Thursday, June 18, 2015

ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE

Author:  Anthony Doerr
Genre:  Historical Fiction, Standalone
Published:  2014
Personal Rating:  2.25/5 (not enjoyable +)
Format/Narrator:  Audiobook/Zach Appelman
Yearly Count:  33


This is a World War II novel based mainly on 2 non-Jewish children:  a young girl from France and a boy from Germany.

The first half of the book, for both stories, was dull and dragged.  The second half picked up and kept my attention a little bit more, but not enough to actually enjoy the experience.  My greatest complaint was that both stories alternated, along with the time period.  Had the story flowed better, I may have liked it better.  At this point, I'm just glad it's done.

*This was posted with dashed hopes, a bit of frustration and disappointment.

Thoughts of Joy
             

12 comments:

  1. BUMMER!!! I have high hopes for this one...though not thrilled to find out about the alternating time period/stories. Not a fan of that tired trope.

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    Replies
    1. Trish ~ You usually like this kind of prose much more than I do, so I encourage you to go in with positive thoughts. And I can see why others would enjoy it (sometimes I just don't understand the draw, but this one I do). It just wasn't for me.

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  2. Sorry this didn't work for you. I bought it after reading some great reviews. :/

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  3. Anonymous10:30 PM

    I was so happy when this book won since Doerr is from the area and I've been to one of his book signings. I even liked his memoir, Four Seasons in Rome. But just from the storyline I was pretty sure it wouldn't be for me. You've confirmed some of that for me :)

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    Replies
    1. Stacybuckeye ~ I'm glad I did, but the majority has loved this one. I truly wish I was with them.

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  4. I bought this on audible and have tried twice to listen to it and get distracted away by other books. I do like it and plan to finish it so I will see what my final consensus is. I agree, the alternating time period doesn't flow as well as I had hoped.

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    Replies
    1. Bonnie ~ The good news is that it does get better, so maybe it'll hold your attention more when you get back to it. It is loved by many. I hope you end up in that camp.

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  5. I liked this one more than you did. I would have rated it a 4, although I was surprised when he won an award for it.

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    Replies
    1. Booklogged ~ That's nice for him. <--- I mean that sincerely. :)

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  6. To echo Trish, BUMMER! I loved this book and look forward to reading his other books. So sorry it fell (very) short for you. :(

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