Unveiling the Truth: All the Light We Cannot See's Origins
Discover the captivating world of 'All the Light We Cannot See', an upcoming Netflix limited series based on the best-selling book Uncover the inspiration behind the story, meet the intriguing protagonists, explore the historical backdrop of the Battle of Saint-Malo, and delve into the mysterious Sea of Flames History comes alive in this must-watch series
The Big Picture
Netflix's adaptation of All the Light We Cannot See is set to premiere in November, bringing to life the widely acclaimed Pulitzer Prize-winning novel.
A novel of historical fiction, set in World War II and based on true events, delves into the resilience of the French city of Saint-Malo and the influential force of mass communication. Through the intertwined lives of Marie-Laure and Werner, the story unfolds amidst the backdrop of the Battle of Saint-Malo, exposing the significance of radio broadcasting during the war. Additionally, the novel explores the profound effects of war on civilians and the intricate nature of heroism.
In April, Netflix released the first trailer for its highly anticipated adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel All the Light We Cannot See, set to premiere on the streaming platform in November. Originally published in 2014, All the Light We Cannot See sold over 15 million copies and received numerous literary accolades. Its remarkable 200-week run on the New York Times Bestseller List is a testament to the profound impact author Anthony Doerr's work had on readers worldwide. Nearly ten years after its publication, this limited series, directed by Shawn Levy and written by Steven Knight, features an ensemble cast including Mark Ruffalo, Hugh Laurie, Louis Hofmann, and newcomer Aria Mia Loberti.
While the story unfolds before, during, and after World War II, All the Light We Cannot See is a historical novel. Doerr created the novel's dual protagonists, drawing inspiration from real events and the European setting, particularly the pivotal Battle of Saint-Malo. The city of Saint-Malo's historical resilience, along with an overheard conversation during a routine train ride, served as the foundation for this grippingly humanistic tale.
What Inspired ‘All the Light We Cannot See’?
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Anthony Doerr spent a decade crafting his novel, All the Light We Cannot See. The inspiration struck him during a train journey in 2004 when he witnessed a stranger's extreme frustration over losing cell phone signal. Reflecting on this incident in a 2014 NPR interview, Doerr observed how people often overlook the marvels of modern communication. He marveled at the fact that we carry a device in our pockets capable of transmitting messages at the speed of light across vast distances. This incident deeply impacted Doerr and compelled him to tell a story that would capture the enchantment of technology. To achieve this, he decided to set his narrative in a time when widespread communication was still a novelty. Additionally, he had a clear image in his mind of a boy trapped somewhere and a girl reading a story to him over the radio, which further motivated him in creating his masterpiece.
Roughly a year later, Doerr paid a visit to Saint-Malo, a coastal city in France. The survival of this ancient town despite a fierce military attack intrigued him. In 2015, while speaking to HuffPost, Doerr explained, "As you walk along its cobbled lanes, inhaling the scent of the tides and hearing the echoes of your footsteps, you can't help but marvel at how this city has thrived for more than a millennium. However, it's astonishing to learn that Saint-Malo was almost completely annihilated by American artillery in 1944 during the last months of World War II. The process of painstakingly rebuilding the city block by granite block took place in the late 1940s and early 1950s. The fact that a place can so effectively conceal its own destruction, and that my own country was responsible for that destruction, captivated me."
Who Are the Protagonists of ‘All the Light We Cannot See’?
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Doerr's concept took form when he envisioned the convergence of the two youthful protagonists amidst the Battle of Saint-Malo in 1944. This month-long campaign formed part of the Allied forces' mission to emancipate France from Nazi control. Within the confines of Saint-Malo, the boy and girl found themselves trapped, surrounded by the chaos of the battle for their city's liberation. As the boy listened intently through the radio, the girl immersed herself in a book. The invention and widespread adoption of the radio offered a natural opportunity to explore how European resistance fighters transformed this technological marvel into a weapon against the Nazis, while the German forces exploited it for disseminating Third Reich propaganda. (The hazardous role of Allied radio operators stood among the most crucial and life-threatening tasks during the war.)
In All the Light We Cannot See, the girl envisioned by Doerr is Marie-Laure LeBlanc (Loberti), while the boy is Werner Pfennig (Hofmann). Marie resides in Paris alongside her father, Daniel LeBlanc (Ruffalo), who works as a locksmith at the Paris Museum of Natural History. Due to Germany's invasion, they are compelled to flee Paris and seek refuge with Daniel's brother, Etienne (Laurie), in Saint-Malo. In Germany, Werner exhibits exceptional talent as a technological prodigy, particularly in the realm of radio equipment repairs. Recognizing his skills, the Nazi military recruits Werner, assigning him the duty of tracking down and eliminating resistance broadcasters.
What Happened at the Battle of Saint-Malo?
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Due to its strategic location along the English Channel and its bustling port, Saint-Malo fell under German control in 1940 and served as a vital naval base during the French Occupation. In the midst of France's Occupied Zone, it was one of the cities incorporated into the Atlantic Wall, an extensive German defensive system designed to deter potential attacks from the United Kingdom. To strengthen the city's defenses, additional fortifications were constructed, housing loyal Nazi commanders.
Result:
Allied soldiers landed on the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944, initiating the largest sea-based war campaign in history. The battle to free Saint-Malo lasted for about a month, from August 4 to September 2, until the civilians were liberated. During this time, nearly 80% of Saint-Malo's architecture was destroyed.
In his decade-long writing process, Anthony Doerr conducted extensive research. To capture the essence of the city, he revisited Saint-Malo, immersing himself in its atmosphere. He delved into personal diaries and incorporated minute details like era-appropriate furniture and equipment found in old Sears catalogs. Doerr also included authentic excerpts from real speeches in the novel, which were transcribed from propaganda broadcasts.
Is the Sea of Flames Real?
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All the Light We Cannot See also features a MacGuffin that drives the plot and explores its themes. Nazi soldier Reinhold von Rumpel (played by Lars Eidinger) is on a quest to find the Sea of Flames, a legendary diamond believed to grant immortality at the expense of one's happiness. Marie-Laure becomes the owner of the diamond, leading to an inevitable clash between the two characters.
Author Anthony Doerr explained that the inspiration for the fictional diamond came from a sapphire housed in the British Natural History Museum, which has long been associated with a curse. However, instead of focusing on a specific object, Doerr drew inspiration from the intense and dramatic photographs of Louvre employees hurriedly packing priceless works of art before the German invasion. These images resonated with him and made him ponder the treasures housed in the Museum of Natural History of Paris.
Remembering History Has Never Been More Important
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Doerr aimed to present a fresh perspective when writing fiction about a historical tragedy that had already received extensive media coverage. Recognizing the passing of the majority of the World War II generation, he emphasized the responsibility of storytellers to avoid oversimplifying history. In his novel, he strived to portray the humanity of both Werner and Marie-Laure, offering complex portrayals of heroes and villains. As World War II recedes into the realm of history, Doerr aimed to subtly highlight all the unseen brightness. The premiere of Netflix's "All the Light We Cannot See" is scheduled for November 2.
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