All The Light We Cannot See Book Discussion

[Abby]

This week's SLC book discussion is for All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr!

The book centers around Marie-Laure, a blind French girl and a young German boy whose stories intersect during WWII in the walled citadel of Saint-Malo. The novel took ten years to write, was short listed for the National Book Award and won the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

How did you enjoy the book? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

[[deleted user]]

I am on hold for "All The Light We Cannot" see but I did read Anthony Doerr's book "Four Seasons in Rome." Well-written book with great sense of people and places; like a voyage. Four Seasons in Rome: On Twins, Insomnia, and the Biggest Funeral in the History of the World

[Abby]

So glad you are going to read the book! I thoroughly enjoyed it. I like books that have a well developed sense of time and place and I think this book really has that. You'll have to let us know how it compares to his other work.

[Karen]

This is the only story I know that looks at WWII through the eyes of young people living through the build-up to war and during enemy occupation. The story delves into the affects of the war on their lives and those around them. It paints a vivid picture of the worlds these children live in. What the author does best is always coming back to the emotions and relationships that bind people together and propel us to make the decisions we make.
I understood why he alternated chapters between the perspectives of Marie-Laure and Werner, but found the jumping forward and back in time sometimes confusing. I’m not sure what this added to the story.
Can someone answer this for me - where is the jewel?

[Hari]

I'm on hold for this book and haven't read any of his other books. I know people who have enjoyed reading his books so I'm looking forward to it!

[Abby]

Karen wrote: "This is the only story I know that looks at WWII through the eyes of young people living through the build-up to war and during enemy occupation. The story delves into the affects of the war on th..."

I too was confused at times by the jumping forward and back in time. Perhaps it was done to add another level of suspense to the story.

I think the diamond is in the grotto, at least that's what I get from the Chapter Sea of Flames on pg 520. Where do you think the jewel ended up?

[Dena]

I'll admit I haven't gotten very far into the book, it has been waiting patiently for me! But, I will definitely finish it before the author visits UA in the fall!

[Kalyn]

I haven't read the book yet, but after reading everyone's comments I'm putting it on hold today. Well-researched and well-written historical fiction is my favorite way to learn history!

[Caitlin]

Usually I race through books, but I had to slow down and enjoy the way that Doerr describes his characters' worlds. His writing really brought home how deeply the war affected civilians, whether they were close to active battles or not - something that I feel doesn't show up very often in WWII stories written by Americans.

Also, apparently Doerr was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio! So cool that we have a Buckeye State Pulitzer prize-winner!

[Abby]

Dena wrote: "I'll admit I haven't gotten very far into the book, it has been waiting patiently for me! But, I will definitely finish it before the author visits UA in the fall!"

Absolutely! I think once you get into it you won't be able to put it down, and of course having him come to Upper Arlington only makes the book that much more enticing :)

[Karen]

Abby wrote: "Karen wrote: "This is the only story I know that looks at WWII through the eyes of young people living through the build-up to war and during enemy occupation. The story delves into the affects of..."

Someone else who read the book asked me this a few months after I had finished reading the book. I realized for the first time that I didn't really care about the diamond because I had become so invested in the fates of the characters. I thought it was interesting that the author also made very little mention of it.