Reviews tagging 'Animal death'

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

16 reviews

rebekahvldz's review against another edition

dark emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

I came to this book with the expectations of a crushing, thrilling tale- a romance between two lovers or friends not fated to end up together amidst a turbulent World War 2 backdrop. I expected heartbreak, insights and a lot of sobbing a la Book Thief. This absolutely was a romance book but not between people- rather it was two characters who fell in love with everything and everyone around them, who would do anything to preserve the life they lived so dearly in the countries they were loyal to. It was interesting to see the contrast between what that meant for both characters and both of them did end up breaking my heart in small ways. But there was no fanfare finale, no resolution to the two particular storylines that suggested the story was moving forward. It was kind of worse in a way, because it lacked those. I still loved the book- , the writing was poetic and enthralling, the characters were passionate, curious and dedicated and made me love the things they did but I will say there was no major plot here. It was more a study of two characters, an exploitation of their passions and how that interacted with the impending war but again no grand sweeping story. It was still beautiful, of course and I did enjoy it but I was still waiting for the story to start at page 450. Other than me turning the pages, I would’ve had no indication that the story was moving forward. And each chapter spends only a couple pages with either character so you don’t really get to sink your teeth in, despite the 527 pages. I thought it was worth the read but I deeply wish I had come with no preconceived notions- I might have enjoyed it more. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Genocide, Violence, Antisemitism, Grief, and War

Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Animal death, Blood, Excrement, and Death of parent

erin52's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This book is incredible. The prose is incredibly gorgeous and the way the two/three separate plotlines weave together is so satisfying.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War

Moderate: Sexual assault

Minor: Animal death

alittlelifer's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Antisemitism, Colonisation, and War

Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, and Physical abuse

Minor: Animal death, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Vomit, Death of parent, and Abandonment

ellen_nicholson's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

Gorgeous prose! A deep reflection on the human experience including our stories, free will and our interconnectedness. Definetly a bitter-sweet and emotional read. The only reasons that it didn't get 5 stars, was that the combination of a split perspective and a split timeline between chapters, became a little confusing in some parts. The ending also felt anticlimactic. Overall a new favourite. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Violence, Antisemitism, and War

Moderate: Sexual assault and Torture

Minor: Animal death

l1iqc's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The book was very detailed and the plot was interesting at the beginning/middle  but I found the book very boring to read because it was filled with so much that adds nothing (I guess that’s good in some ways).  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Death, Genocide, Rape, Sexual assault, Antisemitism, and War

Moderate: Blood and Death of parent

Minor: Animal death and Alcohol

sammymilfort's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Genocide

Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death