Book Cover

“So how, children, does the brain, which lives without a spark of light, build for us a world full of light?”

# Review

I don't typically read historical fiction (non-fiction history is interesting enough), but this book was highly recommended to me by multiple people, and I'm glad to have read it.

When one writes a novel, especially fiction and especially in the information-rich times of today, there are two extremities: on one end of the spectrum is where the narration is fact-driven, dry, mechanical, like a scientific textbook, on the other end of the spectrum is where the narrative is overly descriptive, a Flaubert-esque flowery flow of words which may cause the pace of the narration to be too slow for the easily distracted readers of today.

I found Doerr to have hit the ideal median between the two extremities; the narration was captivating and the entire novel was set in the backdrop of powerful and eerily beautiful imagery; the entire experience felt like reading a Monet painting. A sublime work of art, and a must-read for any fan of historical fiction!

One qualm I have with the book, however, was the ending. Without spoiling anything, the ending was way too short in my opinion. The entire book was building up to the climax, and the climax was very underwhelming and unsatisfying. Perhaps it was intentional, as oftentimes in real life, things can be underwhelming; this novel, however, is fantasy, and should have a fantastical ending.

# Conclusion

It's a carefully constructed book with an enthralling story, compelling narration, and fascinating characters.

# Overall rating: 8.2

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