All the Light We Cannot See

by Anthony Doerr

Book Overview

*NOW A NETFLIX LIMITED SERIES--from producer and director Shawn Levy (Stranger Things) starring Mark Ruffalo, Hugh Laurie, and newcomer Aria Mia Loberti*

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award finalist, the beloved instant New York Times bestseller and New York Times Book Review Top 10 Book about a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1476746583
• ISBN13: 9781476746586
• Release Date: January 2014
• Publisher: Scribner Book Company
• Length: 544 Pages
• Weight: 1.44 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.7" x 6.4" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

4 stars

ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE by Anthony Doerr After sitting on my TBR shelf for a couple years, I finally got around to reading this popular and highly recommended book. What can I say that hasn’t been said before? I echo so many other reviews stating how wonderful yet heartbreaking this story is. From the beautifully written prose and vivid imagery, to the characters who are well drawn and believable. I was transported to Paris, then Saint Malo, blindly navigating the streets with Marie-Laure, feeling the helplessness and hopelessness of the war and the fruitless waiting for news. Then to Germany where orphans, Werner and his sister Jutta, are faced with difficult circumstances, forced to grow up too fast, swept up in a war they don’t agree with. While this is historical fiction, there’s an element of fantasy thrown in with the magical origins of the Sea of Flames diamond. You are left wondering if the lore is true, if it holds any power or if it is just a pretty rock. I appreciated the short chapters and didn’t mind too much when the story started to drag midway. Overall, a good story that’s worth reading. Note: Those who haven’t read this book (like my Husband) say the Netflix series was great, but those who have read the book have less than positive reviews. I do plan to watch the series soon and will share my thoughts eventually. Rating: 4/5 ⭐️

A Wonderful Story

I read this book several years ago, and remember loving it. It's a great story that is beautifully told and written.

Enlightening

This book is so good and believable. It takes you on a journey which comes to life and has you understand the strength and resealance of people who are going through the worst of times and are able to remain humbled and forgiving. I highly recommend this book.

All you young people ought to read this if you think your life is hard....

Well if you didn't already think war is hell, read this book...and also if you think war is never necessary. What a totally realistic look at huma ity at its worse and its best. A page turner to the end. I only hope the film version is able to translate because I know so many young people today do not read.

Superb book

I have read many books over the years and only a handful stand out as truly remarkable. This is one of them. It's easy to see why it was so highly praised and awarded and it will remain a classic for many years. Lovers of historical fiction will not be able to put it down. The characters are real and believable. The story pulls you in and doesn't let you go until the very last page. Don't delay another day, read this book now. It will live inside you long after the last page has been turned.

France world war ll

An Excellant read from start to finish. The story telling and writing is like none I have ever read. Its Brilliant and heartfelt, telling the tale of two main characters and what they lived through and experience during the War. It touches your heart, it makes you think about the fate of life and love and loss. How the human spirit goes on ..and lives....even through the terrible horrors of war. It is Beautiful and daring and heartbreaking and joyful. Its thrilling and suspenseful and never confusing about the lives of Werner and Marie, whom seem to meet by pure fate...of one being there at the right time and the right moment to make all the difference in one persons life. Also like a redemption for Werner who couldn't help the young cadet who was his best friend in Hiltlers forced youth camp...I truly can't say enough about the depth of this story and how it all plays together till the very end. A compelling and Brilliant read !! Truly a MAGNIFICENT book !!!

Outstanding Book!

I absolutely loved this book. The story was very different than the others I have read lately which made it refreshing. It included history plus interesting characters and story line. I would definitely recommend it.

a true must read

wasn't ready for the ending; the vocabulary was difficult for me as a non-native speaker. Absolutely loved the book!

Grabs you from the start!

This book grabbed me from the start and I could hardly put it down! Lots of depth to the characters too. It's one of only a handful of books that I would gladly read again.

Wonderfully told story.

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, and many other awards. Well worth the time.

Good read

I bought the book on a recommendation from my friend. I enjoyed the book but it would not be my first recommendation to anyone else. It's an easy read, sometimes hard to follow since the story skips from past to present then back. I do love that the chapters are short so I can do a little reading here and there. The story was different from the normal ww2 novel which was the only reason I was able to get into it. I liked the book overall, but would not be my first pick.

Oh the imagery!

“All the Light We Cannot See” goes down as one of the best books I have ever read. The scenes the writer paints through the written word are amazingly real life. I felt as though I was present throughout the book. I recommend this book to everyone I encounter. It is right there with “Beneath a Scarlet Sky” and “The Nightingale.” A must read, in my opinion!

A basic summary

Anthony Doerr’s All the Light We Cannot See tells the story of two teenagers during World War II (WWII), one a blind girl in Nazi-occupied France, the other a German orphan boy pressed into service by the Nazi army.

Made me cry, almost

Loved this book. The pace can feel kind of slow at times, but every portion is excellently written and credible. I enjoyed reading this and discovering that the author researched the youth of Germany.

The Light We Can Not See

We read this book for our book club. It is a riveting book about the 2nd world war, the on the ground horror of the rubble & victims due to Hitler's crazy actions. It will keep you on your seat. I couldn't leave the characters stranded so I read on and on !