All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr is an exquisite historical novel that dives into World War II Europe and follows two protagonists: Marie-Laurie, a blind French girl, and Werner, a German orphan. In a tale that is poetic, philosophical, and uniquely beautiful, the two develop a friendship that can transcend the borders of nations and beliefs.

Set in France in the 1940s, the novel follows Marie-Laure, a blind girl from Paris who is sent to live with her great-uncle in Saint-Malo. She is a precocious girl with a charming quality that awes her peers and elders alike; she is described as having 'the same quality…as a glass paperweight, a small world complete in itself.' Here, Marie-Laure experiences a life of safety and love, free from war or its effects.

In Cologne, we meet Werner, a German orphan living in a state-run orphanage. He has an affinity for radio, which earns him a spot in an elite military academy. Here, he is labeled a burdensome asset and faced with a moral dilemma as he rises in rank during the war. Though they are on opposing sides, the two characters form an unlikely friendship and have trials that draw them closer together.

The story shifts between both protagonists’ perspectives as the plot progresses. Through their eyes, we experience the horror of war, the sorrow of separation, and the arbitrary nature of fate. But there is a beauty in the darkness—a strange sort of contentment that can be found in the bleakness of the world.

As they travel through WWII Europe—seized French housings, bombed-out train stations—the characters have close encounters with the war. Marie-Laure, who is now in Saint-Malo, is forced to flee with her uncle from the encroaching German forces. Werner works as a mechanic for the Nazis, assigned with finding spies within the occupied territories. They each make individual journeys to the other’s home—Marie-Laurie’s for refuge and Werner’s for duty—and it is through these trips that the two protagonists intersect.

But the novel centers around an mythical object, the Sea of Flames, which binds together the two characters. Marie-Laure’s father protects the coveted stone, which is rumored to possess incredible powers, and Werner is sent on a mission to find it. As the story comes to its climax, their paths merge in a way that brings to light the power of friendship and camaraderie.

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr is a poignant and gripping story that explores the depths of human emotion. Its narrative ebbs and flows through time and space, depicting the warmth of friendship and the harsh realities of war in equal measure. This powerful novel is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and a powerful reminder that, even in the darkest of times, love and hope continue to penetrate our lives.