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All the Light We Cannot See Audiobook Review

 


 

All the Light We Cannot See – An Audio Book Review

 

  • Author: Anthony Doerr
  • Narrated by: Zach Appleman
  • Length: 16 hours and 2 minutes
  • Unabridged
  • Genre: Drama

 
Download or CD available to BUY at Amazon.
 


 

All the Light We Cannot See Audio Book Summary:

 

All the Light We Cannot See tells the story of two different characters in war torn Paris during World War 2. One of the protagonists is Marie Laurie, a blind girl who lives with his father in Paris near the Museum of National History. Marie Laurie fell ill and lost her vision when she was 6 years old. During this trying time, her father built a mini replica of the whole town so that she will be able to memorize the streets and find her way home on her own. Unfortunately, her peaceful life with her father, who works as caretaker of the museum, is shattered when Nazis come in and occupy Paris. Marie Laurie and her father then flee to Saint-Malo citadel where her uncle resides.

The second protagonist is a German orphan named Werner who lives in a small mining town with her younger sister. Werner has a gift for tinkering with machines ever since he was a child when he found and repaired an old radio. After years of sharpening his skills, he has become quite talented in fixing various mechanical instruments, a skill which lands him a spot in the academy for Hitler Youths. Soon after that he is given a mission to track down the resistance hiding within Paris. As Werner discovers the tragedy his skills cause to people he travels deeper within the city of Paris. Soon, Werner and Marie Laurie’s story will join and their lives will forever change.
 

One reason to listen:

All the Light We Cannot See is a touching tale of two vastly similar souls who find each other in a world where pain and suffering seems widespread. It is a great audiobook that shows there is beauty to be found even in the grime and muck if you look close enough.
 


 

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Reactions:

 
“The NY Times made a comment that Anthony Doer could be a literary writer. I already considered him so, and partly listened to this book to prove the Times wrong. Happy to say, I believe fervently that this is a very strong literary foray. I don’t know what other category I’d put it in. A very strong story, strong writing, and good characters that develop and learn.” – Annie M
 


 

“A wonderful story of young people caught in the net of the Nazis in WWII. In this book Anthony Doerr shows the tragedy from both inside the Nazi party, and on the life of a blind young French woman. A classic story about doing the right thing, at the risk of your own life. I loved the book.” – Sandra
 



 

“This novel helps the reader understand what it was like to be trapped in the machinations of World War II. Because the two protagonists are children in 1934, they are not able to escape the coming war. The girl is French, while the boy is German. Each is rendered even more powerless by inescapable circumstances: Marie-Laure is blind, while Werner is an orphan. Doerr plunges the reader into their experience of the war through precisely described vignettes–fragments of their experience that resonate powerfully. The two characters eventually meet, and these scenes are haunting.

If you are a reader who enjoyed the poetic, humanism of The English Patient or the masterful point-of-view of Code Name Verity or the intense personal quality of All Quiet in the Western Front, you will love this book. The story is absolutely riveting in itself, but the way the writer parses his words creates a sparseness that matches the emotional trauma the two characters stoically endure.” – Hank Reads
 


 

“When I started listening to this story, I realized it was the wrong novel for me at this particular time. I needed something lighter. I kept telling myself I’d stop listening and go back to it at another time…but the writing kept me hooked. Something was going on here that went beyond the two children whose day-to-day lives Doerr was describing.” – Christina
 



 

“I found the book too descriptive and too poetic. Like another reviewer said, there were just too many metaphors. I got lost in the sugary details. I didn’t enjoy the scientific detail, either. I don’t care how many teeth a snail has. For me, it just got in the way. I can’t wait until my daughter finishes reading it so I can get her opinion. Plus, even though I listened to the ending twice, I still am not sure what happened to the “stone”.” – Elizabeth
 

Score on Audible: 4.3 out of 5
Score on Amazon: 4.6 out of 5

Download or CD available to BUY at Amazon.
 


 

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