Reviews tagging 'Antisemitism'

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

157 reviews

eliya's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.0

Historical fictions are difficult for me, and this one was beautifully written. I loved following two people as they grow up, I found it very interesting and informative the different ways in which they interacted with and experienced the war. Heartbreakingly told, such incredible detail done in every moment. 

I think this is a book I would not recommend the audiobook for - I found myself getting too distracted on the small details and had to go back several times. I started the beginning chapters probably thrice. Although, Zach Appelman does an incredible job - there was so much consistency throughout the 16 hours I was astonished. 

I learned a lot about radios and sound waves and science. I learned more about WWII.

I particularly enjoyed

the story about the Sea of Flames, I listened to that probably three times it was so fantastical..

  I savored Yutta’s story as much as I possibly could. I found her fascinating. Verner

:-( I totally get why he had to die but :-( did he really have to. I get that he did some bad things and made some bad choices but 😭 I wanted them together so badly.

Liked this book a lot, other than the out of no where horrificly anti-fat descriptions of fat people lol. I am excited to see what Netflix does with it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Antisemitism, Forced institutionalization, Genocide, Violence, and War

Moderate: Chronic illness

Minor: Rape and Fatphobia

cinnamontwisty's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-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? It's complicated

4.0

The best thing about this book is by far the writing, it feels almost lyrical or poetic. Absolutely gorgeous, like reading a fairy tale. I feel like the characters and the way their stories connected was a bit underwhelming, but still very good. Definitely worth a read!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Death, and Violence

Moderate: Antisemitism, Rape, and Sexual assault

kirstencholewa's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

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

5.0

A poignant story that explores the power of knowledge and connection and the importance of free will and making choices based on what you believe is right.

The descriptions used, especially for Marie-Laurie’s chapters, help make this a truly immersive read.

A powerful novel that makes you think. A must-read in today’s world. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Antisemitism, War, and Death

Moderate: Deportation, Abandonment, and Rape

lindseyratterree's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: War and Antisemitism

Minor: Rape

sarawagistrom's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful slow-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, Antisemitism, Blood, Genocide, Xenophobia, War, Violence, and Rape

Minor: Death of parent and Abandonment

ashlynmae311's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, War, Child death, and Bullying

Moderate: Animal death, Mental illness, Grief, Rape, Antisemitism, and Violence

Minor: Cancer

lindsayerin's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Xenophobia, Bullying, Antisemitism, Violence, Gun violence, and War

Moderate: Rape

enchantingreads_rosyreviews's review against another edition

3.75

"You know the greatest lesson of history? It's that history is whatever the victors say it is. That's the lesson. Whoever wins, that's who decides the history. We act in our own self interest. Of course we do. Name a person or a nation who does not. The trick is figuring out where your interests are."

📻
Reasons why this book is great: 

1. Every sentence and paragraph paints a vivid picture in your head; almost as if creating a world for someone who is unable to physically see it (like the main character, Marie-Laure). 
2. Definition of a beautifully tragic tale. The author doesn’t shy away from the dark side of war or survival during occupation, but also describes the world to remind us to cherish every day. 
3. Written as an epic tale, with high-stakes, action, character growth, and drama. 
4. For anyone who’s a fan of independent films or typical Oscar-nominated films, this story taps into that same general vibe.

Whew! This book is one of those that feeds and starves your soul. It's a hard read because it focuses on tragedy (WW2) and the tough choices regular people have to make in times of extreme circumstances. Although the Netflix series did an AMAZING job adapting this book, there is SO. MUCH. MORE. to absorb from the book. Doerr's descriptive language, epic scenery, unique world-view, and likeable characters are truly something to experience.

Also, this was my first book that I used an audio guide to follow along. Honestly, because of the book's epic-ness, I found myself getting lost in the words/descriptions. Having the audiobook companion to keep me on track with my paperback version, was a great help to stay grounded in the story.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Colonisation, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, and Antisemitism

Moderate: Gun violence, Racism, Racial slurs, and War

Minor: Xenophobia and Death of parent

This book takes place during Nazi occupation in France, bringing all of the historical elements into this story.

sappypatheticm's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Violence, Bullying, Child death, Blood, Cancer, Sexual assault, Confinement, Medical content, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Terminal illness, War, Antisemitism, Death, Murder, Death of parent, and Ableism

Moderate: Abandonment, Fire/Fire injury, Deportation, and Genocide

kelseyfactorial's review against another edition

informative reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War

Moderate: Murder and Antisemitism

Minor: Physical abuse