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A review by asourceoffiction
The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
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