Link to actual copy:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ahhv2zjLPnusHIIY7FcVxm8BgtmqmZVsqbT2MkWUxV0/edit?usp=sharing
Edwin Mok
Block A
Oct. 16, 2019
Sarah’s Key, written by Tatiana de Rosnay. Published by ST. MARTIN’S GRIFFIN. Copyright date © 2007. Historical Fiction. “PARIS, JULY 1942: Sarah, a ten-year-old girl, is taken with her parents by the French police as they go door-to-door arresting Jewish families in the middle of the night. Desperate to protect her younger brother, Sarah locks him in a bedroom cupboard – their secret hiding place – and promises to come back from him as soon as they are released. SIXTY YEARS LATER: Sarah’s story intertwines with that of Julia Jarmond, an American journalist investigating the roundup. In her research, Julia stumbles onto a trail of secrets that link her to Sarah, and to questions about her own romantic future.”
Originally written in French, Tatiana de Rosnay wrote Sarah’s Key as a tribute to the children and victims of the Vel’ d’Hiv’ roundup during 1942. It wasis to those who never came back, and the ones who survived to tell their tales. Inspired by the historical dark deeds of Paris, Tatiana stumbled upon a website describing the rue Nelaton, in the 15th arrondissement, close to her residence. It was where the tragic events of Vel’ d’Hiv took place in 1942. Written as historical fiction, the author rotates back and forth between two stories regarding a journalist in 2002 and a Jewish child who experienced the horrors of the Vel’ d’Hiv. In many ways, this book is informative with unique information concerning France’s role during the Holocaust, yet it doesn’t fail to provide an emotional connection between the audience and its fictitious characters (not based on a true story).
Sarah’s Key revolves around two characters, Sarah and Julia Jarmond. Sarah was a ten-year-old Jewish girl in Paris who was taken away during the Holocaust, whereas Julia Jarmond wasis a journalist investigating the Vel’ d’Hiv roundup during this time period. From Sarah’s story, most of her supporting characters were drawn as insignificant and two-dimensional. From her friends to her parents, all we had was a glimpse of their present states, not their past nor their futures. It never explains who Sarah’s parents were or their thoughts throughout the book. As for Julia, her family is painted with more descriptions and more dimensional. The Tezacs (Julia’s family) are discussed with a richer history and are shown in a wider range of emotions. Many characters have a clear and excellent development, whereas other characters are merely providing a necessary platform to enrichen the connection between Sarah and Julia. For example, readers were introduced to Julia Jarmond. Throughout the book, she starts off as a typical American journalist whose largest concern is whether or not she pleases her husband. Towards the end, she becomes a woman who has somehow increased in maturity and confidence at the age of 45 and connected with one of Paris’ darkest years. Her relationship between her husband and love turned to become the least of her concerns.
A major theme or event the book circles around is the Vel’ d’Hiv roundup in 1942, motivated by the Holocaust. The book starts off by creatively educating readers about what the Vel’ d’Hiv is and how it has affected thousands of Jewish Parisian families. However, towards the end, the theme shifts to a more public approach of the event, on how the roundup in 1942 has affected Parisians, includingeven non-Jewish families. The theme changes from initially a historical fiction revolving around the victims from the Vel’ d’Hiv to a more modern and relatable fictional story involving present-day approaches and issues. It explores a more realistic perspective Parisians have towards the Vel’ d’Hiv.
As mentioned above, Sarah’s Key focuses on two plots, Sarah’s and Julia’s. They bBoth have their unique styles and are written in distinct voices and tones. Throughout the plot, characters are introduced at different times with different techniques. The author did exceptional work with the timing of each character’s introduction, as it added value to the plot whilst revealing mysteries and secrets during the most suitable spots. These mysteries and secrets are what ties both plots together, despite a sixty-year gap. For Julia’s plot, she has multiple subplots/issues which help enrichen her character development. The different complications she experiences are well written and provide readers with multiple areas containing suspense and sub-climaxes. For example, not only does Julia face issues concerning the dreadful events from 1942 and Vel d’Hiv, but she is also tasked in dealing with life in Paris as an American alongside a troublesome spouse. Her plot thoroughly explores the different concerns she has, and how it affects her approach to the connection between her and Sarah.
Both plots are set in Paris but with different time periods. Sarah, born in 1932, lived in a time of despair and darkness from the Holocaust. At the age of 10, Sarah’s story consisted of solely concentration camps and mental torture. ThisHer setting effectively develops Sarah into a cold character, a necessary quality that helps the plot develop more smoothly. As for Julia, her story starts off in Paris, 2002. As a journalist, Julia has the chance to research concentration camps in France during the Holocaust, and soon develop a connection between her family and Sarah. Her family members help provide an effective setting for Julia to continue her discoveries in the connection between her and Sarah, whilst also providing Julia with revelations and issues regarding her own personal life.
The final copy of Sarah’s Key was formatted in a creative way, with Sarah’s story and Julia’s switching back and forth from chapter to chapter. This type of formatting is effective when the author reveals the book’s mysteries so that neither plots would reveal necessary secrets at too early a time or too late. The imagery painted throughout the writing is done effectively, as the author is able to add details or prolong a moment to further provide readers a clear image of each scene or conversation. The vocabulary the author uses is mature but common, with words such as blatant and velour being the most challenging ones. She also occasionally includes French sayings and foul language, thus making the book inappropriate for younger teens.
The reading level for Sarah’s Key isn’t high, but at times it may be inappropriate for children under the age of 12. Albeit the language usage isn’t at an advanced level, this book deals with issues relatable to adults, especially a parent. The level of maturity required to read this book is high, therefore I would highly recommend Sarah’s Key to maturegrown students and adults who are interested in a book providing an emotional connection between the characters and its readers.
Mok, Ho Lam Edwin Writing Block 