The Major Departures in All The Light We Cannot See: Exploring 10 Significant Book Changes

Spoilers ahead for both the show and book versions of All the Light We Cannot See, including the endings.

Article Overview

Netflix's adaptation of

All the Light We Cannot See

Introducing new characters and expanding the cast, this miniseries brings depth to the main characters. It portrays a more violent encounter between Werner and Marie, deviating from the peaceful version depicted in the novel.

Hugh Laurie's character Etienne takes on a more prominent role in the miniseries adaptation of All the Light We Cannot See, as a member of the French resistance. This change adds depth to his relationship with Marie and increases his importance in her life.

Netflix's adaptation of Anthony Doerr's 2014 novel, All the Light We Cannot See, has made significant alterations in its transition from page to screen. The original source material, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and remained on The New York Times Best Seller list for over 200 weeks, practically demanded a screen adaptation. Just like the novel, Netflix's miniseries of All the Light We Cannot See weaves together the intertwined narratives of Marie-Laure LeBlanc, a blind French teenager portrayed by Aria Mia Loberti, and Werner Pfennig, a young German man reluctantly thrust into the Nazi army, played by Louis Hofmann.

The cast of the four-part World War II epic includes Lars Eidinger as Reinhold von Rumpel, a German sergeant major responsible for assessing stolen art and jewelry. Hugh Laurie portrays Etienne LeBlanc, a reclusive veteran grappling with post-traumatic stress, while Mark Ruffalo takes on the role of Daniel LeBlanc, Marie's father and a museum locksmith by profession. Although Netflix's All the Light We Cannot See miniseries has faced criticism for its occasionally awkward and jarring shifts in tone, it falls short of the acclaimed novel it is based on, partly due to significant changes made to the book.

10. Netflix's All The Light We Cannot See Has A Larger Cast Of Characters

While Doerr's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is substantial in length, the Netflix miniseries falls just short of five hours. In order to fully justify its considerable runtime, the adaptation of All the Light We Cannot See as a four-part series incorporates a larger ensemble cast compared to the book. Consequently, numerous original characters are introduced, including Werner's comrade Schmidt and Jacqueline, von Rumpel's lover who is also involved in the anti-Nazi resistance. According to series director Shawn Levy, Doerr deemed the addition of these new personalities "highly effective" in enhancing the development and complexity of the main characters in the project (via Entertainment Weekly).

9. Werner's Discovery Of Marie-Laure Is Plagued By Violence

In the novel, Werner, who studied radio technology, listens to the educational broadcasts sent out by Marie's great-uncle, the shell-shocked Etienne. Werner manages to track down the signal of Etienne's broadcast, but chooses not to share this information with his squad. Conversely, Netflix's miniseries presents a more violence-laden approach to Werner's discovery of Marie. Upon learning about Werner's habit of tuning into the illicit broadcasts, Schmidt forces Werner into a situation where he has no option but to take the life of his fellow soldier. This series of events compels Captain Mueller, an additional character, to coerce Werner into guiding him to the presumed whereabouts of Marie. Once again, Werner resorts to killing to safeguard the LeBlanc family.

8. Hugh Laurie's Etienne Plays A Much Larger Role In The Miniseries

In the Netflix series, Hugh Laurie's character, Etienne, plays a more prominent role as Marie's great-uncle and a World War I veteran suffering from shell shock. Just like in the series, Etienne transmits educational broadcasts previously recorded by his late brother, a pre-war professor. Initially, he faces wrongful arrest on terrorism charges in the novel but is later freed from Fort National, leading to a heartfelt reunion with Marie. The miniseries adaptation of All the Light We Cannot See expands on Etienne's involvement as an active member of the French resistance, further shaping Marie's life.

7. There Is Only One Sea Of Flames In The Show

Mark Ruffalo portrays Daniel LeBlanc, Marie's father, who is a skilled locksmith at the Museum of Natural History in Paris in both versions of All the Light We Cannot See. In both iterations, Marie learns about the Sea of Flames, a diamond hidden within the museum that is believed to have the ability to grant immortality but brings about constant misfortune to loved ones. To break the curse, the diamond must be thrown into the ocean.

As the Nazis invade France, Marie and Daniel seek refuge at Etienne's home in the coastal town of Saint-Malo. Before leaving, the museum entrusts Daniel with either the genuine Sea of Flames or one of the three replicas created to protect the diamond. However, in the Netflix adaptation, only one Sea of Flames is included, as the duplicate diamond subplot is completely removed by the creators of the show. This alteration also affects how the Sea of Flames storyline unfolds in the miniseries, including the timing and manner in which Marie discovers the gem.

