Historical fiction book · Curated
Sarah's Key
Tatiana de Rosnay · historical fiction
In July 1942 Paris, ten-year-old Sarah Starzynski is arrested with her parents in the Vél' d'Hiv roundup—but not before she locks her little brother in a cupboard, promising to come back. In 2002, American journalist Julia Jarmond, assigned to the sixtieth anniversary, traces Sarah’s apartment into her own French in-laws’ history. Tatiana de Rosnay’s novel is WWII dual-timeline historical fiction of occupied Paris, a child’s promise, and a family secret that will not stay buried.
Why read it: A widely searched Holocaust dual-timeline novel (and 2010 film)—WWII historical fiction of the Vél' d'Hiv, and a Paris counterpart to camp and resistance stories already on the shelf.
About this historical novel
Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay is historical fiction set around 1942 / 2002 in the World War II era / Late 20th century period with key settings including Paris, France, Vél' d'Hiv, Beaune-la-Rolande. In July 1942 Paris, ten-year-old Sarah Starzynski is arrested with her parents in the Vél' d'Hiv roundup—but not before she locks her little brother in a cupboard, promising to come back. In 2002, American journalist Julia Jarmond, assigned to the sixtieth anniversary, traces Sarah’s apartment into her own French in-laws’ history. Tatiana de Rosnay’s novel is WWII dual-timeline historical fiction of occupied Paris, a child’s promise, and a family secret that will not stay buried.
On HisFic we tag it under 8. Time-slip & dual timeline and 1. Literary historical fiction so you can pair it with similar story types. Recurring themes include holocaust, memory, family, occupation, and secrets. A widely searched Holocaust dual-timeline novel (and 2010 film)—WWII historical fiction of the Vél' d'Hiv, and a Paris counterpart to camp and resistance stories already on the shelf.
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Plot summary
In July 1942 Paris, ten-year-old Sarah Starzynski is arrested with her parents in the Vél' d'Hiv roundup—but not before she locks her little brother in a cupboard, promising to come back. In 2002, American journalist Julia Jarmond, assigned to the sixtieth anniversary, traces Sarah’s apartment into her own French in-laws’ history. Tatiana de Rosnay’s novel is WWII dual-timeline historical fiction of occupied Paris, a child’s promise, and a family secret that will not stay buried. A widely searched Holocaust dual-timeline novel (and 2010 film)—WWII historical fiction of the Vél' d'Hiv, and a Paris counterpart to camp and resistance stories already on the shelf.
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Eras
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Regions & places
Europe
Paris · France · Vél' d'Hiv · Beaune-la-Rolande
Themes
- holocaust
- memory
- family
- occupation
- secrets
Tags
bestseller · book-club · dual-timeline