February's book is Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay. Read about France's role in the Holocaust as de Rosnay explores the Vel’ d’Hiv’ roundup. We are meeting at Jenny's house.Publishers Weekly Review
In the summer of 1942, the French police arrested thousands of Jewish families and held them outside of Paris before shipping them off to Auschwitz. On the 60th anniversary of the roundups, an expatriate American journalist covering the atrocities discovers a personal connection—her apartment was formerly occupied by one such family. She resolves to find out what happened to Sarah, the 10-year-old daughter, who was the only family member to survive. The story is heart-wrenching, and Polly Stone gives an excellent performance, keeping a low-key tone through descriptions of horror that would elicit excessive dramatics from a less talented performer. Her characters are easy to differentiate, and her French accent is convincing. De Rosnay's novel is captivating, and the powerful narration gives it even greater impact. A St. Martin's hardcover. (June)Visit her U.S. website: http://us.macmillan.com/author/tatianaderosnay
In January, we discussed The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. Thank you, Joan, for hosting!Publishers Weekly Review
If you've ever wondered what your dog is thinking, Stein's third novel offers an answer. Enzo is a lab terrier mix plucked from a farm outside Seattle to ride shotgun with race car driver Denny Swift as he pursues success on the track and off. Denny meets and marries Eve, has a daughter, Zoë, and risks his savings and his life to make it on the professional racing circuit. Enzo, frustrated by his inability to speak and his lack of opposable thumbs, watches Denny's old racing videos, coins koanlike aphorisms that apply to both driving and life, and hopes for the day when his life as a dog will be over and he can be reborn a man. When Denny hits an extended rough patch, Enzo remains his most steadfast if silent supporter. Enzo is a reliable companion and a likable enough narrator, though the string of Denny's bad luck stories strains believability. Much like Denny, however, Stein is able to salvage some dignity from the over-the-top drama. (May)Copyright 2007Reed Business Information
Find out more about Garth Stein at http://www.garthstein.com
Because of another book I didn't get to read Sarah's Key and This is Where I Leave You until the beginning of April. I read them back to back and have to thank Cathy for putting them together like that.
ReplyDeleteSarah's Key was intriguing and interesting. The storyline of what the French did during the occupation was new to me. Being a history person I was startled that I had never heard of the roundup and its subsequent outcome. I learned something new from that one. I have to say it was rather like reading a Danielle Steele novel, though. I found myself far more interested in Sarah than the main character. I found myself saying "getting a backbone, already" at several moments in the story.
By contrast, This is Where I Leave You dealt with the dark topic of death, but in a very light and sexually gratuitous manner. I liked the story being told from a stictly male point of view as sorrow, loss and pain are very different for men. Where women are more inclined to turn to friends and talk out their feelings, men tend to have limited friendships and are certainly not going to spill for hours about how they feel. Like everyone else, I could relate to every character in the story as somewhere in my life I have met or have one of those complicated people within it.
I recommend both these books for quick and satisfying entertainment, as well as a bit of history and some cultural understanding. They both confirm what I tell the younger people in my life; Life is complicated and messy, stop trying to make it otherwise!