All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

All the Light We Cannot See

by Anthony Doerr

WINNER OF THE 2015 PULITZER PRIZE FOR FICTION
NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
WINNER OF THE CARNEGIE MEDAL FOR FICTION

A beautiful, stunningly ambitious novel about a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the devastation of World War II

Marie-Laure has been blind since the age of six. Her father builds a perfect miniature of their Paris neighbourhood so she can memorize it by touch and navigate her way home. But when the Nazis invade, father and daughter flee with a dangerous secret.

Werner is a German orphan, destined to labour in the same mine that claimed his father's life, until he discovers a knack for engineering. His talent wins him a place at a brutal military academy, but his way out of obscurity is built on suffering.

At the same time, far away in a walled city by the sea, an old man discovers new worlds without ever setting foot outside his home. But all around him, impending danger closes in.

Doerr's combination of soaring imagination and meticulous observation is electric. As Europe is engulfed by war and lives collide unpredictably, 'All The Light We Cannot See' is a captivating and devastating elegy for innocence.

Reviewed by Whitney @ First Impressions Reviews on

1 of 5 stars

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All The Light We Cannot See was one of the most hyped-up books when it was released in 2014 and even won a Pulitzer Prize. Sadly, I didn't see it. I tried desperately but I just couldn't get into it. It felt pretentious and had an Oscar (or in this case Pulitzer) Bait vibe to it.

Despite their grandiose storylines none of the characters stood out to me, and I had to look through the synopsis to recall the main character's names (Marie-Laure and Werner in case you were wondering).

I may be in the minority with this one but I feel that All the Light We Cannot See missed the mark.

This review was originally posted on First Impressions Reviews

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  • 18 January, 2014: Reviewed