Reading: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

“Time is a slippery thing: lose hold of it once, and its string might sail out of your hands forever.” - Anthony Doerr, All the Light We Cannot See

Title: All the Light We Cannot See

Author: Anthony Doerr

Publisher: Scibener

Published: 2014

Rating: 3 Stars (Liked it)

All the Light We Cannot See follows a young blind girl living in France and a young German boy from the start to the end of World War II. The book time jumps throughout following their lives as they grow up in the tension of pre-war Europe to the last days of the German occupation of France. The time jumps are sometimes dizzying or hard to follow.

It's fascinating to see the changes that take place in the society and people in Germany as the Reich takes hold of their nation and their youth. We see much of this through the eyes of a young prodigy who does what he is told without putting his heart into it. It is also a beautiful telling of life through the words of a young blind girl lost and alone but strong and independent.

I liked this story and I'm glad that I read it, but I have to say it took me a long time to get into. The time jumps and style of writing was a barrier to being sucked into the story. It got a little dull at points. I do think it is worth reading and would encourage other to read it. I only gave it 3 stars because while I liked it, the writing just wasn't enough to earn more.

3 Stars

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