All the Light We Cannot See Summary, it is a 2014 war novel by American author Anthony Doerr. The novel is set during World War II and centers around the characters Marie-Laure LeBlanc, a blind French girl who takes refuge in her uncle's house in Saint-Malo after Paris is invaded by Nazi Germany, and Werner Pfennig, a bright German boy who is accepted into a military school because of his skills in radio technology, before being sent to the military.
The novel is written in a lyrical style, and almost all of the chapters alternate between Marie-Laure's and Werner's stories, which parallel each other. The narrative has a nonlinear structure, flashing between the Battle of Saint-Malo and the events leading up to it. The story has ethical themes such as the dangers of greed and the nature of sacrifice, and portrays the destructive nature of war and Doerr's fascination with science and nature.
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| All The Light We Cannot See Summary |
All The Light We Cannot See Summary
Marie-Laure grows up in Paris, the beloved daughter of Daniel LeBlanc, master locksmith of the National Natural History Museum. Blind from the age of 6, Marie-Laure learns to navigate her world through the patience and persistent guidance of her father. He builds a scale model replica of her neighborhood so that she can learn her way around, independently. He also gives her Braille books, opening her mind and imagination to a world beyond her own.
Werner grows up in a protestant orphanage with his younger sister, Jutta. Extremely intelligent, Werner builds his own radio, which picks up far away broadcasts from cities around the world. These broadcasts, particularly a scientific program for children given by a Frenchman, give him and Jutta hope for a better life. His is life marked by poverty and a fear of ending up in the mines like his dead father, so Werner seizes an opportunity to escape the mines through admission to a Reich-sponsored school. Though he gets the education of his dreams in some ways, the price he pays for it is his humanity.
Werner grows up in a protestant orphanage with his younger sister, Jutta. Extremely intelligent, Werner builds his own radio, which picks up far away broadcasts from cities around the world. These broadcasts, particularly a scientific program for children given by a Frenchman, give him and Jutta hope for a better life. His is life marked by poverty and a fear of ending up in the mines like his dead father, so Werner seizes an opportunity to escape the mines through admission to a Reich-sponsored school. Though he gets the education of his dreams in some ways, the price he pays for it is his humanity.
The novel’s different sections converge upon their meeting, which forms an extended climax within the novel. While the novel is not a traditional love story, Werner, nevertheless, falls in love with Marie-Laure, when he sees her walk down the street in Saint-Malo. Werner rescues Marie-Laure from death and helps her escape the city, which is still under siege, redeeming himself through this act of courage in defiance of his so-called duty to the Reich.
The story continues beyond the end of the war, detailing the consequences of Werner’s act of humanity, and revealing Marie-Laure’s survival. Through Jutta’s son, Max, the reader also sees the survival of Werner’s bright curiosity, no longer overshadowed by poverty or history. At the end of the novel, the reader comes away with a sense of the power of light against darkness and the human spirit’s dedication to preserving its own humanity, even under desperate circumstances.
Questions about All The Light We Cannot See Plot
How does all the lights we Cannot see end? The story ends with multiple detonations of high explosives and twee sentiment. The blond leads the blind: Werner leads Marie through the rubble to safety, but dies by stepping on a landmine. After enduring so many of Werner's trivial reflections, we are spared his final thoughts.
Is All the Light We Cannot See a sad book? As with any WWII book, you are not getting a happy light-hearted read. You may ask: “Why would I want to read a sad and depressing book?” Well, because what you will walk away with are stories of strength and hope.
Does All the Light We Cannot See have romance? Answer and Explanation: In All the Light We Cannot See, Werner Pfennig falls in love with Marie-Laure LeBlanc, but their relationship does not have a chance to grow. They are separated shortly after meeting for the first time, and Werner dies after stepping on a landmine.
Is All the Light We Cannot See a true story? While All the Light We Cannot See is set during two time periods: 1934 in Paris and 1940 in the coastal town of Saint-Malo, France, following the German occupation of Paris during World War II. Despite the depiction of real-life events, All the Light We Cannot See is not based on a true story.
What is the main message of All the Light We Cannot See? While not afraid to confront the horrors of the Second World War, All the Light We Cannot See is a story of hope and resistance. The novel offers the reader an interesting glimpse into the French Resistance, Le Maquis, in his portrayal of the occupied city of Saint-Malo.
Is All the Light We Cannot See a happy ending? "Though it is far from a happy ending, I wanted to end with a promise of hope, and there were some bleak, deeply upsetting scenes late in the book that we didn't include in the show," Levy continues. "But, again, Anthony has turned out to be so happy with the show that he has agreed with that decision.
Is All the Light We Cannot See about a blind girl? All the Light We Cannot See tells the captivating stories of Marie-Laure LeBlanc, a blind French girl, and Werner Pfennig, a German boy, two young adults who eventually cross paths on opposite sides of World War II.
Why is All the Light We Cannot See so hard to read? Rather it's the emotional demands that Anthony Doerr's historical novel, set in parts of Germany and France during World War II, that was difficult for me. Almost from the beginning, it was obvious to me that no one was coming out of this story unscarred–if at all–and the tragedy permeated every page.
What is so good about All the Light We Cannot See? Scenes are captured in rich detail, perceived by all senses. Often the setting is animated with a quality of personification, as though it was a character in itself. “Winter sucks the light from the castle.” Although Marie-Laure observes situations without sight, her experiences are often described in colour.
Can a 14 year old read All the Light We Cannot See? This book is for more mature readers or teenagers 14 and up, as the language is PG-13. If you like stories during World War II, then definitely buy this book. Type of Book: Although set in Nazi-occupied France, this is a book that is less about war and more about the people who lived there.
What is the climax of All the Light We Cannot See? ClimaxThe climax occurs when Werner goes to Marie-Laure's house to help her, thereby committing himself to using his skills and talents to save someone else. At the house, Werner shoots and kills von Rumpel.
Is All the Light We Cannot See Worth Reading? Especially with a story that sits at 530 pages, you have to go in ready for a big story. And usually, when stories are that long, it will be a slow burn. All the Light We Cannot See might be the definition of a slow burn read but it's so worth it as everything comes together in the end.
Is Werner in love with Marie-Laure? His team is called to Saint-Malo to locate the origin of one such illegal broadcast, which Werner recognizes as reminiscent of the French professor's broadcast he listened to in his youth. Instead of telling his team about the broadcast, Werner locates it himself, finds Marie-Laure, and falls in love with her.
Who is the girl in All the Light We Cannot See? The girl is Marie-Laure LeBlanc (Aria Mia Loberti). Before Saint-Malo, she lives in Paris with her father Daniel (Mark Ruffalo), the master locksmith at the Museum of Natural History.
What is the irony in All the Light We Cannot See? It is dramatic irony, in that the reader can see the unity of passion between the characters before the characters themselves realize their love. This dramatic irony foreshadows Werner's eventual focus on Marie-Laure as the motivation to act on his inner heart of compassion.