Sep 9th, 2011 by Annie
Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
On July 16-17, 1942, thousands of French police, in collaboration with the Nazis, gathered up 12,884 Parisian Jews, including children, in one of the most brutal and overt deportation operations orchestrated by the Nazi regime. The Parisian Jews were held in the Velodrome d’Hiver stadium without provisions for eight days, then loaded on cattle cars for deportation to the Drancy internment camp, and finally to Auschwitz extermination camp.
Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay is told in two narratives, young Sarah, who’s family is arrested during the Vel’ d’Hiv Roundup, and Julia, an American journalist married to a Frenchman, who uncovers disturbing information about this little known incident in France’s World War II history.
Sarah’s Keyis very moving, especially during Sarah’s narrative. I had never heard of the Vel’ d’Hiv Roundup before reading this novel. I am so thankful that these stories continue to be written.
“Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it.” ~ George Santayana
Book Club Party Ideas for Sarah’s Key |
Decorations
I set my table with a Jewish Shabbat tablecloth, a brass orchestra mini-menorah, a Kiddush cup & saucer
, and an old key. I also placed a bowl of kosher salt on the table in the Jewish tradition in remembrance of the ancient sacrifices brought to the altar and offered with salt.
, and an old key. I also placed a bowl of kosher salt on the table in the Jewish tradition in remembrance of the ancient sacrifices brought to the altar and offered with salt.
Music
I love the sad and haunting sound of the cello, and Jewish Cello Masterpieces is a beautiful collection which sets just the right mood for a Sarah’s Key book club party.
Listen to samples from Jewish Cello Masterpieces by clicking here.
Book Club Menu
I found a gem of a cookbook on French Jewish cooking. This amazing cookbook is not only filled with wonderful traditional Jewish recipes prepared with a French flair, but also loaded with fascinating stories and Jewish history in France. The stories and easy-to-follow recipes are accompanied by beautiful photographs and illustrations. I prepared my menu and adapted most of my recipes for Sarah’s Key from this very special cookbook: Joan Nathan’s, Quiches, Kugels, and Couscous: My Search for Jewish Cooking in France.
I love the scene in Sarah’s Key when Julia and William meet at New York’s Cafe Mozart for coffee and Amadeus cheesecake. I was intrigued on what comprised an Amadeus cheesecake, but if such a cheesecake exists, I wasn’t able to find a description of it. So…. using my imagination, I came up with what I think an Amadeus cheesecake should be!
I had my heart set on serving French Kosher Wine, but finding it in San Antonio turned into quite a challenge. As a last resort I contacted a Jewish community center and was very kindly directed to my quarry!
Book Club Resources for Sarah’s Key
Ratings at the time this post was published
| Goodreads: 4 stars (8285 reviews) |
Amazon : 4.2 stars (759 reviews) |
| Barnes & Noble: 4.3 stars (1543 reviews) |
| My Rating: 4 stars Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay is a riveting novel of loss, forgiveness, self-discovery, and redemption. |
Discussion Questions for Sarah’s Key
- Do you think the author’s two interweaving story lines work? Which do you prefer?
- Did you know anything about the French government’s involvement in the Vel d’Hiv round up? What were the motives behind the French Government’s deliberate cover up the Vel d’Hiv round up?
- Discuss the various secrets that are uncovered by Julia in this novel.
- What was your reaction to discovering Sarah’s fate?
- Did you find the conclusion of the novel satisfying? What do you think will become of Julia and William?
Other Book Club Resources |
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Jews in Velodrome in Paris Awaiting deporation
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The Author
Author Tatiana de Rosnay
 Tatiana de Rosnay |
Other Works by Tatiana de Rosnay and Recommended Reading  |
Sites of Interest
Velodrome d’Hiver Memorial in Paris
The Movie
A movie based on Sarah’s Key, directed by Gilles Paquet-Brenner, starring Kristin Scott Thomas as Julia and Mélusine Mayance as Sarah, has been released in the U.S. in 2011. This film has won acclaim throughout Europe.
Elle s’appelait Sarah le film (Sarah’s Key, the Movie
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