All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doer
All the Light We Cannot See is a beautifully written and emotionally powerful novel about the Second World War, told from the perspectives of Marie-Laure, a blind French girl, and Werner, a German orphan. It took author Anthony Doerr ten years to write this dual-perspective story, which follows Marie-Laure and her father as they flee Nazi-occupied Paris and seek refuge in the coastal town of Saint-Malo, where they are targeted due to their rumored possession of one of France's most valuable jewels. Werner, meanwhile, uses his intelligence and aptitude for repairing radios to rise through the ranks of the Nazi Youth.
The non-linear structure and short chapters of the novel make it easy to read and keep track of, even as it covers a vast amount of time and a wide range of themes. The relationships between Marie-Laure and Werner's families are a key part of the story, and their love for one another helps to humanize the characters and make the novel more relatable. All the Light We Cannot See was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2015, and it is a must-read for anyone who appreciates beautiful writing and well-developed characters.
Reviewed by Sienna
