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This book was so gorgeous.
I'm not sure where to begin to describe it. It was so beautiful, with a sort of sorrowful, aching beauty. It winds slowly back and forth, between the years leading up to WWII and the years during the war, pacing the distance between two children growing up in very different worlds. Marie-Laure is the beloved daughter of a master locksmith in Paris, a man who fills her sightless world with stories, with delicate puzzles and kindness. Werner is an orphan in a bleak minin ...more
I'm not sure where to begin to describe it. It was so beautiful, with a sort of sorrowful, aching beauty. It winds slowly back and forth, between the years leading up to WWII and the years during the war, pacing the distance between two children growing up in very different worlds. Marie-Laure is the beloved daughter of a master locksmith in Paris, a man who fills her sightless world with stories, with delicate puzzles and kindness. Werner is an orphan in a bleak minin ...more
Enjoyable, despite the many depressing things that happen to the main characters, but not as extraordinary as some readers imply. I have read many books about WWII and believe some of them were far more memorable. While I did not object to the three different points of view, I felt the very short chapters were at times jerky and prevented one from fully engaging with the characters. It was confusing bouncing back and forth between time frames. I felt that bringing the characters together was mor
...more
I mentioned in an earlier update, that once a few of my friends had seen that I had started reading this, they commented on what a lovely book it was. I could not agree more. I fell in love with the way he writes within 15 pages. He made me feel, either liking, or disliking characters, as I should have. I have a feeling that this is a book that I will reflect back on quite often. It was a very memorable experience, perhaps even one that will be worthy of a reread at some point. I really loved Ma
...more
Definitely worth the read. It's got some clumsy moments (the structure is episodic and it goes back and forth in time a lot, and there are moments where that works and moments where it gets a little labored), but it's still really gripping.
I love how the book seems to have a visual theme... the descriptions of life in the 1940s are all really rich. It feels like France is always described in shades of blue and green and Germany was gray. I am sure they will make a movie of the book, and if I wer ...more
I love how the book seems to have a visual theme... the descriptions of life in the 1940s are all really rich. It feels like France is always described in shades of blue and green and Germany was gray. I am sure they will make a movie of the book, and if I wer ...more
“How does the brain, which lives without a spark of light, build for us a world full of light?”
Told in alternating chapters by Marie Laure, a blind girl in France, and Werner, an orphan in Germany, the reader sees WWII as it advances into their lives and changes them forever. I've read a lot of books about war and how it affects people, but this is probably the best one I've read. It was also a stark reminder that WWII still resonates in the lives of those who survived it and no one in Europe re ...more
Told in alternating chapters by Marie Laure, a blind girl in France, and Werner, an orphan in Germany, the reader sees WWII as it advances into their lives and changes them forever. I've read a lot of books about war and how it affects people, but this is probably the best one I've read. It was also a stark reminder that WWII still resonates in the lives of those who survived it and no one in Europe re ...more
I dunno, folks.
The writing is rich. I love the texture and flavor.
The mystery is unexpected and driving.
But I am done with time jumps. Especially jumps of months. Extremely difficult to track.
And. I. Am. Tired. Of. Sympathetic. Nazis.
Tired.
Sick.
Leave ‘em.
The writing is rich. I love the texture and flavor.
The mystery is unexpected and driving.
But I am done with time jumps. Especially jumps of months. Extremely difficult to track.
And. I. Am. Tired. Of. Sympathetic. Nazis.
Tired.
Sick.
Leave ‘em.
Simple as this. Beautifully written, interesting story. I did have a hard time getting into the book initially, but once I got through the first 20 pages I only put it down because my infant forced me to. If you enjoy WWII reads, I recommend this one.
Jul 22, 2014
Jessi
marked it as to-read
Nov 19, 2014
Michelle
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Dec 06, 2014
Tara
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Feb 17, 2015
Laurie
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Jun 11, 2015
Heidi
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Jul 01, 2015
Lainey
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Dec 22, 2018
Flynn
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Mar 20, 2022
Sarah
marked it as to-read
Feb 19, 2024
Magda
marked it as to-read
