All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

A very interesting, beautifully written book about a blind French girl and young German lad during WW2, he appears to be under the influence of Hitler youth. Set mainly in St Malo. Accurate historical context but fictional story. Very relevant currently given the war in Ukraine. It is a long book (500 pages +) but worth persisting.

I absolutely love historical fiction and this book is just phenomenal. What I would give to go back in time and read this book for the first time. Its beautifully written, the way the characters are woven together is breathtaking. After reading this book I had to take a few days to soak in all the beauty. I recommend this book to all my friends! Theres a reason is won the pulitzer!

This book was so beautiful and haunting. I fell in love with so many of the characters, and loved how their lives were weaved together. Knowing the time period this was set in, I knew the ending would hurt. And it did, though I didn't shed as many tears as I expected.The writing was incredible, the descriptions so vivid. It did a superb job of showing the reader how the characters felt through their actions, rather than telling. Whilst the short chapters (on average 1.5 pages) helped to make this read a little quicker, it was still quite a slow book. I really enjoyed being able to savour it and get to know the characters, however there were some points where it felt a little too dense and slow.

By far one of the best novels I've ever read. Doerr does an incredible job juxtaposing the storylines of a German genius-soldier and a brilliant blind girl. There were both heartwarming and heartbreaking moments in the book, and the structure was unlike one I've ever seen, with some chapters spanning pages and others only being one or two pages long. This book is not like your typical WWII story; it delves into identity, family, free will, and endurance. I was instantly attached to most of the characters in the book, and the multiple points of view make it all that more immersive. I enjoyed Marie-Laure's story most of all; though she is incapable of seeing anything, she still "sees" and uses the skills she's adapted to to her advantage. I highly recommend this book ... MoreBy far one of the best novels I've ever read. Doerr does an incredible job juxtaposing the storylines of a German genius-soldier and a brilliant blind girl. There were both heartwarming and heartbreaking moments in the book, and the structure was unlike one I've ever seen, with some chapters spanning pages and others only being one or two pages long. This book is not like your typical WWII story; it delves into identity, family, free will, and endurance. I was instantly attached to most of the characters in the book, and the multiple points of view make it all that more immersive. I enjoyed Marie-Laure's story most of all; though she is incapable of seeing anything, she still "sees" and uses the skills she's adapted to to her advantage. I highly recommend this book to someone wanting to experience an emotional roller coaster. This book has that as well as a bit of everything else: history, fantasy, romance. It has moments that will make you smile and moments that will make you cry; moments that will make you close the book and moments that will keep you up at night, reading page after page. Arguably best of all, it does what many novels don't: it gives a clear ending for every character.

A major literary achievement worthy of a close read and a place on your bookshelf.

Now that this book is a few years old, I can finally get a copy for myself! It was a monster hit when it came out and the lines at the library were long and the book cost a fortune to buy. It's a terrific, complicated story that takes place during WWII and follows a young blind girl as she and her father flee their ancient European city as it is bombed by the Allies. Extremely detailed and carfully written, it certainly deserved all the awards it received. Not a fun beach read! Spend some time with it.

Amazing read history rolled up with war and love.

I purchased this book some years ago . Never got around to reading it . I have finally finished .. and I loved it . Ending a little strange . I was hoping for more of a romance between the characters . But a very different slant which was much better .

Excellent Read

This would have to be one of my favourites.It gives more of a personal insight into the main characters lives instead of just being another war novel.You have a sense of really knowing and empathising with the main characters. The imagery is excellent. It was extremely hard to put down, but at times I had to walk away from it.From start to finsh it holds you in thrall.

Fiction as it can be.

The folk who study such things inform anyone interested that the range of light perceived by humans is a small fraction of the spectrum of light which actually spans. The light we cannot see inhabits the world giving it distinction depth and definitions beyond the distraction our limited vision offers. This wider spectrum it seems can only be seen when one closes one's eyes and by allowing one to remember the light that infuses one's being with the same intensity it illuminates all that is.Marie-Laure LeBlanc lives in Paris with her father who is principal locksmith for the National Museum of Natural History. Having lost her sight at age six due to a congenital defect she learns to navigate her neighborhood from a model carved by her father. She is smart brave and ... MoreThe folk who study such things inform anyone interested that the range of light perceived by humans is a small fraction of the spectrum of light which actually spans. The light we cannot see inhabits the world giving it distinction depth and definitions beyond the distraction our limited vision offers. This wider spectrum it seems can only be seen when one closes one's eyes and by allowing one to remember the light that infuses one's being with the same intensity it illuminates all that is.Marie-Laure LeBlanc lives in Paris with her father who is principal locksmith for the National Museum of Natural History. Having lost her sight at age six due to a congenital defect she learns to navigate her neighborhood from a model carved by her father. She is smart brave and willing to explore what is around her. Her blindness has allowed her vision to be of breadth and depth beyond her environs.Werner Pfenning is an orphan living in Zollverein a coal mining complex just outside Essen Germany. There he witnesses the brutal results of inflation joblessness and poverty brought about as the results of the Marshall Plan after WWI. With his sister Jutta he learns to navigate life at Children's House the orphanage in which they reside. He learns early that electricity as it pertains to radio waves is as natural to him as breathing ñ he has the ability to 'see' the elections as they travel through the conductors transponders and wires leading to the production of sound.The year is 1934; both of these youngsters will come of age in a time of global conflict the breadth of which will change the course of history. As the years pass their once peaceful inclusive country spirals into chaos and irrationality as war draws near and these two disparate people are drawn toward each other. When they finally meet it seems that all the light that is was waiting that moment to shine its brightest.Anthony Doerr takes a moment in history a rare gem two people with huge obstacles and knowledge of communication to weave a story that is enthralling enchanting and deeply moving. This book is literature at its best using fiction to speak truths hidden by facts; it leads the reader to see familiar history through a lens that newly directed. In placing the book at a time when the world was learning about 'connectivity' and on the cusp of destroying itself the author heightens the tension and magnifies the power of seeing what exists beneath what is apparent. War is destructive yet it cannot annihilate hope. Evil can be powerful but it can be defeated by those willing to resist its domination and allure. Gems are made valuable by those who seek them but they remain nothing more than stones often found in a creek.This is a book worth re-reading. By its end the reader has all the information about the characters needed to want them never leave. By the time for goodbyes the parting is too soon in arriving. The world has changed having become much smaller by the ability to 'visit' others across the world instantly. The world has remained unchanged its people waiting to be lit by all the light we cannot see.

Genuinely the best book I have read

This is, hands down, my favourite book, and I read a LOT of books. There is a reason it is on the top book charts since it was published. When we talk about "can't put books down", this is it. The protagonist is lovely, and the whole book is full of joy. It opens up a whole world, and describes everything so accurately. I don't want to give anything away, but I do beg you to buy it because it is THAT GOOD and I genuinely don't want anyone to miss out!!

buy it, read it, share it

This book was published in 2014. There are plenty of reviews elsewhere. This was one of the New York Times '10 Best Books' 2014, and a National Book Award finalist. If that does not settle things for you, you are probably illiterate. Anthony Doerr is one of the better authors you can follow, for certain ... so many authors write with the idea of having their books turned into films that there is very little real literature these days. - Daniel O'Donnell in Portland OR