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Jul 18, 2020AlexaLe rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
There are certain stories that stick with readers long after the book has ended. The award-winning novel All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr is one of those. Set in France and Germany during World War II, the book details the separate lives of two teenagers, Marie-Laure and Werner. Marie-Laure lives in France during these trying times, struggling to survive as a blind girl with the absence of her family. Werner is a young orphan with the impressive ability to fix a variety of objects, who is later chosen to fight against the resistance. The novel tells of their individual struggles in their respective locations in a haunting retelling of events, until their paths finally cross in an unexpected way. This is an absolutely beautiful book that I highly recommend. Often times, a story is told from one perspective, so we only see one view on a situation. However, this novel manages to capture both sides from the point of view of teenagers, something that is lacking in many historical fiction stories. I think it is important to view things from different angles, as it allows you to consider a new perspective and ultimately, understand another person better. The novel does an amazing job of exemplifying this, a lesson that is applicable to many situations. The tumultuous journey filled with startling metaphors and striking imagery has the ability to evoke a spectrum of emotions, as it is filled with humor, love, and tragedy. It manages to be a story that can make you smile but at the same time causes your heart to break at the horrific outcomes of this war. This is a great book about a situation that many can sympathize with, regardless of age or opinion. Age rating: 14+ Star rating: 5 stars