SABBATH SNAPSHOT: beyond disibili-TEA

World War II is the backdrop for Anthony Doerr's All the Light We Cannot See. What a book! What a read!
I did NOT want to read one more book that dealt with war---too disturbing, too heavy, too horrific, too real!
But....this novel had me by page 7 ---"as the leaflets dropped"---"she could smell the ink."
Short chapters, some only 1-2 pages long, bounce back and forth between the two protagonists; a young blind girl, whose mind has a love of literature and dependence on her dad, who carefully instructs her in order to foster independence, along with the corresponding life of a young German lad, fascinated by science, but orphaned and living with his sister in a children's home. 
Hauntingly beautiful is how NYTimes review describes it. (4/28) 
Too much info would constitute a spoiler----just know that the author easily and skillfully weaves wartime training, Jules Verne, radio transmissions, museum treasures, a "Sea of Flames'" legendary curse, sabotaging neighbors, snails from the sea, and a sister's insight and conscience into a an intriguing World War II narrative.

Tho it's taken awhile to get through 534 pages, the setting created so much interest that I googled Saint-Malo---and if I were not so averse to the hassle and fears of foreign travel these days, I might put it on my bucket list, because thanks to Doerr, I feel as if I've been there and would like to see what remains.

I didn't like to read it at night because I wouldn't want to put it down......at the same time, it would "key me up" so I had trouble going to sleep. It's not totally absent of language and some vile situations but very,very few considering this was a "war" book. I thought it was a worthy read.

"Trusted Book Review"---Do you trust me?

12/19/13 Trust me---always read a book prior to seeing the movie. Let the author's words create your own mental images, not Hollywood.

 I actually read parts of the book years ago as a review for some of my high school students. I knew I would return to it in the future. My future was 2013. The reading began with an audio book. The reader was excellent but I kept a print copy bedside because some of Max's illustrations/writings added to the charm of the book.

Note: Both print & audio books were checked out from my local library. I'm a grateful library patron.

As much as I liked the Book Thief  by Marcus Zusak, I can understand why others would not. 

Understandably the holocaust topic is too grim for some readers. The book also has profanity, though much of it is in German and when translated, probably means dirty, filthy pig.

NYTimes review was not exactly favorable. "A little fussy---with some slack moments. Needs to be more certain of own strength. Young-adult fiction."

"It deplores human misery. It celebrates the power of language. It may encourage adolescents to read." Maybe that's why it tugged at my heart."

Regardless of the NYX  review I found the book riveting. Set during the holocaust and narrated by "Death," the novel is gripping as are most stories set during that horrific time.  

The author's words were powerful, yet realistic. 

I'm so glad I read it before I saw the movie!