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Adina (way behind on reviews, no notifications) 's Reviews > All the Light We Cannot See
All the Light We Cannot See
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Adina (way behind on reviews, no notifications) 's review
bookshelves: historical-fiction, pulitzer-winners, book-club, france, us
Jun 06, 2018
bookshelves: historical-fiction, pulitzer-winners, book-club, france, us
How do I review a novel that most of my friends loved but left me mainly indifferent. Again, I have a case when I feel guilty for not liking a book more and trying to figure out what is wrong with me. Since that failed I will try my luck explaining what this novel did or didn’t do for me.
Firstly, the writing. It is beautiful, intricate, full of elegant, well thought sentences. However, they let me untouched. I don’t know why but I did not feel anything when reading those polished words. Maybe, as others also mentioned, the author struggled too hard to impress and it had the opposite effect on me.
Secondly, the characters. They felt too flat, too likeable without risking any emotion or treat that could make them more interesting and complex. I still enjoyed reading about them, but I fell like their personalities were too subtle.
Talking about subtlety, this novel did not really feel like it was addressing one of the most terrible periods in the World’s history. All the bad things were toned down, in my opinion. Maybe because this novel is in essence a YA story. That’s not a bad thing but maybe if I had known that from the beginning I would have had different expectations.
The search for the mythical diamond felt a bit weird and introduced in the plot by forced but It did not bother me that much.
I liked reading the novel at times but when I closed the book, I was in no hurry to restart. The short chapters did not help as I had no problem to close the book after 2 pages, especially at night. The short chapters also kept me on the outside of the plot and the characters. However, it was a light, fast read and I do not regret the time spent with it.
Firstly, the writing. It is beautiful, intricate, full of elegant, well thought sentences. However, they let me untouched. I don’t know why but I did not feel anything when reading those polished words. Maybe, as others also mentioned, the author struggled too hard to impress and it had the opposite effect on me.
Secondly, the characters. They felt too flat, too likeable without risking any emotion or treat that could make them more interesting and complex. I still enjoyed reading about them, but I fell like their personalities were too subtle.
Talking about subtlety, this novel did not really feel like it was addressing one of the most terrible periods in the World’s history. All the bad things were toned down, in my opinion. Maybe because this novel is in essence a YA story. That’s not a bad thing but maybe if I had known that from the beginning I would have had different expectations.
The search for the mythical diamond felt a bit weird and introduced in the plot by forced but It did not bother me that much.
I liked reading the novel at times but when I closed the book, I was in no hurry to restart. The short chapters did not help as I had no problem to close the book after 2 pages, especially at night. The short chapters also kept me on the outside of the plot and the characters. However, it was a light, fast read and I do not regret the time spent with it.
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Reading Progress
July 8, 2014
– Shelved as:
to-read
July 8, 2014
– Shelved
October 6, 2014
– Shelved as:
historical-fiction
April 21, 2015
– Shelved as:
pulitzer-winners
January 27, 2016
– Shelved as:
book-club
May 23, 2018
–
Started Reading
June 6, 2018
–
Finished Reading
October 8, 2018
– Shelved as:
france
October 10, 2018
– Shelved as:
us
Comments Showing 1-50 of 85 (85 new)
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Michelle
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May 24, 2018 09:28AM
I really want to read this!
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"Happy Reading L💕ve 💙💋
Michelle wrote: "I really want to read this!" me too, but everything I pick it up i fall asleep after one chapter. And they are 2 pages long. I got to p25 after 2 weeks. :))
❤️ Paulette wrote: ""Happy Reading L💕ve 💙💋" Thank you.
Adina wrote: "❤️ Paulette wrote: ""Happy Reading L💕ve 💙💋" Thank you."Always pleasure L💕ve 💙💋
Deepu wrote: "How is it going?" It's alright but Iam not in love.
"I liked reading the novel at times but when I closed the book, I was in no hurry to restart. "I concur! These are the hardest books for me to review as well. I really like how well you explained its shortcommings. My initial impulse is always to blame the ever elusive "je ne sais quoi" and be done with it.
I understand the guilt! Although I haven’t read this one yet, there have been others people absolutely rave about and have left me thinking ‘eh, it was okay’. A fair review, with some good insights. This one is on my TBR so I guess I’ll see how I go personally
I am right with you on the indifferent level with this one.
I did love this book but can understand how you felt about it. With me I have to be in the right mood to read certain types of book ............... Great review Btw :)
Never feel guilty for an honest reaction, especially when you're not blind to the good qualities. Like you, I wish I'd realised it was YA before I started.
Ms. Smartarse wrote: ""I liked reading the novel at times but when I closed the book, I was in no hurry to restart. "I concur! These are the hardest books for me to review as well. I really like how well you explained..." I have the same impulse but then i try to pay attention and try to understand why i feel this way. However, it doesn't always work :)).
Trina wrote: "I understand the guilt! Although I haven’t read this one yet, there have been others people absolutely rave about and have left me thinking ‘eh, it was okay’. A fair review, with some good insights..." You should check it out as many rave about it. Unfortunately, It happened a few times not to be impressed by books that everybody loved.
Marialyce wrote: "I am right with you on the indifferent level with this one." I read your review, glad i am not the only one.
Aldo wrote: "Shame on you ! Just kidding" ;)
Richard wrote: "I did love this book but can understand how you felt about it. With me I have to be in the right mood to read certain types of book ............... Great review Btw :)" Maybe the mood wasn't right, you might be on to something.
Cecily wrote: "Never feel guilty for an honest reaction, especially when you're not blind to the good qualities. Like you, I wish I'd realised it was YA before I started." I will try not to. :) When I read the Book Thief i was prepared about the YA factor and i enjoyed it a lot.
