All the Light We Cannot See

Marie-Laure lives with her father in Paris, close to the Museum of Natural History, where her father is in charge of the museum's countless locks. When she loses her sight at the age of six, her father creates a detailed miniature model of their neighborhood. This allows Marie-Laure to learn and recognize her surroundings through touch, enabling her to find her way home independently. By the time she turns twelve, World War II reaches Paris with the Nazi occupation, prompting Marie-Laure and her father to seek refuge in the fortified town of Saint-Malo. They move in with her reclusive great-uncle, who resides in a tall house overlooking the sea, taking with them a potentially priceless and dangerous jewel from the museum. Meanwhile, in Germany, an orphan named Werner grows up in a mining town with his younger sister. They are captivated by an old radio they discover, and Werner becomes skilled at repairing these devices. His expertise earns him a place at a harsh academy for Hitler Youth, and eventually he is assigned to track resistance efforts. As Werner becomes increasingly aware of the moral implications of his work, his journey takes him deep into the war and eventually to Saint-Malo, where his path intersect with Marie-Laure's. Anthony Doerr's writing is celebrated for its vivid imagery and beautiful metaphors, capturing the tension and humanity of this wartime narrative.