One of the best I've read in a long time. It has been discussed several times here. I'm not sure that it had its own thread.

I liked the old story, didn't care so much for the current day story. I find that's true in many books. I understand there's a movie coming out, or maybe it's already out. Has anyone seen it?

That's weird. The first time I read this thread, I didn't see Woodnymph's opening comment, just Veronica's. So, oops,sorry I repeated the moved info. I also wanted to add something about why I liked the old story better than the current one. The current story seemed a little more forced, like the author was struggling to make it fit the story line instead of letting it flow naturally - if that makes any sense.

Sarah:

What do you mean by "the old story" -- is there a title you'd recommend as better? I have "Sarah's Key" on my TBR list, but maybe there's some another version of the subject that I should bump higher than that?

The movie opened today, at least in my area (D.C./Northern Virginia).

I, too, am unclear as to what the "old story" is.

I assumed she meant the historical story in the novel and the current time one.

I enjoyed the book very much, mostly because it brought to light a little known historical event and I feel it is very important that we remember and document these things. I know a fair amount about WWII but I had never heard of the Vel d'Hiv genocide, and I went on to read more about it, although there is precious little out there.

I'm not familiar with this book or movie but have just been listening to a talk by American writer Hal Vaughan on his latest book Sleeping With the Enemy: Coco Chanel Nazi Agent.
Siobhan, I agree with you, these events should not be brushed under the carpet however old the perpetrators of evil have become.
Below is a short account of the background to the French national attitude towards the 'Jewish problem' and how the Vichy Government dealt with it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Vichy France

Sorry if I was unclear. Yes, Vernoica is correct. It's been more than a year since I read it, but I believe that there are basically two connected stories -- one takes place during the Holocaust and the other during modern times.

PammyFay - I wouldn't want to discourage you from reading the book. It was a real favorite of many in my book group. I was just stating my preference for the Holocaust part of the story. I often find it the case that when I read a book in this format, I tend to prefer the old story over the current day story. For instance, in People of the Book, I much preferred the stories about the history of the book to the personal story of the young woman who was restoring books. That's just my opinion, though.

I agree that this history should not be "swept under the carpet." Many of those who perpetrated the worst crimes are no longer living, but the stories should still be told. I guess there is some controversy surrounding the Chanel book; the company is really disputing this version of her life.

A-ha! The book has 2 storylines. Got it!

I don't know much about it (haven't read a review of it or the movie), just what I read quickly on the book jacket, and that was quite a while ago. (I'll read the book before I venture into the movie theater for it.)

Thanks for clarifying!

I recently read Far To Go by Allison Pick. It's a novel set in Czechoslovakia/the Sudetenland after and during the time that Chamberlain signed the treaty giving the Sudetenland to Germany. Another part of history I am ashamed to admit I knew about, but knew nothing about it really. I couldn't put the book down. Again, it's two stories with two different time lines, with interconnected characters. Well written with great characters who I cared about.

I am enjoying that there are so many books being written lately that bring us stories of the people who lived through the war, not "just" the military and political aspects.

There are some great plays on words that are spoken by characters in the historic, that made me chuckle and definitely added to the flavor of the era.

I saw the movie today and really liked it. I have not read the book so I can't compare it, but I liked the modern story, too. It was tied together well, with the present-day family buying and remodeling the old apartment and the woman expecting an unplanned child.

The friend I went with had to get up and leave after 10-15 minutes. She couldn't take it, perhaps partly because she lost two little girls to cystic fibrosis a number of years ago. One was a baby, but the other one lived to be ten years old.

I read the description on the back cover of the book. To me it sounded unbearably painful and I decided not to torture myself by reading the book.

I find my tolerance for that kind of suffering grows less with the passage of time. I used to be able to read books like this, but I simply cannot any more.

Rosefolly

I read Sarah's Key when it first came out-what a wonderful story! Her second book was o.k. but not near as good.

I'm with you, Paula. I have trouble with these painful books as well. And there is a terrifically painful part of this story.

I saw the film last night and I enjoyed it very much although the subject matter is painful and horrible. A story that needs to be told. I read the book some time ago and remembered very little about it except for the details of the Vel d'Hiv horror. I did some extra reading at the time as I had not heard of it and feel it is important to know about these things and remember them. I can certainly understand how it could be too painful to read the book or watch the movie. Anything with children in such situations is very hard. The actors were wonderful, IMHO, especially the one who played the young Sarah.