Title: Sarah’s Key
Author: Tatiana de Rosnay
Genre: Adult fiction, contemporary, historical fiction
Publisher: Martin's Press
Publisher: Martin's Press
Publication Date: June 12, 2007
Synopsis: 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. Read more..
Review: My general rule for books to movies is: read the book, evaluate
trailer, and then maybe go see the movie. For Sarah’s Key I was unable
to follow this rule. I had never even heard of the book or movie, Sarah’s
Key, until I was waiting in line to see the movie, last September, at the
Toronto International Film Festival. My dad had received tickets through
work, and while waiting in line to get in, I discovered that the movie was
based on the novel by the same name. Seeing the movie before reading the novel,
I feel changed the way I read and felt about the novel.
First things first then, I loved
the movie. I can not express how amazing this film was. It was possibly the
best movie I have ever seen in my life, and recommend it to everyone I know. It
was brutal and beautiful all at once. From the acting to the pacing of the
film, it was prefect. Basically: EVERYTHING ABOUT IT WAS AMAZING. SEE THIS
MOVIE.
After seeing this film I went out
and bought the book, and inhaled it. Unfortunately I felt that the book fell
short of the film. Don’t get me wrong, the book was very good, and I enjoyed
it. In the novel the story alternates from Sarah’s story in 1942 to Julia’s in
2002, every other chapter, for approximately the first half of the book.
Following the stories this way was nice, because it provided the reader with a
break form Sarah’s story, which at times, was heartbreaking, disturbing and
revolting. Nothing involving the conditions of the stadium, where the Jews were
held, to the treatment in the transition camp was glossed over. Although
Julia’s story was interesting, I was always eager to get back to Sarah’s and
was disappointed when halfway through the novel, the chapters remained in the
year 2002 with Julia. After this switch I felt that the story started to slow
down slightly.
This novel was very well written,
and captivating. The novel was written in a way the drove the reader to
continue. Even when the 1942 story stopped, it continued on with Julia. I was
constantly reading to find out more about what had happened to Sarah. The
reason why I rated the novel 4.0 and not 5.0 was that I felt at times it did
not flow as well as I would have liked between the chapters. Nevertheless I
would highly recommend giving it a read, and I cannot stress how amazing the
film adaptation is.
I rarely enjoy the film adaptations
of books, so this is not something I usually say. In addition I usually do not
cry during movies. When I am the viewer and not the reader, I feel very
conscious of my distance from the story. Additionally I feel that movies are
rarely able to capture the emotions of a situation and affect my feelings.
Because of this, I was very surprised that while watching Sarah’s Key, I
don’t think I stopped crying after the third scene. Last week my father and I
went and saw the film again. I was very apprehensive that film would not be as
amazing the second time, or emotionally affecting. It was even better. Read the
book and see the film, that’s all I have to say.
Warning: Stock up on tissues!
You might also enjoy: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak or
the The Help by Kathryn Stockett
My Rating: 4.0/5.0, but 10.0/5.0 for the film!
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