January 9, 2013 4:00 am
The Light Between Oceans
By M.L. Stedman
(Scribner, Hardcover, 9781451681734, July 2012, 352pp.)
The Short of It:
An impossible situation set in a beautiful and captivating setting. A story of love and loss. It left me breathless.
The Rest of It:
After four, very long years fighting on the Western Front, Tom Sherbourne returns to Australia a different man. After what he’s seen, what he needs is a total break from reality and he finds it in a position as a lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock. For a while it’s just him and the lighthouse and he likes it that way. But after being ashore only a few times and his only contact being the supply boat that comes every six months, he begins to wonder what it would be like to share his life with someone else.
Isabel is a bold, adventurous young woman and after a few chance encounters with Tom, it’s clear to both of them that there is more than just a friendship there. But what concerns Tom is life on the island itself. Will Isabel be able to adapt to the harsh weather? Will she be able to deal with the isolation? But she assures Tom that they will be happy, and they are but after two miscarriages and one stillbirth, Isabel’s view of the island shifts. What was once such a happy place, is now a stark reminder of their loneliness.
When a boat washes ashore with a baby inside of it, it’s clear that the events of that day will forever leave their mark.
This was an amazing read for so many reasons that I have to list them out:
Honestly, I could go on and on. The Light Between Oceans had me asking myself what I’d do in a similar situation and although putting yourself under a microscope for that kind of scrutiny is uncomfortable, it was also enlightening. How far will a person go to be happy? How does love change that? Apparently, quite a bit.
Loved this one. I wish everyone could stop what they are doing and read it right now. It’s that good.
Source: Sent to me by the publisher via Library Thing.
Disclosure: This post contains Indiebound affiliate links.
Posted by Ti
Categories: Book Review
Tags: © 2013 Book Chatter, Book Review, Family, Fave Reads, Favorites, Fiction, Literary Fiction, M.L. Stedman, Marriage, Relationships, The Light Between Oceans
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Agreed! Loved it! And it made a great book club pick!
By bookingmama on January 9, 2013 at 4:03 am
Beautiful review…you have away of getting to the heart of a book…especially when you love it.
By Patty on January 9, 2013 at 4:04 am
Wow! You make me want to call in sick at work, just so I can download this book and spend the day reading it. Hmmm. Not a bad idea 😉 I’m definitely going to be reading this one – its obvious you loved it, which means it is going to be a great read and I can’t wait!
By Nadia on January 9, 2013 at 4:16 am
I didn’t read this – you know I like to go in blind and will be reading this one very soon. Just stopped by to say, “PRETTY SPOON!”
😀
By Care on January 9, 2013 at 5:47 am
My autocorrect on this phone is from another planet. OF becomes BOOF. SOON becomes SPOON. Ugh!
By Ti on January 9, 2013 at 5:54 am
I’ve seen this around in lots of best-of-2012 lists, so it got me curious. And the cover is lovely!
By Alex on January 9, 2013 at 6:27 am
Fabulous, isn’t it.
By Maya Panika on January 9, 2013 at 8:14 am
Yay! I have this one, and since you loved it so much, I am going to make an effort to read it soon. I think it’s kind of ridiculous how many books I actually own, and haven’t read yet, so I am trying to read from my own shelves this year, and this is the perfect place for me to start. Excellent review today! All your bullet points convinced me that this one is for me too!
By zibilee on January 9, 2013 at 8:14 am
I can’t wait for you to read it!
By Ti on January 9, 2013 at 11:13 am
Great review! I am definitely putting it on my Nook book wish list 🙂
By Melissa @ Melissa's Bookshelf on January 9, 2013 at 8:37 am
Everyone seems to find this one an emotional and powerful read.
By sagustocox on January 9, 2013 at 9:07 am
And I don’t think you have to have a kid to get it either. Anyone who has lost anything or anyone close to them will be able to relate on some level.
By Ti on January 9, 2013 at 10:24 am
Our book club read this (and OMG how much there is to discuss!), and we all felt it got to a very slow start. But once the rubber meets the road so to speak, it was hard to stop reading. Such a blurry line between right and wrong here, but I do admit that I did not particularly like Isabel. I totally “got” where she was coming from, but I really resented the position she put Tom in, because I loved him.
By Sandy on January 9, 2013 at 10:10 am
I get what you mean. There were times where I just didn’t feel Isabel knew how much Tom had swallowed for her happiness. Or that she had any idea how tortured he was over the whole thing. But that’s what happens when you are overcome with grief. You begin to rationalize it out so although I had little patience for the decision, I could see how she got there in her head.
