All the Light We Cannot See
discussion
Did anyone else have difficulty connecting with this book.
Thanks, Susan. Maybe I will pass up the Audio version. It might spoil my good impression of ATLWCS., the book. Audio books have to be read by accomplished actors to give justice to the book.
I am having trouble figuring out if this book leans more towards the theme of overcoming hardships or relationships. Could someone please tell me which theme coincides with the book more?
I think over coming hardships because the hardships include relationships.
Susan wrote: "This book has great ratings, but I could never get involved with it. And it went on for soooo long. Did anyone else have a negative reaction to this?"
Just look at the all the reviews that are 1, 2, or 3 stars. I gave it 3 stars because of the quality of the prose and, because I listened to it, the reading. As I said, "I wonder whether I would have finished it" were it not for the reader.
Just look at the all the reviews that are 1, 2, or 3 stars. I gave it 3 stars because of the quality of the prose and, because I listened to it, the reading. As I said, "I wonder whether I would have finished it" were it not for the reader.
Read this book back in November of 2015 and was surprised at how little it did for me. Lots of 5* ratings and great reviews and I had expected a better book. The story was good but not great for me. And I agree that some facts were wrong and I just felt flat after reading it. Again it was a good book but not great to me, but everyone is different as are tastes.
Blaine wrote: "Read this book back in November of 2015 and was surprised at how little it did for me. Lots of 5* ratings and great reviews and I had expected a better book. The story was good but not great for me..."EXACTLY!!
While following this thread for some time, I haven't contributed since August. Additional thoughts and observations about this book from the extreme polarity in readers opinion s include:
Many of the negative or less favorable comments regarding this book originate from those who 'listened' to the book on Audible or similar audio. Part of the one segment that I listened to did not contribute anything to the enjoyment of this story. This one's a reader .
One underlying theme appears to me that many readers/listeners are confusing storytelling with the story. What makes this book 'work' and raises it several levels is that the methods the author Doerr uses to relate an otherwise average story. I won't go over everything I said before (see posts 138 and 147-8 if interested) other than to say there are several very unusual techniques and style usages that make this something special.
I too don't care for the short chapters, but will repeat what this is how scripts/screenplays are constructed at one point in the creative cycle. Doerr uses this in an unusual way. (See earlier posts if interested)
A comment that I see in some post in this thread and has popped up elsewhere as a generic comment about both this book and others regards historical/factual inaccuracies. Get over it. It is called Fiction for a reason.
My other half loves it, I struggled but got along in the end. I don't know even months after reading it how I feel about the ending.
For the most part I liked it but did not find it the "great book" that it was advertised as. I kept feeling like something was missing either with the characters/story line. The best part is that I was encouraged to read further about Saint Malo. Like Susan...it was an ok read and have to admit I sort of skimmed through the end just to get there.
Susan wrote: "This book has great ratings, but I could never get involved with it. And it went on for soooo long. Did anyone else have a negative reaction to this?"I had the same reaction Susan.
I struggled to finish it. I found it plodding and I didn't connect with any of the characters.
I cannot say I liked this book at all!
Susan wrote: "This book has great ratings, but I could never get involved with it. And it went on for soooo long. Did anyone else have a negative reaction to this?"my feeling exactly
Pearl wrote: "Susan, you are not alone. I too did not like the book and cannot find a reason for all the raves over the book. Read it for a book club or I would not have finished it. I thought the book would nev..."I could not finish this book. I found it very boring. I don't understand the rave reviews.
Perhaps this review will help. I thought it was a masterpiece. https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/29/bo...
Thanks for posting that but unfortunately I rarely agree with NY Times book reviews. The book just did not tickle my fancy.
I shared it because it gives a lot of insight into the book. Here is a different viewpoint. https://newrepublic.com/article/12076...
This is one of those books that you either like or don't like, and, just like posting political opinions on Facebook, no one is going to change anyone else's mind.
Thank you Susan.
Both my wife and I read it, and both of us found it extremely slow moving.
I had a tonne of issues with this book unfortunately. It was beautifully written but to a point where it seemed as if the author's primary aim was receiving literary accolades. The main characters were rather bland and too good to be true. I wasn't a fan of the Macguffin (The Sea of Flames) nor the metaphors it was trying to represent. That tonal didn't work for me. Then of course the book is filled with stereotypes and caricatures. The flowery language detracts from the fact that there isn't much depth to be found in the book and I really didn't like the heavy-handed sentimentality especially toward the end. It isn't a bad book, I just found it highly overrated and having a lot of missed potential. I gave it 2.5 stars but rounded it up to 3.
It wasn't a read that got me right away, but I kept with it and enjoyed. Not a fast hook for me.
susan, I just read your dissapointment in the book and I concur. With all the great reviews, i thought it would be the next Sophies Choice. Cutting back and forth to different characters after only a few pages per chapter felt gimmicky to me. i think readers liked it because it appeals to our inattentive minds. i would have preferref a more linear thread with longer chapters which i could really sink into. Also, while the writing was light, lovely and complex, it was overdone. Too many 'light' references.... felt over dramatic and unnecessary. While i was left with an overall twinge of sadness about the horrors of war, i didnt really know what it was about...
Hi Susan, I agree it was on best seller lists and favorable reviews but I was disappointed by the book.
I also had a difficult time connecting with this book. I actually started reading it once before, but, put it down after three chapters. My friend read it and raved about it, so, I figured I'd give it another chance. All I wanted was for it to be over. It wasn't HORRIBLE, but, I just wasn't involved. I think it was just all over the place. He tried to fit too much into one book.
