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June 2016:

 All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

All The Light We Cannot See
by Anthony Doerr.

First Published: 2014


Book Club Review:
Friday 10th June



All The Light We Cannot See
by Anthony Doerr.

A lovely evening again and a book that was admired by all and promoted much discussion. Most people enjoyed the structure of the book, but the lack of chronology and the switching between characters provided difficulties for Kindle users. Once these were overcome, occasionally by switching to an actual book, the format of the work; the short chapters, the time changes and the switches between the characters proved to be of stylistic interest and added to our appreciation of the book. One member noted that the book was written in the historic present, which gave added immediacy to the book. Some, although not all, felt that the americanisms in the book were an irritation. (But there again, it was written by an American.) Although the structure of the book met with approbation, some felt that the ending was rather rushed and Marie-Laure could have been more forth-coming with Jutta. Some felt that the author was a little too self-indulgent with his descriptions. There was some discussion as to whether we would have preferred it if Werner and Marie-Laure had been given a future together and if Werner’s demise was really necessary.

It is a complex book, with many nuances that one member admitted largely passed her by because she was far too interested in the fate of the characters. Although the two characters only meet at the end of the book, we know they will meet from the very beginning. There are several links between them as we pass through the book. The light in the title is a topic that Werner hears discussed on a late 1930’s radio programme about the brain’s power to create light in darkness. The person on the radio is Marie-Laure’s grandfather.

It is a tragic tale of war and destruction: a story of occupation, of Nazi indoctrination, of Werner’s fight to remain just and honest, of the light and truth in Werner’s life and the light in Marie-Laure’s life despite her blindness and not least of technological miracles.

The short chapters allowed for charming vignettes that were much admired by all: The construction of the wooden models that were carved for Marie-Laure, the children gathering round the radio that Werner had cobbled together, and the mouth-watering description of peaches.

Everyone enjoyed the book and loved the intricate nature of the book and the way the stories interlinked. One member felt that the diamond also had a tale of its own to tell. A story of everyday people doing extra-ordinary things.

JC 4 ****

More information at:
Goodreads.com

Awards:

AA Book Club
Four stars