Did anyone else have difficulty connecting with this book.

[Kay]

I feel for a reader to connect with a book, the reader must possess something relatable to the characters. Here, the characters were all people on a different path. Nerds? Recently, I read a book (Shadows of the Dead) that describes this as parallel or perpendicular. I love this! Parallels are those who follow society, the current trends, the latest fad. Perpendiculars are those who take their own path. Ones that think on tangents. Its not that they're being obnoxious they just think different and don't agree. I loved this book! I loved the title and how is simply describes the joy or knowledge the radio broadcasts bring and the so interesting way the French blind girl sees her world. Following the tragic history of WWII makes the ending not as happy as I hoped for. But I'm okay with that, but then again, I'm a perpendicular.

[Gary]

It took me a few dozen pages to connect but then I felt a strong connection to the characters and to their lives and the overall story. Great book!

[Kay]

The writing is a bit different, but in a short time I adjusted and like you, connected strongly. It's like watching a Shakespearean play. You can't under the language until suddenly you realize you can! This is one of the best books I've read.

[Jenn "JR"]

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?"


It's amazing how many people take this as an invitation to tell us how awesome they thought the book was to them. I read this as "Tell me about your negative reaction" not the opposite.

[Sher]

Jeremy wrote: "I really enjoyed this book up until the point where the two protagonists are brought together. The resolution left me thinking ... What was the point? But I still found it to be a good read overall."

I loved this book, not only because Anthony Doerr's writing was so beautiful but the two unique characters, gave us an insight into WWII, the suffering but also how so many people on the fringes were profoundly affected. I love historical fiction and in fact, that's why my just released book Dark Secrets was interesting to write.

[Sher]

Damian wrote: "Not at all. In fact one of the the best books I've read in 2014 in my honest opinion. That's now three books set during the Second World War that I've enjoyed, the others being 'The Book Thief' and..."

I agree Damian. I loved this book also. The characters were unique but believable and I am often drawn to stories which take place during the second World War. My just released novel, historical fiction. Dark Secrets may interest you. It covers a period from 1939 to the 70's and in three countries, the US, Paris, France and Sweden.

[Sher]

Helen wrote: "Jane wrote: "Loved this book. Even though it was long, I wished that it wouldn't end. Beautiful language and complex emotions. One of the best books that I've ever read."

I agree with Jane. It was..."

I also agree: beautiful language and interesting characters. Original theme.

[Jenn "JR"]

Sher wrote: "I also agree: beautiful language and interesting characters. Original theme.."

Curious - what did you think about the rape scene?

[Courtney]

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 saw all the good book ratings and was so excited to read this, but it was so disappointing to me. I found that it was really hard to connect with the characters and was not a fan of the back and forth between time and the characters. I found it difficult to really follow the story line well with so much back and forth.
I also thought that the book really built up the characters and expected them to meet up and continue the story, but I just kept waiting and waiting and nothing happened. I think the characters finally meeting is really where I decided that I did not like the book at all. I spent the majority of the time waiting for it to build up and get better... and it just never did. As mentioned by others as well, it seemed like the ending was rather rushed and just to wrap things up especially with how long the book went on before the two characters crossed paths.

I was just utterly disappointed in this book and am curious to see why other's rated the book so highly. It was definitely only a one star read for me.

[[deleted user]]

Yes. I tried reading this twice but just couldn't into it. I stopped each time and still don't know what's so great about it.

[WhispersInPages]

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?"

Yea, the writing style was a bit different. so, it took time for me to connect to the characters. But the story and concept was really touching.

[Carol]

I enjoyed it while I was reading it but felt very let down when it was over. What was the point, exactly? Don't be a Nazi? Don't go blind? I don't get it! When you sell your hero as a young radio genius, he'd better do something cool by the end of the book. All this guy did was ride around in a van spinning the dial. And that school of his was a joke. The Chocolate War had a more menacing school environment!

[Jim]

I expected more and different as well.

[Polly]

I understand the difficulty connecting with this book, but adjusting to the writing style is well worth it. One of the best books I have read (honestly) in my 66 years!!

[Kay]

I so agree! And, though sad, the ending fit within the context of the times. It's been more than a year since I read this book, but I still think about it.

[Mario]

Probably one of the best books I have read. The interplay of time and characters was perfect and the writing was excelllent.

[Jenn "JR"]

Mario wrote: "Probably one of the best books I have read. The interplay of time and characters was perfect and the writing was excelllent."

The topic is "how many people LOVED this book beyond reason" - if you are so insecure in your opinion of the book that you have to try to validate your poor taste by telling us it was awesome -- that's just pathetic. Go find a discussion that is PRO-"all the light" - which sucks.

[Mario]

I gave the book 5 stars as did many but some people couldn't follow it, hated it or put it down. It did win a Pulitzer Prize so go figure. Thanks comment 320 for being so insightful about those people who enjoyed the book. Haters are always going to hate.

[Jenn "JR"]

Mario wrote: "I gave the book 5 stars as did many but some people couldn't follow it, hated it or put it down. It did win a Pulitzer Prize so go figure. Thanks comment 320 for being so insightful about those peo..."

You're in the wrong place, Mario. Go gush with people who enjoyed the book's florid descriptions, weak plot and flat characters.

[Andrew]

I had trouble with it at first. The extremely short chapters were initially off-putting. But, once I got into the rhythm of it as I read further, it became gripping. Several things set it apart from other works of World War II historical fiction. There are no "heroes" in the book. None of the characters lives are any better by the end, years later. I did like the follow up, rarely seen in a historical fiction novel. The survivors are scarred by the war, showing even civilians suffer from PTSD. Yet, I think it is is good portrayal of ordinary people cast into the maelstrom of war. What would the reader do given a similar situation?