1. The book opens with two epigraphs. How do these quotes set the
scene for the rest of the book? Discuss how the radio plays a major part
in the story and the time period. How do you think the impact of the
radio back then compares with the impact of the Internet on today’s
society?
2. The narration moves back and forth both in time and between different
characters. How did this affect your reading experience? How do you
think the experience would have been different if the story had been
told entirely in chronological order?
3. Whose story did you enjoy the most? Was there any character you
wanted more insight into?
4. When Werner and Jutta first hear the Frenchman on the radio, he
concludes his broadcast by saying “Open your eyes and see what you
can with them before they close forever” (pages 48–49), and Werner
recalls these words throughout the book (pages 86, 264, and 409). How do
you think this phrase relates to the overall message of the story? How
does it relate to Madame Manec’s question: “Don’t you want to be alive
before you die?” (page 270)?
5. On page 160, Marie-Laure realizes “This...is the basis of his fear,
all fear. That a light you are powerless to stop will turn on you and
usher a bullet to its mark.” How does this image constitute the most
general basis of all fear? Do you agree?
6. Reread Madame Manec’s boiling frog analogy on page 284. Etienne later
asks Marie-Laure, “Who was supposed to be the frog? Her? Or the
Germans?” (page 328) Who did you think Madame Manec meant? Could it have
been someone other than herself or the Germans? What does it say about
Etienne that he doesn’t consider himself to be the frog?
7. On page 368, Werner thinks, “That is how things are...with everybody
in this unit, in this army, in this world, they do as they’re told, they
get scared, they move about with only themselves in mind. Name me
someone who does not.” But in fact many of the characters show great
courage and selflessness throughout the story in some way, big or small.
Talk about the different ways they put themselves at risk in order to do
what they think is right. What do you think were some shining moments?
Who did you admire most?
8. On page 390, the author writes, “To shut your eyes is to guess
nothing of blindness.” What did you learn or realize about blindness
through Marie-Laure’s perspective? Do you think her being blind gave her
any advantages?
9. One of Werner’s bravest moments is when he confronts von Rumpel: “All
your life you wait, and then it finally comes, and are you ready?” (page
465) Have you ever had a moment like that? Were you ready? What would
you say that moment is for some of the other characters?
10. Why do you think Marie-Laure gave Werner the little iron key? Why
might Werner have gone back for the wooden house but left the Sea of
Flames?
11. Von Rumpel seemed to believe in the power of the Sea of Flames, but
was it truly a supernatural object or was it merely a gemstone at the
center of coincidence? Do you think it brought any protection to
Marie-Laure and/or bad luck to those she loved?
12. When Werner and Marie-Laure discuss the unknown fate of Captain Nemo
at the end of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Marie-Laure
suggests the open-endedness is intentional and meant to make us wonder
(page 472). Are there any unanswered questions from this story that you
think are meant to make us wonder?
13. The 1970s image of Jutta is one of a woman deeply guilt-ridden and
self-conscious about her identity as a German. Why do you think she
feels so much guilt over the crimes of others? Can you relate to this?
Do you think she should feel any shame about her identity?
14. What do you think of the author’s decision to flash forward at the
end of the book? Did you like getting a peek into the future of some of
these characters? Did anything surprise you?
15. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn once wrote that “the line dividing good and
evil cuts through the heart of every human being.” All the Light We
Cannot See is filled with examples of human nature at its best and
worst. Discuss the themes of good versus evil throughout the story. How
do they drive each other? What do you think are the ultimate lessons
that these characters and the resolution of their stories teach us?