This novel is remarkable in the way that it utilizes and integrates multiple tones. Sometimes tonal shifts simply do not work at all, but when the author is sufficiently talented and the tonal changes bring the work's themes and questions into relief, you have something painfully beautiful. At first this book is hilarious, but then as you go in more deeply you start to see the absolute tragedy.
Ultimately, Everything is Illuminated is mainly interested in the interplay with love, forgiveness, truth, and moral courage. I know it has some serious flaws, particularly regarding misrepresentation of some of the historical events, but I still love it because it asks some searing, challenging questions, and has some amazingly beautiful passages:
But each was the closest thing to a deserving recipient of love that the other would find. So they gave each other all of it.
"What if it was not in His power?" "I could not believe in a God that could not stop what happened." "What it if was man and not God that did all of this?" "I do not believe in man, either."
But you don't even like it, he said. You always complain after.
I know, she said. . .
Then why?
Do you like thinking about Mom?
No.
Does it hurt after?
Yes.
Then why do you continue to do it? she asked. And why, she wondered, remembering the description of her rape, do we pursue it?
Did you ever love me?
She turned her head from him. No. Never.
I've always loved you, he told her.
I'm sorry for you.
You're a terrible person.
I know, she said.
I just wanted you to know that I know that.
Well, know that I do.
"We were stupid, he said, "because we believed in things."
"Why is this stupid?"
"Because there are not things to believe in."
(Love?)
(There is no love. Only the end of love)
(Goodness?)
(Do not be a fool.)
(God?)
(If God exists, He is not to be believed in.)
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