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A review by silverliningsandpages
The Light Keeper: Sometimes Love Takes You to the Edge by Cole Moreton
4.0
“Here there is simplicity on a grand scale, strange as that sounds. You know what I mean. Spectacular simplicity. Breathtaking. Look out there. It does take my breath away, still. Huge skies, miles and miles of rolling Downs, immense cliffs, the wide sea. Something about the scale makes it restful. There’s a peace to be had I’m sitting here, whatever the weather...You can remember, here. Things you don’t even know you have forgotten”.
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This is a very emotive book, which deals with some difficult themes: suicide, grief, abusive relationships and infertility. It’s set at dramatic Beachy Head, where desperate people in that no-man’s land between life and death, decide which of those two paths to follow. Sounds dark and heavy? Yes, it was moody and at times I wasn’t sure if I could keep reading, but I’m so glad I did. As the title would suggest, it is actually full of hope and redemption. Beautifully evocative, it captures all that is majestic, ancient and spiritual in the landscape and sea. And it is very compassionate; I loved reading about the “Guardians”, volunteers, who patrol the cliffs, trying to save lives. My favourite character was the admirable Christian ex-police chief who leads the volunteers, he explains his faith, motivations and fears, a very capable man but one who is not afraid to let himself be vulnerable. This story is written from a Christian perspective, but even if you are of a different faith or no faith, I don’t think it’s “preachy” or presumptuous, judging from the lovely Author’s Note at the end.
4/5
.
This is a very emotive book, which deals with some difficult themes: suicide, grief, abusive relationships and infertility. It’s set at dramatic Beachy Head, where desperate people in that no-man’s land between life and death, decide which of those two paths to follow. Sounds dark and heavy? Yes, it was moody and at times I wasn’t sure if I could keep reading, but I’m so glad I did. As the title would suggest, it is actually full of hope and redemption. Beautifully evocative, it captures all that is majestic, ancient and spiritual in the landscape and sea. And it is very compassionate; I loved reading about the “Guardians”, volunteers, who patrol the cliffs, trying to save lives. My favourite character was the admirable Christian ex-police chief who leads the volunteers, he explains his faith, motivations and fears, a very capable man but one who is not afraid to let himself be vulnerable. This story is written from a Christian perspective, but even if you are of a different faith or no faith, I don’t think it’s “preachy” or presumptuous, judging from the lovely Author’s Note at the end.
4/5