In the book "Everything Is Illuminated" by Jonathan Safran Foer, the author explores themes of loss, memory, and the connections we forge with others. The quote, "How, after all, can one miss something one has never known?" encapsulates a deep existential inquiry about the nature of longing for something unfamiliar. It reflects the complexity of human emotions and the idea that we can feel an absence even for experiences or relationships we've never personally encountered.

This sentiment emphasizes how the human mind can create connections and yearn for the past, even when there is no concrete experience to anchor those feelings. It suggests that our emotions and desires can transcend direct experience, revealing the depth of our longing for understanding, belonging, and history. Foer's work invites readers to consider how we process loss and the ways in which we seek to illuminate our own pasts through the stories of others.