6. Werner's Friendship With Frederick Is Cut

Miniseries director Shawn Levy intentionally excluded "deeply upsetting scenes" from their TV adaptation, as mentioned in multiple interviews (via Entertainment Weekly). This decision was understandable as it would have been more challenging to watch these scenes rather than read about them. However, as a result, certain significant plotlines from the novel were also eliminated. One example is the bond between Werner and Frederick, a fellow student who is mercilessly attacked by their peers until he suffers from amnesia. This disturbing outcome for Frederick not only adds depth to his character but also impacts Werner's relationships and experiences.

5. The Show Kills Off Etienne

In the novel All the Light We Cannot See, Etienne is spared from death by Doerr. Despite being wrongly accused and imprisoned for crimes he did not commit, the veteran eventually reunites with Marie after his release. Their reunion becomes a heartwarming moment amidst the ongoing devastation, as Etienne has had a significant influence on Marie's life, connecting her to Werner. Interestingly, the miniseries takes a different approach. Here, Etienne is an active member of the French resistance and tragically loses his life during a bombing carried out by U.S. forces. In his final moments, he imparts a crucial message to Werner, urging him to protect his great-niece.

4. Madame Manec's Miniseries Role Is Different From The Book

While portrayed by Marion Bailey in the miniseries, Madame Manec plays the same role in the book and show, but there are some changes in the details - perhaps for the better. Like in the novel, Madame Manec is an inspiring member of the French resistance, boldly fighting for liberation. However, in the series, Madame Manec is not just Etienne's housekeeper and maid; she is presented as Etienne's sister. This small difference in Madame Manec's relationship to Etienne may have been what prompted Knight and Levy to have him join the resistance.

3. Reinhold von Rumpel's Killer Changes Between The Book & Show

Werner's mission in the series involves eliminating Nazis, such as Schmidt and Captain Mueller. He takes on this deadly responsibility to ensure the safety of Marie and Etienne. Given this plotline, it is understandable that the miniseries alters the original story by changing Reinhold von Rumpel's murderer. In the novel, von Rumpel engages in a fight with Werner and meets his demise at the hands of the young man. However, in Netflix's adaptation of All the Light We Cannot See, von Rumpel confronts both Marie and Werner. Ultimately, it is Marie who ends von Rumpel's life by shooting him with Etienne's gun, who is unfortunately no longer alive. Considering Etienne's absence and Werner's multiple acts of heroism in saving Marie, this tweak creates a more gratifying conclusion.

2. Netflix's All The Light We Cannot See Has A More Hopeful Ending

The aftermath of the Battle of Saint-Malo is a major departure from the novel in the miniseries. In the book, Marie and Werner escape to a flooded grotto, where Marie returns the Sea of Flames to the ocean. She gives Werner the key to the grotto, but he is captured and sent to a prisoner-of-war camp. Eventually, Werner dies from a landmine explosion. However, the miniseries takes a more hopeful approach.

Instead of fleeing to the grotto, Marie takes Werner to Etienne's broadcast area after shooting von Rumpel. There, Werner sends a message to his sister, Jutta, through the radio. Afterward, Marie and Werner express their feelings for each other and share a kiss. Marie encourages Werner to surrender in order to avoid being killed, promising that her broadcasts will help them reunite in the future. "Although it is not a happy ending, I wanted to end with a promise of hope," Levy shared with Entertainment Weekly.

1. The Show Completely Cuts The Novel's Epilogue

After the death of Werner, the novel fast forwards in time. In the book's epilogue, which takes place 30 years later, Werner's friend locates his sister, Jutta, and presents her with Werner's belongings. Among these items is a miniature version of the LeBlanc house. Upon realizing that her brother may have been infatuated with the girl residing in the actual house, Jutta pays a visit to Marie. During their meeting, Marie uncovers a hidden key to the grotto hidden within the model. The epilogue of "All the Light We Cannot See" then jumps forward once again to the year 2014, concluding with a scene featuring Marie and her grandchild.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I have mixed feelings about the changes made in the Netflix adaptation of All the Light We Cannot See. On the one hand, I appreciate the expansion of the cast and the introduction of new characters, such as Schmidt and Jacqueline. These additions add depth to the main characters and provide a more nuanced portrayal of the war. I also enjoyed the more prominent role given to Etienne, as it fleshes out his character and his relationship with Marie.

On the other hand, I am disappointed by the omission of the novel's epilogue. This section provides a glimpse into the characters' lives after the war and offers a sense of closure that is missing from the series. Additionally, I feel that the changes made to Werner's character arc, particularly his encounter with Schmidt, make him less sympathetic and more one-dimensional. Overall, I think the Netflix adaptation is a solid adaptation of the novel, but it does not quite live up to the original.