Annotation -Historical Fiction

All the Light We Cannot See

 by Anthony Doerr

Scribner, 2014

530 pages

ISBN: 9781276746586

Setting- France and Germany

Synopsis

Marie-Laure lives with her father, Daniel LeBlanc, a locksmith for the Museum of Natural History in Paris, France. When she becomes blind at the age of six, her father painstakingly builds a miniature replica of her Paris neighborhood so that she may become familiar with its layout by touch and have it memorized. When the Germans invade Paris, LeBlanc flees Paris with Marie-Laure and takes refuge in his uncle’s home in Saint Malo. In addition to protecting his daughter, Daniel has been entrusted by the Museum with the safekeeping of a priceless jewel. LeBlanc’s efforts to enable his daughter to achieve a level of independence are realized when she is later able to assist the French resistance through radio transmissions.

Meanwhile, in a mining town in Germany, Werner lives in an orphanage with his sister, Jutta. His father died in the mine and Werner clings to the hope of a different life than that of his father. After discovering a broken radio, Werner tries to fix it and eventually becomes adept at radio repair. This talent eventually leads him to acceptance and enrollment at an academy for Hitler Youth. Within a few years, he is recruited to aid the Nazi forces in locating the members of the Resistance through their radio transmissions.  Werner has achieved a different life from the miners in his town. However, as he becomes more aware of the mission and goals of Hitler’s regime, his reluctance to be a part of Hitler’s plans grows.

The paths of Marie-Laure and Werner eventually cross in Saint Malo during the final days of the War. Their brief friendship, while unlikely, speaks to the possibility of hope and goodness in the midst of the evil that characterizes war.  

Doerr‘s book is beautifully written. It is filled with hope and portrays the goodness present even in the midst of the brutality of war. The stories of Marie-Laure and Werner cross and are interwoven in various ways throughout the book. Despite the backdrop of war, hopefulness and resilience is conveyed throughout the story and the ability of goodness to prevail in the midst of war.

Read-alikes

Fiction

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Set in France during World War II, the novel explores the relationship of two sisters during the war.

Motherland by Maria Hummel-Also set during World War II, the book centers on a German family during the final days of the war and show s the effect of the war on German families.

Lisette’s List by Susan Vreeland- Besides sharing the wartime setting, the sequestering of special artwork to keep it out of the hands of the Nazi’s is a theme.

The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer

Subject Headings

World War II, 1939-45

Saint- Malo, France

Youth-France-fiction

Youth-Germany-fiction

Blind-fiction

Appeal

Frame/Setting- Readers who are drawn to wartime stories, particularly World War II stories, will enjoy All the Light We Cannot See. Doerr’s research and attention to detail is evident when reading the book. There is an abundance of historical fact and historical references that history buffs will enjoy.

Tone- Despite the wartime setting, there is a hopeful and uplifting tone to the story which will appeal to many readers.  

Storyline -The wartime setting is pivotal to the storyline. Although the characters’ stories are central to the book and a major factor in its appeal, the storyline is based on the historical period.  Doerr provides ample background information describing the main characters and their motivations.

Pace- Full of historical details, the pace of historical novels is generally more leisurely. There is usually much to absorb in the details as is true in All the Light We Cannot See.