Questions About About Grace

by Anthony Doerr (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (5)

What does the ending mean?

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I found About Grace the most depressing book I have ever read. So disappointing as I really enjoyed All The Light We Cannot See. Doerr's descriptive prose was incredible - if you happen to be a scientist and understood what he was talking about. It was far too deep for my taste and did not move the story along at a steady pace. Many times I decided to give up. David Winkler irritated me beyond words - anyone agree?

Annamirabilis Like you I loved All the Light, but found About Grace deeply depressing. Despite myself I kept reading, finding it horribly fascinating. Hardly anythi…moreLike you I loved All the Light, but found About Grace deeply depressing. Despite myself I kept reading, finding it horribly fascinating. Hardly anything nice happens to Winkler and his lack of objectivity about how awful his life is was for me the weakest aspect of the book. There is some beautiful writing but I got a bit sick of eulogies about the elemental simplicity of water, snowflakes etc. They certainly contributed nothing to the story or the pace of the book. (less)

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I was confused as the title on the book does not reflect the proper name of "Grace". It is titled "about grace". I thought the book was perhaps about applying the use of grace in forgiveness to ourselves for misdeeds in our past, or applying grace to others for their past misdeeds, not the proper name of his daughter......did I read too much into the story? :-)

Aaron Milavec Good observation. I think that the author wanted it both ways but, more forcefully, "about grace." My review gets at this:

All in all, Doerr’s characte…moreGood observation. I think that the author wanted it both ways but, more forcefully, "about grace." My review gets at this:

All in all, Doerr’s characters act irrationally; yet, his narrative makes clear that Winkler and Sandy were doing the best that could be expected under the circumstances. As a result, the reader comes to slowly discover a measure of compassion for Winkler and Sandy. As for myself, I also learned a greater measure of compassion for myself in those times when I too acted impulsively and irrationally. Doerr also enabled me to understand how the beauty of the natural world and ugliness of tough life circumstances can bring flawed persons (including myself) to make awkward choices that bring undeserved heartbreak and amazing grace mixed up in their wake. (less)

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Hics I think the book answers this at some point...the butcher talks about how David can get a glimpse of the future but not to see it passively; it allows…moreI think the book answers this at some point...the butcher talks about how David can get a glimpse of the future but not to see it passively; it allows him to take an active role in what happens and change the outcome (e.g. how he saves Naaliyah from drowning) :) I know this is probably like 4 years late but if you're still wondering that's my take on it :DDD(less)

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If I read and loved All The Light We Cannot See, how will I feel about this one? I see mixed reviews below....