Anthony Doerr

Stories

The Shell Collector

A Novel

About Grace

On Twins, Insomnia, and the Biggest Funeral in the History of the World

Four Seasons in Rome

Winter Reading

Tin House

Memory Wall

The 50 Best Historical Fiction Books of All Time — Barnes & Noble Reads

60 Best Historical Fiction Novels of All Time | Reedsy Discovery

The narrative revolves around three key characters whose lives intertwine amid the chaos of the German bombardment of the French town of Saint-Malo in August 1944. The first of these is Marie-Laure Leblanc, a Parisian girl who loses her sight at a young age. Her locksmith father, Daniel Leblanc, crafts a miniature replica of their neighborhood to help her navigate the world independently. They flee to Saint-Malo, to live with her great-uncle Etienne and his housekeeper Madame Manec, to escape the impending German invasion in 1940. Unknown to Marie-Laure, Daniel carries a valuable artifact, a replica of the mythical diamond, the Sea of Flames, originally housed in the Museum of Natural History. On reaching Saint-Malo, Daniel hides the diamond in the replica of Etienne’s house, but is later imprisoned and dies in a German camp.

Meanwhile, Madame Manec initiates resistance against the German oppressors, an effort joined by Etienne and Marie-Laure. Etienne wields a hidden radio transmitter in his house, which he had once used to broadcast science programs for children. Now, it serves to relay encrypted messages to sabotage the German war effort, a beacon of hope for the oppressed. Parallelly, Werner Pfennig, an orphan from Germany with exceptional mathematical and technical prowess, is inducted into a specialized training school. Werner's world changes drastically as he repairs and rebuilds electronics while witnessing the violent Nazi ideology. Eventually, he ends up on the front lines, investigating illegal radio activity.

Werner, along with fellow soldier Volkheimer, arrives in Saint-Malo in 1944 and recognizes the mysterious voice from his childhood broadcasts. Simultaneously, Nazi official von Rumpel is on a frantic quest for the Sea of Flames, driven by his cancer diagnosis and the diamond's rumored immortality granting properties. During the bombing of Saint-Malo, Marie-Laure, alone at her house, hides in the attic with the diamond and Etienne’s radio transmitter. Werner, trapped under a collapsed building, intercepts her broadcasts. Werner manages to escape, confronts von Rumpel, and incidentally kills him. He then aids Marie-Laure to safety, after which they part ways. Marie-Laure leaves the diamond in a hidden cavern, gifting the key to Werner, who dies after accidentally stepping on a landmine. The diamond's fate remains a mystery, likely washed away by the sea, as the narrative closes with Marie-Laure's successful life as a scientist.

All the Light We Cannot See

Cloud Cuckoo Land

Anthony Doerr Books in Order (7 Book Series)

The Shell Collector

Stories

About Grace

A Novel

Four Seasons in Rome

On Twins, Insomnia, and the Biggest Funeral in the History of the World

Tin House

Winter Reading

Memory Wall

Stories

All the Light We Cannot See

A Novel

Cloud Cuckoo Land

A Novel

What To Read Next

Anthony Doerr Books in Order (7 Book Series)

The Shell Collector

Stories

About Grace

A Novel

Four Seasons in Rome

On Twins, Insomnia, and the Biggest Funeral in the History of the World

Tin House

Winter Reading

Memory Wall

Stories

All the Light We Cannot See

A Novel

Cloud Cuckoo Land

A Novel

What To Read Next

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