Sarah's KeySarah's Key
Score Modern
What it's about
Paris, July 1942: ten-year-old Sarah is arrested with her family in the Vel' d'Hiv' roundup. Before the police take them, she locks her little brother in a cupboard, keeping the key, sure she'll be back in a few hours. In 2002, American journalist Julia Jarmond, writing about the roundup's anniversary, uncovers Sarah's story and its link to her own family.
Why it's worth reading
It spent 171 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists. It brought a shameful chapter of French history to millions of readers.
You'll love it if you liked
The Nightingale
All the Light We Cannot See
Lilac GirlsGood to know
It alternates between 1942 and 2002. It's heartbreaking.
By the numbers
- Readers44 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller61 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #181 of the 309 literary novels we rank
- #796 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #1485 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Dark
If you like this, read next
Schindler's List
The Bridge of San Luis Rey
The Golden Bough
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
Americanah
The Underground RailroadExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is Sarah's Key worth reading?
Yes. It spent 171 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists. It ranks #1,485 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 68.4 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Sarah's Key about?
Paris, July 1942: ten-year-old Sarah is arrested with her family in the Vel' d'Hiv' roundup. Before the police take them, she locks her little brother in a cupboard, keeping the key, sure she'll be back in a few hours. In 2002, American journalist Julia Jarmond, writing about the roundup's anniversary, uncovers Sarah's story and its link to her own family.
How long does it take to read Sarah's Key?
About 7 hours (294 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Sarah's Key?
If you liked it, try The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr or Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly.