The story is set during WW II. It features two children: one in France and the other in Germany. The author tells their stories by alternating chapters. So one chapter describes what happens to Werner and the next one tells about Marie-Laure. The author makes their lives realistic as he describes the horrors of war children had to go through.
I don't normally like war stories or stories with violence. This one was dark but I couldn't put it down. It's easy to read. There's lots of conflict and most of the predictions I made about what was coming next were wrong.
For all stories a certain amount of research has to be done. Either Anthony Doerr did a lot of research or was extremely knowledgeable about science. Whether it was radio, physics, snails, biology or minerals and gems the details were there. Marie-Laure was blind and he had to know in great detail how blind people function.
In the end we come away understanding much more about the horrors of war during the war and what people suffer years after the war.
Now I haven't told you any part of the story. You'll have to get all the story yourself.
After I finished reading this story I noticed that it won the Pulitzer prize.
Don't check Wiki Pedia as it gives a story summary
Thanks for the review. I have certainly heard of this book. It shows up on recommended reading lists.
ReplyDeleteI think you'd find this a very good read.
DeleteAlways nice to hear a good book. I read all the time, varying with genres.
ReplyDeleteI tend to get series or authors and read similar books for a while.
DeleteI enjoyed the book, too, Red. I didn't know it won the Pulitzer Prize. I'm glad! It might have been my mention of the book, I don't know. I sometimes put a book on hold at the library and when it comes in, much later, I don't remember where I heard about it. :-)
ReplyDeleteI thought you were the one who recommended this book but it's a long time ago. I reserved it and by the time the library phoned me I'd forgotten about it.
DeleteIt sounds very interesting. I'll have to check it out. I'm not a huge fan of war stories, but sometimes the author is such a great writer that I'm willing to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteThis is not guns and bombs but the experience of people going through the war.
DeleteExcellent review, Red!
ReplyDeleteWhen I get my cataract done in May. I am told I will see better to read. Then later I guess will get second eye done soon after. I love to read. This looks like an interesting book. I enlarge to write and then put back down for your blog.
ReplyDeleteI hope everything works out with the cataracts. They do some amazing things with eyes these days.
DeleteI read the book last year and enjoyed it as well. It was a little slow in places but you cared about the people and the scenery. My next post is going to be some very sketchy book reviews as I have done nothing but read these last few weeks. What is the photo? No one asks, so I guess I am the only one who does not know.
ReplyDeleteYou're right . No one asks. Many of my posts don't have photos. Blogger puts some weird photos with my posts. If I put one of my photos at the end of the post I have control. These were cadets I supervised when they volunteered for park maintenance.
DeleteI have heard very good things about this book. I bought it and am preparing to read. Blogger adds photos??? I do like the one you shared today and am glad you explained to Tabor.
ReplyDeleteThanks. That's one for the 'to be read' list.
ReplyDeleteIt was one of my favorite books last year. That's why I highly recommended it. Glad to read you enjoyed it as well....;)
ReplyDeleteHi Red, Thanks for the info on this book ... Sounds good!
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