Order

[Carolyn]

Why do you think the author published the story in the order that it is? Why didn't he just have it all go in one long span instead of switching back and forth? At the beginning of the book it switches from the early 1930s-1940s to 1944 and back, why do you think Doerr did that? If you were the author of this specific book would you do the same thing? 

[Madeleine Stewart]

I think Doerr did it to keep the reader on their toes. Also it shows the places where the story intertwines more clearly. If I were the author I probably would have done the same thing. Though it makes the book a little more hard to follow it is worth it for the entertainment. I most likely would have not done the time switching, because sometimes it is hard to realize the time switches.

[roselyn]

I think the author wrote the book in the order that it is to create more suspense. It makes you really want to read on to see what's going to happen to the characters. It also gives the reader a hint of where the book is going. When you know a little of what is in the future and you read about the years before the event, it makes you wonder if each little action the characters take will contribute to what is going to happen next. It makes the book more like a puzzle where you have to piece together the facts to make a whole story. You have to think harder to understand what is going on but it makes it more fun to read. If I were the author I would write it in the same way because it is more interesting that way and it makes the reader think about what they are reading.

[Tuli Freeman]

I think the changing of times was to show cause and effect. By showing what is to happen makes the reader think about how the character got to that place, and makes following the timeline easier. By making it more confusing. Like working a problem, it's easier to come at it from multiple sides, as apposed to just chugging forward. Having the reader consider how the characters got to where they get makes them think more about the journey there, rather than the end result

[taylor]

The author created suspense by weaving between parts of the story. Going back and fourth created cross roads and deepened the connection between the characters. It also kept the reader engaged in the story. The authors technique showed added new dimension to the story. By switching places between the characters, there was a strong understanding of each character's view point and motives. Switching between characters and time zones made the story hard to track, but it added a new layer of depth to the story which made the confusion worth it. The story really had a focus point on the character's journey and their indications with the other characters, making the reader want to know where they ended up.

[simonplotkin]

This effect is similar to the Book Thief where Death references when and how people in the story will die. It gives a sense of purpose to the novel because you know where it ends up. It allows the reader to make connections between parts of the book and shows the big picture. There isn't any suspense, but some novels work very well with this type of writing. Along with this, it turns every moment of the battle into a cliff hanger, whether or not it's exciting. It serves as a break for some of the peaceful lulls throughout.

[stefanie]

By switching the timelines back and forth, the reader would be able to know what will happen but not how it will happen. For example, the reader knew that Marie-Laure was going to have to be home alone and hiding in the attic since he was going to go missing, however the reader did not know why Marie-Laure's uncle went missing or how she knew who the person was that came into her house and to flee to the attic. By switching back and forth, the author was able to create suspense for the reader without telling away the whole ending of the story such as who dies or what happens after mostly everyone is rescued, unlike in The Book Thief. This method of writing keeps the reader engaged in the details of the story, it is a method I would have chosen to use should I had written this book.