By Ti on January 9, 2013 at 10:23 am
I keep reading great things about this book! I need to buy a copy!
By BermudaOnion on January 9, 2013 at 10:33 am
Glad you loved this one Ti. It would be hard for me to understand why anyone might not like it. Truly well done. Loved reading your thoughts.
By Diane on January 9, 2013 at 12:03 pm
I loved your review and am glad you loved this! You know, I never even considered this as a book club read but you are so right… it would make for great discussion. It was definitely very easy to relate to and like Tom and Isabel.
By Jenny on January 9, 2013 at 12:54 pm
I thought Hannah was an interesting character too. It surprised me how much I disliked her when she first came into the picture. Surprised me that I’d feel that way about the poor woman! But that is just a testament to how much I liked Tom.
By Ti on January 9, 2013 at 1:26 pm
I’ve been trying to decide whether or not to get this one…you’ve convinced me!! 🙂
By Patti Smith on January 9, 2013 at 2:02 pm
You must read it. Can’t wait to hear what you think of it. I know. I will give you time to read it. LOL.
By Ti on January 9, 2013 at 2:03 pm
I have come so close to buying this 10,000 times. I don’t know what keeps stopping me, since I’ve heard nothing but good things about it.
By softdrink on January 9, 2013 at 4:36 pm
I’ll tell you why it took me so long to read it. I saw a lighthouse on the cover and assumed ML STEDMAN was a MAN and figured it would be heavy on coordinates, ocean lore and all that. There was some of that, but the author is a woman.
By Ti on January 9, 2013 at 6:15 pm
This seems like one of those books that everyone loves … so I guess I better read it!
By Jenners on January 9, 2013 at 4:58 pm
I’ve heard quite a bit about this one but didn’t realize it was so good. I should get my hands on it!
By Athira on January 9, 2013 at 5:24 pm
It’s like you’ve slathered this book in icing, that’s how tempting you’ve made it…
By theliterarylollipop on January 9, 2013 at 5:46 pm
It was incredibly hard to put down. Icing. Yum.
By Ti on January 9, 2013 at 6:06 pm
I have been wanting to read this one for a while – well actually I want to listen to it. Now after knowing how much you loved it I really want to read it.
By Darlene on January 9, 2013 at 5:55 pm
I know nothing about the audio version but in print, it was very powerful. I had to compose myself at least twice while reading.
By Ti on January 9, 2013 at 6:10 pm
You know I loved this one. What is right? What is wrong? Deep and meaningful. Unique. I knew you’d love this one.
By lomaurice on January 10, 2013 at 10:42 am
Exactly! And the fact that what I felt was wrong, and knew was wrong, somehow felt right. The ability for the author to manipulate emotions without be obvious. I didn’t even realize what I was feeling until Hannah showed up.
By Ti on January 10, 2013 at 10:50 am
Okay, you sold me. I’m adding this to my TBR list! Thank you
By Helen Murdoch on January 10, 2013 at 10:44 am
You make me want to drop everything and read this book right now! Darn reading commitments. Soon though. I want to read this one soon. Before everyone forgets and I have no one to talk to about it.
By Literary Feline on January 10, 2013 at 12:11 pm
Not a story I will soon forget so talk to me anytime!
By Ti on January 10, 2013 at 12:21 pm
It sounds thought-provoking. And a ringing endorsement from you, all which tells me it’s good! thanks
By swright on January 10, 2013 at 1:31 pm
I liked this one too, and there is definitely a lot to discuss about the ethical dilemma (especially after the baby has been with them for a while).
By Alyce (@AtHomeWithBooks) on January 11, 2013 at 12:14 pm
I just bought this one after others had it listed on their best of lists. Now I really cannot wait to read it!
By whatsheread on January 12, 2013 at 7:07 pm
This was an amazing read for me too. I never once doubted that this story could actually happen. I think I would’ve done close to the same thing but in the end would’ve had to come clean in order to keep the demons away in my dreams. Your review was lovely!
By Staci@LifeintheThumb on January 13, 2013 at 12:20 pm
Wonderful review! You reminded me that I really need to get my hands on a copy. It stinks that I’m #67 in the library queue though!
By Anna (Diary of an Eccentric) on January 14, 2013 at 5:29 pm
Awesome review. I have this one in my TBR stack and I’m anxious to get to it.
By Holly (2 Kids and Tired) on January 15, 2013 at 7:20 pm
I just finished this book this morning. I get up early and read before the kids get up, and well, I couldn’t stop, and I think they were a little concerned because of the crying. Love your review!
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