Scan barcode
bowdinkle's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
It took me a very long time to finish this because it just d r a g g e d on. I "liked" it but knowing what I know now after finishing it, I would not have spent my time on this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage
chronicallyplotting's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
So it three in the morning and I finished this book. This book was like not even reading. The authors style was so smooth and transitioned easily it was like watching a movie. Heartbreaking, romantic, timeless. So many adjectives for this book. Towards the end I thought it would be a 4 star review but without spoiling it the last few pages gave us closure. Great read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Grief, and Miscarriage
littlebookcastle_sam's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Grief, and Death
matildai's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
#mireadingchallenge A Best Seller
I actually stated into an update that it's a book made into a movie (which it is), but I had it noted in my master list as a best seller (I have a different book lined up as the movie book).
Tom a ww1 veteran takes an isolating job as a lighthouse keeper on Janus Island.
On a visit back to the main shore he meets and falls in love with Isobel.
Taking on another term of lighthouse duties they live on Janus Island.
After 2 miscarriages and a stillborn Isobel is in the depths of what we now know as PND.
One day a dinghy washes up onshore. Inside a dead man and a baby.
This book is full of emotions. As you watch the two words and two families collide over a child.
It's about love, forgiveness and will make you question rights and wrongs.
Ps.
I bought this book before I saw the movie, but alas I watched the movie before reading the book. I watched the movie ages ago so there were details I couldn't remember. I rate the book higher than the movie but I also think I need to rewatch it.
I actually stated into an update that it's a book made into a movie (which it is), but I had it noted in my master list as a best seller (I have a different book lined up as the movie book).
Tom a ww1 veteran takes an isolating job as a lighthouse keeper on Janus Island.
On a visit back to the main shore he meets and falls in love with Isobel.
Taking on another term of lighthouse duties they live on Janus Island.
After 2 miscarriages and a stillborn Isobel is in the depths of what we now know as PND.
One day a dinghy washes up onshore. Inside a dead man and a baby.
This book is full of emotions. As you watch the two words and two families collide over a child.
It's about love, forgiveness and will make you question rights and wrongs.
Ps.
I bought this book before I saw the movie, but alas I watched the movie before reading the book. I watched the movie ages ago so there were details I couldn't remember. I rate the book higher than the movie but I also think I need to rewatch it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Mental illness
Minor: Miscarriage
vik96's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy and Miscarriage
sarahamelias's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage and Blood
asourceoffiction's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The writing in this book is utterly beautiful, and sweeps you along with it as if you are standing to the side watching the events unfold. The pace is quite slow but that makes it immersive, and gives a muted quality to even the most emotional moments. It really captures the isolation of Janus Island and the life of a light keeper.
Make no mistake, this is a sad book. But given how morally difficult the characters' actions are, I didn't find it as fiercely emotional as I expected. Instead there was a quiet sadness running through, and I felt it but could still appreciate the beauty of the story with a sense of detachment. There are short moments dotted throughout where the writing switches from past to present tense, which felt to me like pivotal emotional moments with more individual bias, and were so cleverly used to enhance the story and the characters.
The morality of this whole book was so difficult; I don't think I've ever been so angry at a character while being able to completely understand their actions, and it was impossible to know throughout what the right decisions were. Tom and Isabel are deeply flawed, deeply damaged but inherently good people and I couldn't help but love them. I had no idea how I wanted the story to conclude, but felt that it probably ended in the only way possible, with muted optimism but always the ever-present wistful, sad feeling. A really really beautiful book.
Make no mistake, this is a sad book. But given how morally difficult the characters' actions are, I didn't find it as fiercely emotional as I expected. Instead there was a quiet sadness running through, and I felt it but could still appreciate the beauty of the story with a sense of detachment. There are short moments dotted throughout where the writing switches from past to present tense, which felt to me like pivotal emotional moments with more individual bias, and were so cleverly used to enhance the story and the characters.
The morality of this whole book was so difficult; I don't think I've ever been so angry at a character while being able to completely understand their actions, and it was impossible to know throughout what the right decisions were. Tom and Isabel are deeply flawed, deeply damaged but inherently good people and I couldn't help but love them. I had no idea how I wanted the story to conclude, but felt that it probably ended in the only way possible, with muted optimism but always the ever-present wistful, sad feeling. A really really beautiful book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage
jench391's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage
Moderate: Grief and Child death
abigailnoack's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I've owned this book for several years and had gotten to a point where I told myself I had to either read it or get rid of it. And I don't remember exactly why I bought it so long ago, I've never heard a lot about it.
For the most part I liked it. It's a pretty complex story about having the life you want and fighting for what's right. I didn't particularly relate to any of the characters but they were interesting enough to read about it.
I don't know exactly how to feel about it. Really this book isn't my usual type. I don't read much adult fiction (which isn't really the problem here), but it's the kind of story that isn't about the journey, it's about how it all ends up. I wanted to keep reading to find out how everything works out. So it works. It kept me reading. However, I really love feeling engaged through a whole story and want to be satisfied through every page, not just at a just ending.
One little note - It really annoyed me the way that Lucy was written as a young child. I just didn't get the impression that the author had spent much time around children (not to say he hasn't, I have no idea), just the way she talked and interacted with Isabel and Tom felt so unnatural.
For the most part I liked it. It's a pretty complex story about having the life you want and fighting for what's right. I didn't particularly relate to any of the characters but they were interesting enough to read about it.
I don't know exactly how to feel about it. Really this book isn't my usual type. I don't read much adult fiction (which isn't really the problem here), but it's the kind of story that isn't about the journey, it's about how it all ends up. I wanted to keep reading to find out how everything works out. So it works. It kept me reading. However, I really love feeling engaged through a whole story and want to be satisfied through every page, not just at a just ending.
One little note - It really annoyed me the way that Lucy was written as a young child. I just didn't get the impression that the author had spent much time around children (not to say he hasn't, I have no idea), just the way she talked and interacted with Isabel and Tom felt so unnatural.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Miscarriage and Infertility
Minor: Xenophobia
kmc359's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage
Moderate: Infertility