55 pages • 1 hour read
Everything Is Illuminated
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Book Brief
288
Novel • Fiction
Ukraine • 2000s
2002
Adult
18+ years
880L
Super Short Summary
Everything Is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer weaves together multiple narratives: a fictional history of the Ukrainian village Trachimbrod, destroyed by Nazis in 1942, and the 1997 journey of Jonathan Safran Foer, a Jewish American, with Ukrainian locals Alex and his grandfather to uncover the past. Their search for a woman named Augustine, who supposedly saved Jonathan’s grandfather, reveals personal and historical connections, highlighting themes of memory, truth, and heritage. The novel contains depictions of physical abuse, sexual assault, murder, and genocide.
Mysterious
Bittersweet
Contemplative
Emotional
Humorous
Reviews & Readership
182,926 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Jonathan Safran Foer's Everything Is Illuminated is applauded for its inventive narrative and compelling prose, blending humor and tragedy. Critics highlight the rich character development and emotional depth. However, some find the interwoven stories complex and the stylistic quirks occasionally challenging. Overall, it's an ambitious and memorable debut.
Who Should Read Everything Is Illuminated?
A reader who enjoys lyrical storytelling, historical narratives, and a blend of humor and tragedy will find Everything Is Illuminated engaging. Fans of Art Spiegelman's Maus and Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time will appreciate its unique narrative style and emotional depth.
182,926 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Jonathan Safran Foer
Jonathan Safran Foer
An American college student and vegetarian from New York, traveling to Ukraine to uncover his family's history, particularly the story of his grandfather's survival during World War II.
Grandfather (Alexander)
Grandfather (Alexander)
Alex's grandfather, who serves as the driver for Jonathan's trip, grappling with his own complex past and having a spirited seeing-eye dog named Sammy Davis Jr. Jr.
Brod
Brod
Jonathan's fictional ancestor in the history of Trachimbrod, known for her beauty and intelligence, who emerges under mysterious circumstances and navigates a life filled with both admiration and isolation.
Safran
Safran
Jonathan's grandfather, depicted as a complex and unsympathetic character whose tumultuous relationships and personal struggles shape part of the family's history in Jonathan's narrative.
288
Novel • Fiction
Ukraine • 2000s
2002
Adult
18+ years
880L
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