All the Light We Cannot See

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• World War II literature is one of the most popular subgenres of war literature. How does this novel distinguish itself from the crowd?
• Did you find the end of the novel hopeful, sad, or a mix of both? Why?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• Though Marie-Laure and Werner are growing up amid the chaos of World War II, they also face many challenges typical to young people. Did you notice any similarities between the struggles of the two protagonists and your own coming-of-age experience?
• Marie-Laure is 16 years old in the 1944 timeline, yet she finds small ways to defy the Nazi regime. In what ways, large or small, have you been able to push back against injustice in your own life?
• Marie-Laure’s life is significantly shaped by the mentorship first of her father, Daniel, and then her great-uncle, Etienne, though they have very different styles of guardianship. Has a mentor ever significantly impacted your life? Were they more like Daniel or Etienne?
• Marie-Laure finds comfort and escape in books written in braille, especially Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.