Book Club 2010

[Birdie07]

Don't judge a book by it's cover! I know it sounds kinda Sci-fish but this series is really amazing! If you don't like the first book I'd be SHOCKED. I think it'd be great for required reading in schools!

Originally Posted by Canadiansandy 

Just picked up the first book today. Doesn't sound up my alley at all, but after all the reviews I've read I can't wait to read it!! This is why I love book clubs

[Birdie07]

Totally forgot today is the 12th! Discussion time!!!

 

I loved this book!!! It joined my four shelves of books on the Holocaust! I was bawling by the end! The characters were very well thought out, the plot was engaging and it drew me in. I found a few questions to help the discussion:

 

1. What did you know about France’s role in World War II—and the Vél d’Hiv round-up in particular—before reading Sarah’s Key? How did this book teach you about, or change your impression of, this important chapter in French history? I actually knew about it. Since 8th grade when my english teacher realized how much I read and had me talk to her husband who was a rabbi and who's dad survived the Holocaust. They gave me personal copies of books and since then have grown my collection quite extensively.

 

2. Among modern Jews, there is a familiar mantra about the Holocaust; they are taught, from a very young age, that they must “remember and never forget†(as the inscription on the Rafle du Vél d’Hiv) Discuss the events of Sarah’s Key in this context. Who are the characters doing the remembering? Who are the ones who choose to forget? Obviously Julia is remembering, but there were a lot of people after the Holocaust who wanted to forget, including survivors. It was kind of a taboo subject. It was years before people openly talked about their experiences.  Especially people who felt they could of helped more and didn't want the blame placed on them. Obviously, the French didn't want this dirty mark on them so they chose to forget.

 

3. Why do modern readers enjoy novels about the past? How and when can a powerful piece of fiction be a history lesson in itself ? I enjoy novels from the past b/c I think it's important we learn from them. It was a dark time in history and though we say "never forget" we are repeating history. Genocide is still happening around the world. Other people are suffering and saying we won't forget but not acting is our problem. We must not forget and take the steps to prevent it.

 

4. We are taught, as young readers, that every story has a “moralâ€. Is there a moral to Sarah’s Key? What can we learn about our world—and our selves—from Sarah’s story? I think it has many morals. One like above..not forgetting. Second, we must realize we are all human beings. We cannot spend our lives being racist and act like one person is better than another. We have to show humanity. We cannot be naive that just b/c we remember that something like this can't happen. It happened in Rwanda, it is happening in the Sudan. Yet, we do not like to talk about it. We can't afford to turn our backs and then after the fact act surprised, shocked and ashamed. I think that is the moral of the story.

[TonyandTricia]

I only have a minute so can't answer the questions right now, but I just wanted to say that I LOVED this book. It is one of my new favorites. I couldn't put it down. It was a very heartbreaking story. I didn't know really anything about the French involvement in the Holocaust and looked up things up after reading the book. It was just amazing to me that the French police officers agreed to participate. My husband is a police officer and I just kept thinking about him and his squad, friends, ect from the department and it's just amazing that the officers participated. It's just absolutely unfathomable to me that they could contribute while having their own families and little ones at home. It just shows how brainwashed people were at the time. Even though it was a heartbreaking story I didn't finish it feeling depressed. It's hard to explain, but I felt a sense of peace. That this woman had fought to get this story out and was determined and brought attention to the subject to keep it alive. Great book.

[Banksnelson]

Started reading Hunger Games. Im only on Chapter 6 but I think I'm hooked and def going to have to read all three in a row!

[Teira1031]

I'm about 70 pages into Hunger Games and am totally hooked, cant put it down! Does anybody know when it takes place? in the future?

[Birdie07]

It never says what year, if thats what you're asking. It's an unspecified time. I think the author in an invterview said "centuries" into the future. Glad to hear people liking it!!!!

Originally Posted by Teira1031 

I'm about 70 pages into Hunger Games and am totally hooked, cant put it down! Does anybody know when it takes place? in the future?

[Oryx]

Hi ladies,

 

Sorry, it's been a crazy month and I didn't get to read Sarah's Key.  I'll keep it on my list for later and start Hunger Games for our next discussion!

[Birdie07]

Yay! And we're back. Seems we had a little snafoo and this thread disappeared. I don't think anyone noticed. How's everyone doing on Hunger Games. And was wondering if you are enjoying it do you want to do all 3 books and end on January 12th and discuss all 3???

[PaperBagPrincess]

This is great, can I join in?

I've read the hunger games, loved loved loved it.  Like to join in on the next book in the new year if that is okay?

[Teira1031]

I think we should do all 3 books! I finished the 1st one in like 2 days and its such a cliff hanger i started reading the next one right away and finished it a couple days later and am now half way through the last book! Such a great series! I love love love it! Great pick!