mostly with the last third of the book, but the early sections detailing Sarah's arrest and escape were completely riveting, haunting and oh, so awful.

I think the one bit that irked me was when the author really drew out the surprise reveal of the baby's name. It was so clear with every passing reference to "the baby", "the toddler", "my daughter" that she had named the child Sarah that I just started to get irritated. I get why she wanted the reader to hear it for the first time when William did, but it just didn't have the big build-up or surprise that the author seemed to be shooting for.

This was at times a very difficult book for me to read, with children nearly the ages of Sarah and Michel and with a baby named Sarah. The descriptions of the separation of the mothers and children in the camps will haunt me for a long time.

I was saddened by Sarah's inability to tell her family what had happened and her inability to find peace and comfort in her son but at the same time, it seemed completely believable. So many from that generation seemed to lock the horrors inside and attempt to get past them that way. I loved the scenes involving Julia and her FIL and their new connection.

[ajpr2]

SPOILERS MAY BE AHEAD...






Okay I finished this a few days ago, but am just now finding the time to write my thoughts.

I really, really enjoyed this book. Sounds sad to say considering the main storyline. My dad is Jewish, however after being disowned for marrying a Catholic woman, it isn't a part of his life he discusses much. So instead I find myself drawn to things that deal with the holocaust. It is a heartwrenching part of history, that sadly, affected my family.

As far as the book itself goes, I thought it was very well written. I thought the author did a good job making us feel the emotions of the character. The way she described the roundup was so horrific that it made me break down in tears.

However, having said that, I agree with Susan about a few items. The name of the baby... duh. That was a given. Also, I understand the we discovered how Sarah died was important, BUT I wish maybe at the end... even just a page, there was a final goodbye from Sarah as she drove herself to the end. I know that is what the author was trying to do with the letter, but I still felt like I needed closure. And hmmm... I wonder if there was a future for William and Julia someday... but that is just the romantic in me.

I was not only saddened by Sarah's inability to tell her family, but with the FILs and his father's as well.

[iherrera]

Thanks for the warning, I didn't read the threads after so many warnings . This book is my next read since it has to be returned to library.

[iherrera]

I finished the book earlier. I cried a lot, I mean, long sobs.

I knew it would be a hard read but I did it and I am glad the book is part of me memory now.