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helenstoreygird's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
dphillips's review
5.0
I stayed up til 1 in the morning to finish this book. Wow! I'll definitely be referring this book to others.
ktannock's review
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
purvy_reads's review
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
the_villager's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
book_concierge's review
4.0
Audio book performed by Noah Taylor.
Isabel and Tom Sherbourne have made their life on isolated Janus Rock … a small island about 100 miles off the coast of Australia, at the confluence of two oceans. Tom mans the lighthouse, ensuring the safety of ships at sea. They love one another and are anxious for a family, but Isabel has had two miscarriages and their latest child was stillborn at seven months gestation. Then a miracle happens. A small dinghy washes ashore, with a dead man at the helm and a tiny baby in the bow. One decision leads to another and before they know it they are enmeshed in a web of lies.
I admit I was expecting a lighter, historical romantic epic, but Stedman delivers a wonderfully complex psychological study of love – between a husband and wife, parent and child. This is a story of a couple pulled in opposite directions and yet somehow striving for the same goal. Tom loves his wife and would do anything for her, but what Isabel wants requires that he goes against all he believes is right.
The twists and turns of the story had me mesmerized. Central to the plot are issues of forgiveness, loyalty, ethics, compassion, and revenge. Stedman poses several moral dilemmas. To whom do we owe our loyalty? Does Tom protect his wife’s fragile psyche or follow his conscience and the rules and regulations of his government job? Does he love her enough to give her what she wants? Can he forgive her for what she’s required of him? Can she forgive him for going against her? How far will parents go to protect their child?
The reader is constantly wondering … Might she …? Could he…? Would she…? What would I do in their place? I think this would be a great book club discussion book.
Noah Taylor does a good job with the audio, but his Australian accent was difficult for my American ears. I was really happy I had a text version to check for those scenes where I simply could not understand his pronunciation. I think he handled the various characters reasonably well, including the women and little Lucy.
Isabel and Tom Sherbourne have made their life on isolated Janus Rock … a small island about 100 miles off the coast of Australia, at the confluence of two oceans. Tom mans the lighthouse, ensuring the safety of ships at sea. They love one another and are anxious for a family, but Isabel has had two miscarriages and their latest child was stillborn at seven months gestation. Then a miracle happens. A small dinghy washes ashore, with a dead man at the helm and a tiny baby in the bow. One decision leads to another and before they know it they are enmeshed in a web of lies.
I admit I was expecting a lighter, historical romantic epic, but Stedman delivers a wonderfully complex psychological study of love – between a husband and wife, parent and child. This is a story of a couple pulled in opposite directions and yet somehow striving for the same goal. Tom loves his wife and would do anything for her, but what Isabel wants requires that he goes against all he believes is right.
The twists and turns of the story had me mesmerized. Central to the plot are issues of forgiveness, loyalty, ethics, compassion, and revenge. Stedman poses several moral dilemmas. To whom do we owe our loyalty? Does Tom protect his wife’s fragile psyche or follow his conscience and the rules and regulations of his government job? Does he love her enough to give her what she wants? Can he forgive her for what she’s required of him? Can she forgive him for going against her? How far will parents go to protect their child?
The reader is constantly wondering … Might she …? Could he…? Would she…? What would I do in their place? I think this would be a great book club discussion book.
Noah Taylor does a good job with the audio, but his Australian accent was difficult for my American ears. I was really happy I had a text version to check for those scenes where I simply could not understand his pronunciation. I think he handled the various characters reasonably well, including the women and little Lucy.
ketutar's review
3.0
Well... it's very nice, but not my cup of tea. It should have been, but it's not. Frankly, I find it boring.
serenityofbooks's review against another edition
5.0
My #throwbackthursday book for this week is The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman. This debut Australian novel was published in 2012 and went onto win multiple awards including the 2013 ABIA for Literary Fiction, Newcomer and Book of the Year. It also remains the only published book by this author to date which I find really intriguing!
Beginning in 1926, we follow Tom, a lightkeeper on a remote island off Western Australia and his wife, Isabel. One day, a boat carrying a dead man and an infant wash ashore and their lives are forever changed. The consequences of the one choice they make in this moment are far reaching and devastating when the truth comes to light.
Such a tender and heartbreaking book, I was in tears with this one. It really made me ask the question long after I finished – what would I do in this situation?
Beginning in 1926, we follow Tom, a lightkeeper on a remote island off Western Australia and his wife, Isabel. One day, a boat carrying a dead man and an infant wash ashore and their lives are forever changed. The consequences of the one choice they make in this moment are far reaching and devastating when the truth comes to light.
Such a tender and heartbreaking book, I was in tears with this one. It really made me ask the question long after I finished – what would I do in this situation?
jeisel's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5