I’ve just finished reading Anthony
Doerr’s All The Light We Cannot See.
I do most wholeheartedly recommend
it.
What I am always looking for in a
book – and unless it shows promise of coming through with this by at least a
third of the way through, I won’t persist with it – is a voice for insight and
compassion, a version of humanity worth the journey.
I also look for honesty, but I
dislike the kind of tale that descends into prurience or voyeuristic delight in
recounting details of suffering or private moments. It’s a fine balance, and
Doerr does it with finesse.
All The
Light We Cannot See is an astonishing feat of imagination –
I’m not surprised it won the Pulitzer Prize. Doerr has a dazzlingly observant
eye for detail and for human emotion.
It is such a beautiful, insightful
and powerful work.
Just so you know – nobody asked me
to review this or gave me a copy of it, and I don’t know Anthony Doerr. I just
saw it reviewed, though it sounded good, and bought a copy. I wasn’t
disappointed. As always, here and there my editorial fingers twitched a little,
but only on tiny intrusive Americanisms that felt out of place in a European
setting and version of events. It is, taken all round, quite brilliant.
I keep hearing about this book. Many of my librarian friends have read it and encouraged me to as well. I shall add your trusted review to that growing list of praise. Our copy is currently checked out, but I will have to place a hold on it. Also, how interesting about the Americanisms....I shall likely pass right over them as a fish in the water! :)
ReplyDeleteAnother thought: I cannot quit a book once I start. Its as if I expect it to improve perhaps and don't want to give up on it. Matt thinks its strange--there are so many good books so why bother with one that isn't moving you. I get his point, but still... So, I like your screening process, even if it is not one I, too, practice.
ReplyDeleteI'll be most interested to hear how you get on with it, Beth. x
ReplyDeleteI shall look out for this at the library - it looks excellent!
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm going to start one of his others next. xx
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