All the Light We Cannot See
Presented as a Netflix limited series, brought to you by the creative talents of producer and director Shawn Levy (known for Stranger Things), featuring the stellar cast of Mark Ruffalo, Hugh Laurie, and the emerging talent Aria Mia Loberti.
This acclaimed narrative, honored with the Pulitzer Prize and recognized as a National Book Award finalist, stands as a cherished instant New York Times bestseller. It also holds a place in the New York Times Book Review's Top 10 Books. The story unfolds during World War II, revolving around a blind French girl named Marie-Laure and a German boy, both striving to endure the tumultuous times in occupied France.
Marie-Laure resides in Paris with her father, who oversees the Museum of Natural History. At the age of six, she loses her sight, prompting her father to create a meticulous miniature model of their surroundings. This enables her to memorize the layout by touch and navigate her way home. When the Nazis invade Paris when she is twelve, father and daughter seek refuge in the walled citadel of Saint-Malo, home to Marie-Laure's reclusive great uncle. In their possession is a potentially priceless and perilous jewel from the museum.
Meanwhile, in a German mining town, Werner, an orphan, grows up with his younger sister, captivated by a primitive radio they discover. Werner develops a knack for building and repairing these vital new instruments, earning him a spot at a harsh academy for Hitler Youth and later a special assignment to track the Resistance. As he becomes increasingly aware of the human toll of his intelligence, Werner's journey takes him through the heart of the war and eventually leads to Saint-Malo, where his narrative intertwines with Marie-Laure's.
Anthony Doerr's writing is praised for its "stunning sense of physical detail and gorgeous metaphors" (San Francisco Chronicle). Skillfully intertwining the lives of Marie-Laure and Werner, he sheds light on the resilient attempts of individuals to be good to one another amidst challenging circumstances. A decade in the making, "All the Light We Cannot See" stands as a magnificent and profoundly moving novel, showcasing a writer whose sentences consistently evoke excitement (Los Angeles Times).