Sarah's Key ~ Food For Thought

****
I'm joining

Food for Thought

the brainchild of the very talented Jain from

Once in a Blue Moon

and editor of

Food With Style.

The book, Sarah's Key, is based on the historical facts surrounding the roundup of thousands of Jewish-French citizens in Paris, which took place under the auspices of the French police during World War II.

It was the local French police, not the Nazis, who dragged French Jews from their homes, separated parents from children & sent them on to their deaths, all of which was witnessed by French citizens who did little to stop these horrific events.


To be fair, there were a few Parisians
who tried to help the starving children
as they were taken to the trains.

One woman did attempt to hand Sarah
some bread as they marched past.




I rode my bike for some much needed exercise &
to buy some fresh flowers & French bread.

(still waiting for the danger of frost to pass before I finish planting)

The bright pretty colors of the flowers &
the carefree look to this scene,
although very reminiscent
of France,
conflict with the somber feel of this book.

It should look more like this...


Scenes of a happier time gone by.


I found this book to be chilling & haunting &
the only reason I did not give it 5 stars was due
to the somewhat random wandering of the last few chapters.
It seemed like a very anti-climactic ending &
it was as if the author didn't want it to end.

Truthfully, neither did I.

The book starts out in Paris in July of 1942. Sarah is a ten year-old Jewish girl who is arrested along with her family in the Vel’ d’Hiv’ roundup, but not before she locks her younger brother in a cupboard, intending to be back within a few hours to rescue him.
Thus the "key" in the title.



The chapters in this book alternate between the unbelievably heart wrenching happenings in Paris of 1942 & those of Paris in 2002, during the 60th anniversary of that Jewish round up by the French police at the behest of the Nazis.

The second character in the book, Julia Jarmond is an American journalist, married to a smug, arrogant Frenchman (can you tell I didn't like him?) & living in Paris in 2002. Her boss asks her to write an article about this ugly day in France's past. Through her research, she stumbles onto a trail of hidden family secrets that connect her to this little Jewish girl, Sarah. As she probes into Sarah's past, she begins to question her own life & marriage.



The author, Tatiana de Rosnay, who actually does live in Paris, creates a vivid portrait of France under occupation & brilliantly reveals the taboo of silence that surrounds this painful episode of history.
I felt her characters were realistically portrayed,
Sarah more so than Julia, though.
Your heart just aches for Sarah throughout the book.

I made a knock off version of Panera Bread's Broccoli Cheese soup &
served it with toasted, buttered French bread.

The recipe link came from Foley's blog.
She mentioned it in a comment on my post
about Asiago cheese bread.

Panera Bread Broccoli Cheese Soup

1 tablespoon butter, melted
1/2 medium onion, chopped
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup flour
2 cups half-and-half
2 cups chicken stock or bouillon
1/2 pound fresh broccoli
1 cup carrots, julienned
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
8 ounces grated sharp cheddar (no substitutes)
dash of hot sauce (optional)
1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard (optional)


Directions:

Saute onion in butter. Set aside. Cook melted butter and flour using a whisk over medium heat for 3-5 minutes. Stir constantly and slowly add the half-and-half. Add the chicken stock whisking all the time. Simmer for 20 minutes.

Add the broccoli, carrots and onions. Cook over low heat until the veggies are tender for 20-25 minutes. Add salt and pepper. Pour in batches into blender and puree or use a hand held blender. Return to pot over low heat and add the grated cheese; stir until well blended. Stir in the nutmeg and serve.

Serves 4

Thank you for telling me about it, Ms. Foley...
It was Wonderful!
If you try the recipe, be sure to use sharp cheese &
add the suggested Dijon mustard & dash of hot sauce.



I could not get this book out of my mind.
I woke up several nights in a row,
thinking about how I would write this review.

I wonder if that is how a writer feels when they are working on a book...
chewing on it, mentally, day & night &
feeling compelled to get it down onto paper.
I'll have to ask Michael Lee on her blog
Designs by Gollum
since she is a well published author.
I'm linking this recipe to her



as well as the

It is Lori's turn to host at her blog All that Splatters.



Most of us read not only for entertainment but
for education & awareness as well.
This book fulfilled all those requirements.
It stays with you in your mind & in your heart.
That, to me, is the sign of a good book!
I highly recommend this one.

Thank you, Jain, for hosting the Food For Thought bi-monthly meme.
It challenges me, stretches my mind & opens my eyes to new ways of looking
at things as well as
provides new recipes & cooking ideas.

Thanks also to Lori & Ann for Sat. Blog Showcase
& Michael Lee for Foodie Friday providing such access
to some wonderfully inspiring recipes, too!

Thank you, also, to everyone who visits the Gazebo House.
I am always honored & touched by the comments that you leave.


fondly,