Author : Anthony Doerr
Much has been said about this book, laurels showered in
abundance, praises heaped upon. My review could just be a repetition of what
has already been stated by scores of readers before me. But yet, there is a certain
delight in penning down a review in your own words, though it is the resonance
of the same vibe, yet again.
Set in the time of the French resistance during WW II, All
the lights we cannot see is centered around two unique teenagers, a blind French
girl and a German Orphan, who stand up to the challenges posed to them during
the war times.
The book is a parallel narrative for the most part,
switching back and forth between the lives of the two protagonists and it overlaps
towards the end when they cross paths with each other.
The author leaves no stone unturned in pointing out the
atrocities which happened during the war. Prisoners are captured, punished,
executed. Innocent people die like flies, succumbing to a fate they do not
deserve. Heart breaking, brutal, heart-wrenching,
hard hitting, devastating are the words which should ideally come to the reader’s
mind when reading such a serious book. But instead, I find myself using words like
delicate, beautiful, fragile and poetic to describe this book. Simply put, it
is a piece of art. The narration is rich with details, the language is smooth. I find myself in a trance, with my heart on my
sleeve, calling out to the two protagonists to retrace back their steps and
come back to the picturesque town of Saint-Malo, and spend time with the
readers, a little longer.
The story of a blind girl trying to live her everyday life
with sheer grit despite loosing everything dear to her is truly inspiring. The
story of a young boy who dreams of becoming a famous engineer or a scientist
but gets caught up in a muddy war which he doesn’t want to fight, is saddening.
The book clearly stands out for the brilliant portrayal of two beautiful souls
who refuse to give up hope, despite the darkness surrounding them.
Coming to the plot itself, there were many loopholes and
flaws, but the beautiful narration neutralizes the short comings. I am eagerly
waiting for the Netflix limited series which has just begun production. This
book is meant to be adapted on television. It will be a visual treat to watch.
My Rating: Anything less than 5 is a sacrilege. This book is
a beauty.
