The Origin of All the Light We Cannot See: A Book Inspired Masterpiece
Discover the captivating origins of the new Netflix limited series, All the Light We Cannot See We unveil the intriguing storyline behind the novel that inspired this mesmerizing adaptation
Netflix is premiering a high-budget four-part series called All the Light We Cannot See this week. However, it remains unclear whether this period drama is adapted from a book. Twin producers Shawn Levy and Steven Knight are the masterminds behind this production, set against the backdrop of World War II. The official synopsis of the series is as follows:
The story of Marie-Laure Leblanc, a blind girl seeking shelter with her father and reclusive uncle in St. Malo, France, unfolds in "All the Light We Cannot See." She forms an unlikely bond with Werner, a gifted teenager recruited by Hitler's regime for his skills in radio repair. Their connection becomes a guiding light as they navigate the tumultuous landscape of World War II. Levy helms all four episodes of this series, which stars Louis Hofmann, Lars Eidinger, Marion Bailey, Hugh Laurie, Mark Ruffalo, and introduces newcomer Aria Mia Loberti.
Is All the Light We Cannot See based on a book?
Yes, All the Light We Cannot See is based on a novel of the same name by Anthony Doerr. The book was published in 2014 and went on to win the Pulitzer Prize.
Levy indulged in the tome back then, expressing to Netflix: "The most vivid memory I have is consuming the book, while being completely engrossed by its cross-cutting framework and its exploration of innocence amidst darkness, and hope amidst evil."
He recalls thinking, "I must create this book. It is my aspiration." However, the novel was already being adapted into a movie at the time, so Levy had to exercise patience. When the film project fell through, he proposed a television series, explaining, "There is too much story to be condensed into a two-hour film. The expansive duration of a limited series would allow us to properly do justice to the original material. It would bring the novel to life in its truest form, rather than compromising the story to fit a specific runtime or format."
This approach delighted the author of the book, Doerr, who expressed his approval to Netflix: "I was thrilled that Shawn envisioned transforming the story into a limited series. It offered a longer format, granting more breathing space, which allowed for a harmonious balance between the intense, gripping moments and the tender, day-to-day experiences."
What is the novel about?
The book and the series share a similar plot, with the official synopsis of the novel stating the following: "For Marie-Laure, who has been blind since the age of six, the world is filled with intricate mazes. These include a miniature model of a Paris neighborhood meticulously crafted by her father to guide her way home, the microscopic layers within a priceless diamond that her father protects at the Museum of Natural History, a fortified seaside city where father and daughter seek refuge when the Nazis occupy Paris, and a future that brings her closer to Werner, a German orphan destined for backbreaking labor in the mines until an opportunity arises when a broken radio breathes new life into him and catches the attention of the Hitler Youth."
All the Light We Cannot see drops on Netflix on November 2, 2023. For more TV & Movies coverage, head here.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I am excited about the upcoming Netflix limited series, All the Light We Cannot See. The story is set against the backdrop of World War II and follows the lives of two young people, Marie-Laure Leblanc and Werner Pfennig. Marie-Laure is a blind French girl who lives with her father in Saint-Malo. Werner is a German boy who is recruited by the Hitler Youth. The two characters form an unlikely bond as they navigate the challenges of the war.
I am drawn to this story because it is a reminder of the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity. Marie-Laure and Werner are both faced with incredible challenges, but they never give up hope. Their story is one of hope, love, and the power of the human spirit. I think this series will resonate with Gen Z viewers because it is a story about young people who are trying to find their place in the world. Marie-Laure and Werner are both outsiders, but they find strength in each other. Their story is a reminder that we are all connected, and that we can all find hope in the darkest of times.
