The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
In the aftermath of World War I Australia, Tom Sherbourne is assigned as lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock. In isolation he faithfully adheres to his duty and responsibility of the keeping of the light and the record of the time and date of every activity and siting. Tom brings his young wife Isabel to solitude and seclusion of the island.
Isabel is a young with a strong maternal instinct. She suffers two miscarriages and a still birth. When a row-boat washes ashore with a dead man and an infant Tom brings the child to his wife. He must report and record the date and time of the arrival, to call for help. Isabel convinces herself that the baby is a gift from God. She beseeches her husband to wait and because he loves his wife he does not send a signal. Isabel, Tom and their new daughter Lucy live an idyllic family life until they return to the mainland.
The couple learns that Lucy has a grieving mother suffering from both the loss and unknown circumstances of her husband and child. Isabel cannot live without Lucy and Tom cannot live with the results of their choice.
Stedman‘s writing brings the reader into the time, place and hearts of the characters. This debut novel tells a compelling story of love, tragedy and consequences that result from choices made out of love and moral duty.
Ratings 1 – 5
• Readability: 4
• Likability: 4
• Recommended: 5
• Book Club Read: 5
• Author Watch List: 5
• Laugh Meter: 1
• Cry Meter: 5
• Three Word Description: Tragic Moral Choices
Reviews and More Tags: Historical, Australia, Literature, Debut, Fiction, Mystery
Quote(s): “You only have to forgive once. To resent, you have to do it all day, every day. You have to keep remembering all the bad things.”
Product Details
• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Scribner; First Edition (July 31, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9781451681734
• ISBN-13: 978-1451681734
• ASIN: 1451681739
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