My reading lately experienced some holts. I was changing the books searching for the one to fit my mood and interests. I have been reading Iris Origo’s autobiographical Images and Shadows. Interesting book but rather difficult to immerse in and forget the passing time. Actually I, as a budding Stoic, do not subscribe to killing time and this is not what it is all about. I am going through the time when I have to subject to things I would not choose for myself if I had a choice. Nevertheless, I decided to go through a rather difficult period and now I want to make the best out of it. Part of it is reading good books that I find either uplifting, amusing or enriching. And I have to consider that my attention span is not perfect right now. There are books on my side table though that I intend to read soon. And today I finished All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. The book ticked off several boxes. It is easy to read, the story is really good even if in the category of a fairy tale. It got even a Pulitzer Prize and I would be very interested in arguments for the book achieving such an award. The Wikipedia states also that it is a historical book. I wonder? Nowadays books called “historical” fulfil criteria that I am not familiar with. If JB reads the post and has views on the subject could I, please, ask for an opinion with some focus on historical fiction books. I must admit that I was a bit surprised seeing some correctly spelt Polish names of places the 2nd World War passed through. Surprised and impressed, but seeing the same names listed again further in the book I devalued the importance of the mention. It was just a mention.
I find of great value the descriptions and stories about the upbringing of German youth before and in the early stages of the war. Maybe even historical value? Observing today's nationalistic atmosphere in the world, I can see similarities and dangers of the populistic governments through the world. Polish one including. This is of course the closest to my heart and I worry about some events. So, the book could have a value as a warning. This is a big tick for the book.
Good story, a really good story, that keeps attention once you get into it. It took me long, about 100 pages to decide that I like to read it. It consumed my attention and interest and I read with great interest until the last 40-50 pages that disappointed me. I believe that many of the readers could dispute that with me, but personally, I wanted more, whatever it might be. Another book? But I would not read a sequel anyhow. While the story is very interesting I do not find it at all believable. Does it have to be? Maybe not. I would have liked it though.
I seem to be rather critical of the book and I am looking for positives as I got the book as a present from a person I value a lot. The book was supposed to lift my spirits and even if it did not fulfil this objective I am glad I have read it. I would have liked a bit more humour in the book but it was rather difficult, perhaps, as the book is about a blind girl, set in the war and describing its cruelty rather convincingly.
The motive I liked best in the book was the motive of courage. A blind girl is a courageous person. She is even active in the French resistance movement in spite of her profound limitations. She says that she just leads her days as she has to. Whatever the need to do she just does and being scared does not stop her. This is a very universal message and an example to follow. I am trying to do just that.
Thank you, my friend, Rachel, for the book. 7 out of 10, and I am a fussy reader.