I also rated it a 3 star. It may be a 5 star book compared to others, but it had the potential to be so much better with just a few changes, imo.
It happens to all of us - a book that everyone seems to love just doesn't work for us on the same level. Next!
I loved this book, but you described your experience perfectly. Every book hits every reader differently. Great review.
Adina, I liked your review, despite the fact that for once, I had enjoyed this book. I do not think you should feel guilty about your feelings. I too often find myself in the same situation. In fact, I just wrote a "mini review" of a book I abandoned which seemed universally well-liked. We often seem to be in that position where our opinions differ from most people's.
Your review is appreciated as I have this book to read after "Feathers" and won't be disappointed if it is a letdown. Thanx.
I too liked the book, but your review is fair. Thankfully we all like different things, and I had my fair share of books that everybody else loved but I didn't.Or books that I hated the 1st time around and ended up rating them 5 stars on the 2nd read.
Hope you'll have better luck with your next read - there are tons of great books out there. Happy reading!
Ioana wrote: "I too liked the book, but your review is fair. Thankfully we all like different things, and I had my fair share of books that everybody else loved but I didn't.Or books that I hated the 1st time a..."
That is what I like about Goodreads! We respect each others' opinions- without criticizing.
Good review. I’m looking forward to reading this soon.
I felt it shallow. Just beatiful, empty words there. 3 stars from me as well.
Kenny wrote: "I also rated it a 3 star. It may be a 5 star book compared to others, but it had the potential to be so much better with just a few changes, imo." Exactly
Bianca wrote: "It happens to all of us - a book that everyone seems to love just doesn't work for us on the same level. Next!" Thankfully, my next one might be a much needed 5*. My last one was in February.
Kevin wrote: "I loved this book, but you described your experience perfectly. Every book hits every reader differently. Great review." Thank you for the understanding :)
Barbara wrote: "Adina, I liked your review, despite the fact that for once, I had enjoyed this book. I do not think you should feel guilty about your feelings. I too often find myself in the same situation. In fac..." Haha, there had to be a book that we do not agree. :) I hope your next read will be more engaging and you will not have to abandon it.
Markus wrote: "Thanks for the review, Adina." You're welcome, Markus
Helio wrote: "Your review is appreciated as I have this book to read after "Feathers" and won't be disappointed if it is a letdown. Thanx." it might even positively surprise you now.
Ioana wrote: "I too liked the book, but your review is fair. Thankfully we all like different things, and I had my fair share of books that everybody else loved but I didn't.Or books that I hated the 1st time a..." Thank you for the understanding however, there is no way I am re-reading this or any book I do not like too much. Actually, i don't normally re-read anything with a few exceptions. I want to re-read Nutshell by Mc Ewan at some point but i guess that's it.
Barbara wrote: "Ioana wrote: "I too liked the book, but your review is fair. Thankfully we all like different things, and I had my fair share of books that everybody else loved but I didn't.Or books that I hated ..." True Barbara. That's why I like it here as well. However, it is not always so. Try writing and rating something without finishing to book to unleash the haters. Not many but enough to ruin your day.
Sandra wrote: "Good review. I’m looking forward to reading this soon." Thank you. i hope you will enjoy it more than i did (you probably will) .
Adriana wrote: "I felt it shallow. Just beatiful, empty words there. 3 stars from me as well." Exactly, empty words, well said.
Adina wrote: "I want to re-read Nutshell by Mc Ewan at some point "I haven't read that, hmmm...now you made me curious about it. The book I want to re-read is The Master and Margarita. But I absolutely loved it the first time, and I'm afraid I would feel differently now.
I've bought this book recently and I really want to read it as soon as I finish my exams. I want to see if it meets my expectations.
Thanks for the review. I could not get into it at all, while it appeared the rest of the world loved it. Glad I am not alone.
Ioana wrote: "Adina wrote: "I want to re-read Nutshell by Mc Ewan at some point "I haven't read that, hmmm...now you made me curious about it. The book I want to re-read is [book:The Master and Margarita|11783..." The M and the M has been in my library for a while but i am a bit afraid to read it. i hope i will understand the allegory.
Beauty wrote: "I've bought this book recently and I really want to read it as soon as I finish my exams. I want to see if it meets my expectations." i hope it will. Enjoy!
Edward wrote: "Thanks for the review. I could not get into it at all, while it appeared the rest of the world loved it. Glad I am not alone." I am glad as well. It is impossible for all people to love a book.
I agree with much of what you've stated in your fine review and I appreciate your candor. I was puzzled because I wasn't in love with this novel in the same way as my book group was. It was too romanticized (for a war novel) to me.
Carol wrote: "I agree with much of what you've stated in your fine review and I appreciate your candor. I was puzzled because I wasn't in love with this novel in the same way as my book group was. It was too rom..." Glad you agree with me. If feels lonely when you feel like you are the only one not in love with a book.
Agreed. I felt this way about some short stories I had read by him as well: beautiful writing but mystifying or inconclusive endings which left me flat.
Christine wrote: "Agreed. I felt this way about some short stories I had read by him as well: beautiful writing but mystifying or inconclusive endings which left me flat." Thank you for commenting. Glad I am not the only one with this opinion.
Thank you for your review. I am glad you pointed out the almost antiseptic feeling of the war scenes. I thought he did that to center the focus on the main characters but your explanation of it being a Young Adult book makes more sense. Any review, such as this one which expands my knowledge is appreciated.
Daniel wrote: "Thank you for your review. I am glad you pointed out the almost antiseptic feeling of the war scenes. I thought he did that to center the focus on the main characters but your explanation of it bei..." Thanks. It was the feeling this novel gave me although I haven’t read that many YA books.
