Is All The Light We Cannot See based on a true story? Film's origin explored

A scene from the Netflix adaptation All the Light We Cannot See (Image via IMDb)

Netflix's adaptation of Anthony Doerr's Pulitzer Prize–winning novel, All the Light We Cannot See, has received praise from critics and fans alike, who describe it as a breathtaking telling of a World War II narrative. Based on historical fiction, the book and now Netflix adaptation explores the radio's function during times of conflict and the tenacity of the French city of Saint-Malo.

A decade of study and real-life occurrences serve as the inspiration for Anthony Doerr's brilliant narrative, which is sure to impress audiences once more. As it progresses, the drama series honors Saint-Malo's tenacity and delves into the complex nature of interpersonal relationships amid conflict.

Is All The Light We Cannot See a true story or fiction?

A masterwork of historical fiction, Anthony Doerr's novel All the Light We Cannot See is a fictional story inspired by real events that skillfully interweaves the threads of imagination with history. This World War II story explores the resilience of Saint-Malo, a French city, and the significant influence of radio communications in times of conflict.

The Battle of Saint-Malo, a crucial point in the Allied forces' effort to free France from Nazi rule, served as inspiration for Doerr's fictionalized main story rooted in actual historical events. Through Doerr's creations, the narratives of Marie-Laure LeBlanc (Aria Mia Loberti) and Werner Pfennig (Louis Hofmann) take place in a painstakingly studied historical setting.

Anthony Doerr's journey to creating All the Light We Cannot See began with a seemingly ordinary train ride in 2004. Observing a stranger's frustration over a lost cell phone signal triggered the idea of setting the story during an era when mass communication was still a novelty.

Aria Mia Loberti as Marie in a scene from All the Light We Cannot See (Image via IMDb)

Doerr's subsequent visit to Saint-Malo, a city with a storied history of resilience, further fueled his creative vision. The month-long campaign by the Allied forces to liberate Saint-Malo destroyed nearly 80% of its architecture. Anthony Doerr's rigorous research, including revisiting Saint-Malo and studying personal diaries, lends some authenticity to the novel's portrayal of this significant historical moment.

Why is All The Light We Cannot See not in chronological order?

The non-linear structure of the novel and Netflix adaptation introduces an extra layer of complexity to the narrative, allowing readers and viewers to navigate through varied time and perspectives. The deliberate choice of employing a non-chronological means of storytelling serves both artistic and thematic purposes.

Anthony Doerr's choice to intertwine sections about the Battle of Saint-Malo in August 1944 with earlier events starting in 1934 reflects his artistic vision, creating a mosaic of interconnected moments that contribute to the overarching themes of the novel.

The Sea of Flames: Real or Imagined?

At the core of the story lies the Sea of Flames, a diamond pursued by a Nazi soldier named Reinhold von Rumpel. While the Sea of Flames is fictional, Doerr drew inspiration from real-world artifacts, such as the cursed sapphire in the British Natural History Museum.

The series uses this MacGuffin to explore themes of immortality and sacrifice. Through the lens of historical fiction, All the Light We Cannot See integrates elements of reality with imaginative storytelling, providing a nuanced perspective on the human experience during wartime.

The novel, and now brought to life through its Netflix adaptation, showcases literature's importance in illuminating hidden facets of history, inviting audiences to ponder all the light we cannot see. Viewers can watch all four episodes of the series on Netflix.