All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

This is an interesting book based on the simple, yet very complex lives of two children during WWII.  At first you assume they are leading separate lives with no possible connection.  However as the novel progresses one begins to see how intertwined their lives are.

Marie-Laure LeBlanc lives in France.  Paris to begin with and then as the Nazis approach she relocates to Saint Malo, which upon investigation is found in Brittany.  She begins the story with sight but rapidly loses it due to illness.  Her fascination with everything is enchanting.  She is particularly interested in snails, shells, pine cones, etc.  I imagine it is due to the distinctive nature of each object.  Like many who lose one ability or another, she is afraid to try new things until her father builds her a replica of her community.  For each birthday he would build her something miniature with a surprise inside.  This becomes very important as the story develops.  As she learns to maneuver the streets like she does her birthday presents her confidence increases.  This preparation will not only enable her to survive when she is transplanted to Saint Malo but will help her to avoid the perils of war as many could not.

In Germany is Werner Pfenning, a young boy of a similar age living in an orphanage with his sister Jutta.  He is as fascinated with mechanical things as Marie-Laure is with snails and shells.  He is especially gifted when it comes to radios.  This love of getting radios to work and listening to broadcasts with is sister is the connection between Werner and Marie-Laure. Werner and Jutta are listening to broadcasts from Marie-Laure’s grandfather.  The broadcasts include a science lesson and classical music.  It is all in French which Werner also speaks and so does the Frau who runs the orphanage.

Their two lives will coincide again when Werner, a German soldier, encounters Marie-Laure and realizes the connection between the broadcasts he listened to as a child and the young girl he meets while looking to find illegal radios.  His decisions have a lasting impact on both their lives as they exchange something of value to survive.  The true nature of this is seen in the final chapters of the book.

The story has plenty of everything—drama, war, espionage, disaster and horrific events.  It is a story that could be true of just about any two children growing into adulthood during WWII.  While Doerr does not dwell on the horrors of war it is easy to experience them without having to go into each terrible detail.  Sometimes less is more and he uses this perfectly. 

This book is a story within a story within a story.  In the end it simply a story!