This Pulitzer Prize–winning novel is one of those unforgettable reads that stays with you long after you’ve finished it. Set in France during World War II, All the Light We Cannot See is both heart-wrenching and beautifully written, showing how ordinary people try to find kindness and light in the darkest of times.

Summary

At the heart of this story are two young lives caught up in the devastation of war.

Marie-Laure is a blind French girl who grows up in Paris, where her father works at the Musée d’Histoire Naturelle. When the Nazis occupy Paris, the two flee to the walled city of Saint-Malo to live with her great-uncle. Along the way, they carry what may be the museum’s most valuable—and dangerous—treasure.

In Germany, Werner Pfennig is an orphan who discovers a love for radios and the world they open up to him. His gift for building and repairing them soon draws the attention of the Nazis, and he’s recruited to track the resistance.

As their paths eventually cross, Anthony Doerr weaves their stories together with incredible care, reminding us that even in war, humanity and hope can survive.

Why You’ll Love This Book

All the Light We Cannot See is the kind of book that stays with you long after you turn the last page. Anthony Doerr’s writing is gorgeous and immersive, bringing the streets of Paris, the walls of Saint-Malo, and the inner lives of his characters vividly to life.

You’ll feel every moment of Marie-Laure’s courage and Werner’s struggles, and the way their stories intertwine is both heartbreaking and hopeful. If you love historical fiction that’s emotional, beautifully crafted, and impossible to forget, this book will be right at the top of your list.

Notable Quote

“Open your eyes and see what you can with them before they close forever.”

About The Author, Anthony Doerr

Anthony Doerr, born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, is the award-winning author of The Shell Collector, Memory Wall, Four Seasons in Rome, and All the Light We Cannot See. The latter won the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and went on to become an international bestseller. You can learn more about his work at www.anthonydoerr.com.

Location

The story is set in France (Paris and Saint-Malo) and Germany during World War II.

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Book Lists Featuring All the Light We Cannot See

• Books set in France

If you love beautifully written historical fiction, add All the Light We Cannot See to your reading list and get ready for a story you’ll never forget.