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A review by alexiafox
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
Beautiful and lyrical prose. There is no doubt that Anthony Doerr is a talented writer.
I’m not sure if it was all the hype I had heard previously or if it was because it took me a long time to read this, but I simply didn’t enjoy this as much as everyone else (it seems).
It felt very long, and at times it seemed like the plot didn’t progress all that much. If you enjoy reading for the ambience and characters rather than plot then I would recommend this. It would be easier to forgive the slow pace if I felt connected to the characters but I simply didn’t connect with them that deeply. I certainly cared and empathized but I felt something lacking.
Close to the end (probably 200 pages from ending) I felt more “hooked” since the war was starting to end. However, by the end, I felt more frustrated than heartbroken. I don’t know if I understood the choices for such a bleak ending that seemed rushed and came out of nowhere. On the other hand, the ending had some beautiful moments.
I was just left wanting a bit more: emotionally and for the characters. But then again, that is the point. War is bleak. War is catastrophic. War destroys.
<Spoiler>:
After reading some discussion, I will say I understand that war isn’t something that has “happy endings” for the people affected by it. I now see the irony of Werner’s death since he died in the way he feared (his father’s death). I also understand that so many people were lost to the war and many didn’t get the peace of knowing what happened to their loved ones. I think this reality is what is upsetting… but it’s important to read about. <Spoiler>
I’m not sure if it was all the hype I had heard previously or if it was because it took me a long time to read this, but I simply didn’t enjoy this as much as everyone else (it seems).
It felt very long, and at times it seemed like the plot didn’t progress all that much. If you enjoy reading for the ambience and characters rather than plot then I would recommend this. It would be easier to forgive the slow pace if I felt connected to the characters but I simply didn’t connect with them that deeply. I certainly cared and empathized but I felt something lacking.
Close to the end (probably 200 pages from ending) I felt more “hooked” since the war was starting to end. However, by the end, I felt more frustrated than heartbroken. I don’t know if I understood the choices for such a bleak ending that seemed rushed and came out of nowhere. On the other hand, the ending had some beautiful moments.
I was just left wanting a bit more: emotionally and for the characters. But then again, that is the point. War is bleak. War is catastrophic. War destroys.
<Spoiler>:
After reading some discussion, I will say I understand that war isn’t something that has “happy endings” for the people affected by it. I now see the irony of Werner’s death since he died in the way he feared (his father’s death). I also understand that so many people were lost to the war and many didn’t get the peace of knowing what happened to their loved ones. I think this reality is what is upsetting… but it’s important to read about. <Spoiler>
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: Sexual assault