118 pages • 3 hours read
Anthony DoerrAll the Light We Cannot See
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2014A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read 
Beta
Summary
Background
Part 0, Chapters 1-8
Part 1, Chapters 9-31
Part 2, Chapters 32-36
Part 3, Chapters 37-61
Part 4, Chapters 62-67
Part 5, Chapters 68-95
Part 6, Chapters 96-100
Part 7, Chapters 101-120
Part 8, Chapters 121-128
Part 9, Chapters 129-147
Part 10, Chapters 148-165
Part 11, Chapters 166-167
Part 12, Chapters 168-177
Part 13, Chapter 178
Character Analysis
Symbols & Motifs
Themes
Important Quotes
Essay Topics
Quiz
Tools Beta
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
All the Light We Cannot See alternates between the lives of Marie-Laure Leblanc, a blind girl living in Paris, and Werner Pfennig, a German boy joining the Nazi military to escape a mining town. As they become trapped in the besieged city of Saint-Malo in 1944, their histories, marked by resilience and imagination, converge. Their encounter leads to an act of courage that brings redemption and survival amidst war's devastation. This book depicts antisemitism, war, bullying, violence, and sexual assault.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Anthony Doerr's All the Light We Cannot See is hailed for its lyrical prose and intricate dual narrative structure, exploring the lives of a blind French girl and a German soldier during WWII. While praised for its vivid character development and evocative imagery, some critics find its pacing slow. Overall, it's a poignant, richly detailed novel that resonates deeply.
Who Should Read All the Light We Cannot See?
Readers who appreciate meticulously crafted narratives set during World War II, such as Markus Zusak's The Book Thief and Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale, will be captivated by Anthony Doerr's All the Light We Cannot See. This novel appeals to those who enjoy richly detailed, character-driven stories intertwining historical events and personal struggles.