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Exclusive interview with Tatiana de Rosnay

Casinoweb had the privilege of interviewing a star of French writing, Tatiana de Rosnay. Her latest novel “Sarah's Key” sold 700,000 copies ( and this is only the start, editor's note) and is distributed in 28 countries.

Casinoweb: Hello Tatiana and thank you for responding favourably to our request for an interview. Tell us about your book “Sarah's Key”.

Tatiana de Rosnay: In 1942, in Paris, ten year old Sarah and her family are part of the many jews who were  victims of the Vel d'Hiv raid. In 2002, Julia , an American journalist married to a frenchman, is asked by her editor in chief to cover the commemoration of the raid. While leading her enquiry to write her article, Julia will uncover the dark secret which links Sarah to her step family.

Casinoweb: How do you explain the public's interest in your book?

Tatiana de Rosnay: I'm lucky to have excellent editors, Heloise d'Ormesson and Gilles Cohen-Solal. Since the beginning they have mobilised distributors and bookstores, and there has been extraordinary word of mouth about my novel.

Casinoweb: It's an international success. What characteristics of this novel cause it to be appreciated by everyone?

Tatiana de Rosnay: I get the impression that my readers were touched by Sarah's situation and by Julia's determination to know the truth. Also, a lot of foreign readers did n't know the terrible story of the Vel d'Hiv.

Casinoweb: What makes one decide after several novels dealing more with suspense to write a story linked to the Shoah?

Tatiana de Rosnay: Because I only learnt recently about the organisation of this raid, the exact role of the French police and the destiny of the 4000 Vel d'Hiv children, most of whom were french as they were born in France. I am part of the generation of French people born in the 60s and for whom the Vel d'Hiv raid wasn't in the school programme like it is now in third and first classes. Ididn't write this novel to judge my country but to express the great emotion I felt. I had the priviledge of meeting several survivors of this raid and those are moments I'll never forget.

Casinoweb: The film rights have been sold. Do you have an idea of the date of the film's opening?

Tatiana de Rosnay: The film should be filmed this summer if all goes well, it will be screened in 2010 or 2011.

Casinoweb: What type of relationship do you have with your readers?

Tatiana de Rosnay: My relationship with my readers is a very important part of my life as a writer. I correspond with them on MSN, Facebook, Myspace and through my website (www.tatianaderosnay.com). And I try to reply to all my emails personally! I also like to meet them at book signings and book fairs.

Casinoweb: Is it difficult after such a success to start writing again?

Tatiana de Rosnay: No because I wrote “Sarah's Key” between 2002 and 2003 and I published two books in 2005 and 2006, (Spirals and Moka) while waiting to find a publisher for Sarah, which was long and difficult! I started to write Boomerang (which will be published in April 2009 by EHO) in August 2006, long before the hurricane of Sarah. At the moment I'm writing a new novel set in the 19th century  in Paris.

Casinoweb: Why are you re-publishing your earlier novels with your new editor?

Tatiana de Rosnay: Most of my older novels were out of stock, I'm very happy that they are getting a new life! They will be re-published by Livre de Poche ( in the case of Moka, The Heart of Another and Spirals). Heloise d'Ormesson published The memory of the Walls in 2008 and will publish The Neighbour in 2010. J'ai Lu will publish my first novel The Show Apartment in 2010.

Casinoweb: We had the pleasure of interviewing the writer Thierry Cohen: You are one of the writers who gave him the desire to write. What are your impressions of this?

Tatiana de Rosnay: Thierry Cohen is a popular quality author who I admire.More over he is generous and charming. I think that his second novel “I will do it for you”, which is launched in 2009 by Flammarion, will be a huge success.

Casinoweb: Let's talk about casinos. Do you often go to casinos?

Tatiana de Rosnay: I must admit that I don't but I have gone to them with a certain sense of curiosity and enjoyment. It's a fascinating world. One of my favourite novels is “Twenty four hours in the life of a woman” by Stefan Zweig, in which the reader follows the passion of a young widow for a gambler. I loved the James Bond film “Casino Royal” with its poker scenes, it made me want to learn how to play!

Casinoweb: What do you think of the guide to actual casinos and virtual casinos http://uk.casinoweb.org/ ?

Tatiana de Rosnay It's well done, a good site easy to access, it's a pleasure to surf it. I might allow myself to be tempted by your virtual poker! And I also think it's great that you interview writers, a good initiative.

Casinoweb: The interview is almost over now. Do you have a scoop for Casinoweb.org?

Tatiana de Rosnay: Yes! My new novel “Boomerang” is a novel about love and it's the first time in my life that I write about love. My hero is called Antoine and at the begining of the book everything is going badly in his life: his teenagers, his job, his ex-wife, his father...And then he meets Angele. Tall, brunette, black Perfecto and Harley Davidson, Angel has a profession unlike others...In order to learn more go to my site www.tatianaderosnay.com    

Casinoweb: Thank you Tatiana for granting us this interview. The Casinoweb team wishes you an excellent 2009 and much more success.

Tatiana de Rosnay: Thanks you too and maybe the next time that we meet I will have become, thanks to you, the queen of poker!

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