What are the defining moments in our lives? Nine
revenants from the once-proud collection of USA war (and pre-war) babies gathered at the Private Rosch Memorial to discuss WW II, WW I, and 2014. Is it not true that The Great Depression and World War II were the defining events for our parents' lives, and thus directly molded our lives? What was to like, what was not to
like about Anthony Doerr’s tome of young Werner and younger Marie-Laure? Why do we read? The revenants spoke their peace:
Charlie:
I really enjoyed the book, and give it an A. The characters were well developed. I read it slowly, so as not to miss any of
the beauty. Not as long as the page
count indicates, with big print, lots of white space.
Mike:
Why do we read? I think we read: 1) to
learn, and 2) to entertain ourselves.
Both of those objectives are admittedly subjective, but I found that
this book worked well for me on both those levels.
Yes, there was some plot contrivance, and yes, some was predictable
(didn’t you just know that Sgt Major Rumpel was going to die from his cancer the
moment he achieved the Sea of Flames?), but hey, a good A book. I loved the way Werner was ‘discovered’ for
his radio repair talents – makes me think of how many geniuses have been born
and died without having come to the forefront of human achievement.
Ron Bousek:
Let me read to you from the last
chapter [2014]: old people, young people
(page 529). The grandson’s games on the
computer, his moped. The electromagnetic
waves are indeed within the light we cannot see. I give it an A. Well written, I liked the short chapters.
Bob Woods:
I would give it an A. Unusual
book, interesting job of organizing.
Sympathetic characters. Up until the 50s or early 60s, ham radio enthusiasts would create their own equipment. The author understood about radio
and electronics. Refreshing – A
Ken Gillen:
I thought it was a well written book – interesting story line,
interesting characters. Some frustration
with the back and forth (to and from August 8, 1944), but overall A
Rob E:
I violated my own rules: I read
the blurbs on the back before reading the book.
I read it mostly this week, mostly in the last 48 hours, somewhat superficially. I got wrapped up in it and enjoyed it. I didn’t mind the jumping around. Still hurrying to read late this
afternoon. I liked it a lot – creative. It justifies the blurbs on the back
cover. I’ll go along with the
group: A
Dick Arms:
Sounds like we’re all on the same page [529]. I had no trouble with the jumping
around. I was impressed with the
writing. The descriptions were
tremendous, and the way he got into the young girl’s mind. This young author [42] is going places. I like the short chapters which read as
vignettes. Skillfully done: A
Keith:
I didn’t get a copy of the book.
I’m looking into the paranormal and magnetic therapy. I’ve made some headbands that help me
sleep. Charlie will tell you we have a
pineal gland in our brain that produces the melatonin to help us sleep, and the magnetic fields may affect this. After being besieged by about 25 beautiful
women, I’m creating more of these headbands.
Dick Jensen:
I read this book when it first came out, and read it again last
week. I loved it the first time, and
equally the second. A great story,
characters. I give it an A or
A+. The dessert is from the Swiss Alps Bakery on San Pedro
at Candelaria.
... and from well outside of Saint-Malo:
Dear Dick,
I am so sorry I won't be able to join the discussion of your book choice next week. It should be a fascinating discussion of a haunting story. I am in Southeast Asia and will be in Da Nang on Thursday probably looking for what was once known as China Beach.
I found ALL THE LIGHT WE CANNOT SEE very engaging and one of the best books we have read in a long time. The novel reflected an exceptional depth of knowledge of place, time and human nature. I was taken in by the strength of Marie-Laure's character just as her great-uncle Etienne was and wondered about my own moral strength when reading about how Werner struggled when he faced his dilemmas. Doerr’s ability as a writer is exceptional. He is a true craftsman in the way he uses the language. I found his descriptions of places and people and his metaphors and analogies very powerful. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will recommend it highly to my friends. A
Warm regards,
Jack
Dear Dick:
I will again find myself drinking wine instead in Taos instead of engaging in stimulating conversation with you on Thursday.
I enjoyed the book very much after I got used to the tennis match swings of the plot organization. I liked the poetics of Doerr as well as his insight into human nature. Rather like "How Green was My Valley" in feel, temperament, and poetic quality,
Unfortunately, the plot dealt with coming of age as a Nazi rather than in the Welsh coal fields, so not my favorite era. I don't need to be reminded of how brutishly cruel the Nazis were. I have been told and seen enough stories to fill a hundred books of horror stories.
I also realized that there was some method to in the initially maddening plot shifts from one character to another and one location to another location. Sort of like a Shakespeare play on steroids with an ending like Thomas Hardy's, where all the plot lines merge into a glorious finish.
I give it an A-.
Cheers,
Bob
Related source material highly recommended by members:
Führer & The Fog by Poetlaureate, Last Thursday Book Club. Epic poem (2001; 1 page). Members can read for free here.
