"Sarah's Key" written by Tatiana DeRosnay

When a friend suggested I read Sarah’s Key by Tatiana DeRosnay, my initial response was (simply because I have read so many books about this topic) oh no, not another book about WWII and the holocaust. But, despite my initial reaction I read it and am very glad I did. What truly impresses me is that with every book of this genre that I read, I can honestly say that I learn something new about that period of history that I didn’t know. From the opening sentence “The girl [Sarah] was the first to hear the loud pounding on the door” I couldn’t put Sarah's Key down.

The novel is set in WWII France and explores yet another unfathomable atrocity of the holocaust – the Vel’d’hiver. On July 16th, 1942 the French police (yes, the local French gendarme) conducted a well thought out round-up of French Jewish families in the middle of Paris. The round-up was conducted by the French authorities and it was the first time they took entire families including women, infants and children. The fact that this atrocity was conducted by their local police brought the moral dilemma of the holocaust to the hearts and minds of ordinary Parisians for the first time. I won’t give the horrific details of what happened – suffice it to say that if you had no knowledge of history you just wouldn't believe it could happen.

DeRosnay engages the reader with some very likable characters and very a compelling story. She cleverly interweaves of the stories of Sarah, her family and the Vel’d’hiver with the story of Julie, an American expatriate journalist married to a French man and living in modern day Paris. Although the parallel plot is a bit contrived, the convergence of the story lines makes for a very compelling read and an interesting group discussion. Overall, I enjoyed Sarah's Key for a fast read and a great book club pick.

"The Sister" written by Poppy Adams

The Sister is a tale of two sisters, vivacious Vivien and the very logical, lepidopterist, Virginia. Their complex relationship undergoes a dramatic metamorphosis, much like the moths that Virginia and her father study so intently. As told to us by Virginia the young sisters are inseparable, loving and carefree. Vivien is three years younger than Virginia, but she takes on the role of protecting her older sister.

Although we’re never quite sure why Virginia needs protection, there are many implications that she has some kind of disability – perhaps a developmental disorder on the autism spectrum. Clearly she has difficulty understanding and relating to people, including her family. By her own admission, Virginia much prefers the company of moths and the scientific process to the company of human beings & their incomprehensible emotions.

The family begins to unravel when Vivien “sheds her shell” and moves to London to begin a new life, leaving Virginia behind to deal with her mother’s alcoholism and her father’s absorption in his research. Virginia finds security and comfort in the order and rules of nature and scientific study but the secrets they keep are the catalyst for the dramatic turn of events at the end of the story. The sisters each have their own perception of reality, but what determines the truth? The Sister explores the theme of what constitutes reality and truth and led me to the question: is there such a thing as universal truth that transcends our individual realities?

Although it contained a bit too much information on the study of moths for my taste, I found The Sister to be a thought provoking and interesting read with enough complexity for a good book group discussion.

"The Well & The Mine" written by Gin Phillips

The Well and the Mine is a beautifully written novel. From the lyrical prose and finely drawn characters to it's evocative setting, this debut novel from Gin Phillips is masterfully composed. Set in 1931 in a coal-mining town of rural Alabama, the plot unfolds as young Tess watches an unknown woman throw a baby into her family’s well. From the opening scene I was completely immersed in the story’s place, time and characters, but The Well and The Mine is about much more than the mystery of the baby in the well and coal mining in Alabama. The strength of family, love and community temper the harsh reality of poverty and racism in depression-era life.


The Moores are hard-working, compassionate people and through their example they instill those values in their children. Their love for each other and their ability to see beyond their own needs enable them to manage their daily struggles with grace and dignity. There will always be those who are more fortunate and less fortunate than you, but what matters most in this world is how you live with what you are given. Although the Moores are clearly of modest means, they never refuse food to anyone who knocks on their door.


In the book, the well and the mine are dark underground places yet both can sustain life or deplete it depending on the circumstances. The coal miners rely on the mine to provide their daily living and sustain their lives. But the mine can just as easily take their lives. The same paradox applies to the well. The water that the well provides is life giving, but for the unknown baby it is a grave. Is it fate that determines the circumstances of our lives and does it matter what cards we have been dealt? Or is it what we do with what we have that counts? The Well and the Mine explores these themes with a richly woven story and beautiful prose that drew me in and wouldn’t let me go.

The beginning...

It all started with a love of reading, a passion for well-written stories, interesting characters & plot lines that leave you begging for more and it resulted in....

The Book Enthusiast your source for what's worth reading!

My addiction to books began a long time ago when I was 5, and my father took me to get my very own library card. By the time I worked my way up to the "Nancy Drew" mysteries, I was truly hooked on reading. My BA in English helped me understand how to read critically and appreciate well-written literature. Over the years my taste has matured and my thirst for well-written (but very readable) books has taken on a life of it's own. To help me quench my thirst, I founded a local book club that has been meeting monthly for over 10 years.

Because so many of my friends and co-workers routinely ask me for book suggestions I decided to write down my thoughts and share them via this blog. My motto about reading is "so many books, so little time!" I will be posting mini reviews of books that are not only good reads, but will definitely make for good book club discussions.

Enjoy!

The Book Enthusiast