The ONE thing that really stood out was the rape scene with his sister. WHAT?! WHY? Why did he add that? We hardly read about her, and all of a sudden she's getting raped? I think he wanted to add all these tragedies from the war... but, the pieces just didn't fit.
I did not care for this book at all. I did manage to finish it but struggled to do so. I could never connect with the plot (which I found to be extremely convoluted) or the characters. I wonder if the liking for this book depends on how old you are. Maybe those of us who are children of fathers who fought in the war have a harder time relating to the book, than people who are further removed from it.
Okay, I realize I am few years late on this thread but since you all have read it could someone please tell me what happens? I always finish books, but I just can't muster one more page of this book. And I usually love WW2 books as I have read so many. This one is just so very boring. My very first historical fiction that I didn't like.....
Cynthia wrote: "Okay, I realize I am few years late on this thread but since you all have read it could someone please tell me what happens? I always finish books, but I just can't muster one more page of this boo..."I mean, I think I'd have to know where you left off to tell you how it finished haha. Also, I think this book is WAY more fiction than it is historical :( The myth of that stone or whatever was definitely a bigger player in the book.
Noelle wrote: "I also had a difficult time connecting with this book. I actually started reading it once before, but, put it down after three chapters. My friend read it and raved about it, so, I figured I'd give..."I so agree! The rape scene seemed gratuitous and unnecessary, and the stuff with the magical diamond a bit contrived. There was some lovely writing in this book, and some vivid characters, but it did not quite hang together for me.
I agree with Jeremy, Cameron, Pearl and Paul.....so glad to finally read reviews of "All the Light We Cannot See," that are similar to my interpretation. The overall book was interesting, but the end was disappointing and left me with so many unanswered questions.....very vague. I never could understand why so many people gave this book raving reviews.
Lillian wrote: "Yeah, I still don't know whether Werner had the key or the jewel or both, and if he did have the jewel, how he knew to throw it away (because he didn't have the jewel when he died, obviously)."Ruby wrote: "I struggled through it too somewhat and I love WWII historical novels. I found the history part interesting and liked the characters well enough, just thought the writing dragged. I knew where it w..."
The whole key and jewel ending was confusing; left me dangling.
I have posted previously about my disappointment with this book. I have the same feeling with the book The Women of the Castle.
Connie wrote: "Perhaps this review will help. I thought it was a masterpiece. https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/29/bo..."
I read the NYT review, but it didn't enlighten any more than the book did; just repeated what was obvious.
Connie wrote: "I shared it because it gives a lot of insight into the book. Here is a different viewpoint. https://newrepublic.com/article/12076..."
I read the New Republic review of "All the Light...See," and it is well written and very insightful.
Cynthia wrote: "Okay, I realize I am few years late on this thread but since you all have read it could someone please tell me what happens? I always finish books, but I just can't muster one more page of this boo..."This contains spoilers:
That's part of the problem. I know I read the book to the very end a couple of years ago but could not tell you now how it ended (other than a vague memory that the girl survived the war and lived until old age and the boy did not--and even that much I had to confirm online.) The plot is so contrived that I just lost interest in the characters and consequently the book left no mark on my brain. At least you tried to finish it!
I liked the book, it just took me forever to read. Possibly because it was a hard transition from a fluffy YA book to this, but it was a good read.
The best book I've read in yeeeearrrs. I literally could not put it down.
A fascinating look into another era, into another culture, from the perspective of a physically challenged young girl in war-torn, WWII France, and how she survives it and how her dreams survive. Nice character development. Such a change from the pattern of stories that are churned out these days--so very not the run-of-the-mill! That's, one of many reasons, why I really enjoyed it.
I found this unbelievably annoying. The chapter lengths were far too short; just as I was getting into the one characters story I was being dragged back to the others. I understand he was trying to tell a simultaneous story but there are better ways of doing it. I did though find the final 3rd interesting though had I not been reading it as a book club read i would never have known this as id have binned it long before then.
I liked that this was a WW2 story told from perspectives that we normally don't hear from. I loved the beginning but from the point they met up with each other onwards, it lost me. But overall I did enjoy it
this was one of the best reads of this year for me!
Dorothy wrote: "I too loved this book. The view of WWII is very different from the norm and the author does a fantastic job describing the thoughts of the blind girl. I found it a compelling and passionate read."
A novel has to grab the reader from the first paragraph, this one doesn't. I lost interest very quickly. I gave up after the second chapter.
I read the entire book, I expected more from a popular book and best seller.
I too found it a bit hard to follow at times, but the characters and their trials during the war was riveting to me. Did "enjoy" the read. Had friends who read it also and didn't like it. Sometimes the book just has to connect .....
Judy thank you for your reply! I now don't really care what happens in the end😬😂
Susan wrote: "This book has great ratings, but I could never get involved with it. And it went on for soooo long. Did anyone else have a negative reaction to this?"I can't say I had a negative reaction but, perhaps, perplexed. Everyone I know rated it really highly. I liked it a lot but, didn't connect as deeply and I thought I would have given the consistent rave reviews.
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I am amazed to see TBT and ATLWCS mentioned together, because the first is one of my all time favorites, both as a book, and was enriched by the audio version, and I disliked ATLWCS. I listened to the audio of it, and I only finished it because I was listening to the audio. When you get bored with a book and you're listening to it, you can just let it ramble on until your mind connects again. I would never have finished the book.