Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

The novel intertwines two stories: one of a young Jewish girl named Sarah, who is brutally arrested with her family during the Vel' d'Hiv Roundup in 1942 Paris, and the other of an American journalist, Julia, living in contemporary France. As Julia investigates the roundup's history for an article, she uncovers the harrowing tale of Sarah, who locked her younger brother in a cupboard to protect him from the police, promising to return. The narrative reveals the impact of this historical event on Sarah's life and connects it to Julia's own family history, leading to profound revelations that change Julia's life. The book explores the themes of memory, guilt, and the legacy of the Holocaust.

The 8337th greatest book of all time

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Total Points: 78

Since this book was first published in 2006, there is a penalty of 51.2%. The age adjusted score is 38.06.

This is to prevent newer books from reaching super high on the ranked list of the greatest books of all time. The greatest books should also stand the test of time.