The Light Between Oceans in Audiobook Junkies

Aug 02, 2013 Tim The Enchanter rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 4-stars, historical-fiction, favorite-books-of-2013

An emotional 4 Stars

"Your family is never in your past. You carry it around with you everywhere."

This quote sums up much of what I took away from the book. The Light Between Oceans is a times a sentimental look at family and relationships and portrait of loss and regret. The story tells that pain and regret ignored never dies. Like your family, it never stays in the past. It becomes part of what you are and ultimately,

"I've learned the hard way that to have any kind of future, you've got An emotional 4 Stars

"Your family is never in your past. You carry it around with you everywhere."

This quote sums up much of what I took away from the book. The Light Between Oceans is a times a sentimental look at family and relationships and portrait of loss and regret. The story tells that pain and regret ignored never dies. Like your family, it never stays in the past. It becomes part of what you are and ultimately,

"I've learned the hard way that to have any kind of future, you've got to give up hope of ever changing your past."

This may paint a morose picture but this is by no means a brooding novel where the characters and locked in anger and regret. Rather, it a story of trying to create a life where this is part of your history.

The setting is Australia in the 1920's. The main character, Tom, is a soldier returned from war. Like many soldiers returning from battle, the horrors of war have left a lasting imprint and permanent, silent scars. Tom takes a job at a remote lighthouse where there is not other living soul and he takes solace is the regimented, organized and rule based existence of a lighthouse keeper. He unexpectedly finds love in Isabel, a young free spirit and they create a new life on their island. After many years, this is changed by the arrival of an unexpected child. Following this...well, you have to read the book to see what happens.

Without a doubt, this is the most emotional book I have read in 2013. You cannot help but think of your own family and your own children while reading this novel. Despite my emotional response to the book, I cannot give it 5 stars. The raw emotion of the book serves to cover some of its flaws.

The biggest flaw is in the storytelling. At times, the author sacrifices plot and character development in exchange for sentimentality. Clearly, M.L. Stedman want you to feel the raw, unfettered emotion of the characters but at times, the emotion feels like it is included for the sake of sentimentality or to cover up weak points in the plot.

Overall, the book get my recommendation. While some of major plot turns are weak and there is a reliance on chance events and chance meetings, the book is a visceral experience. It is about feeling, grieving and the fight for restoration. While the book did not leave me feeling satisfied, I don't believe it was meant to. In this case, I can accept that.

For anyone who enjoyed this novels or thinks they may enjoy it, I would also recommend The Starboard Sea by Amber Dermont. This is less well known but deals with some of the same themes and is very well written. ...more

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Nov 01, 2014 Andrew rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I'm not sure where to start with a review of this book. It is a book that moved me in so many different ways as well as challenging my thinking about what was right and wrong on so many different levels. Such terrible choices were made or had to be made at points in the book, and people who couldn't cope with what life threw at their door. The ending was also so sad! I am sure this won't be the only time I read the book but do wonder if it will be the same knowing what is going to happen. All I ...more

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Nov 06, 2014 Eadie Burke rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-2016

This was a very good read right from the start and was a page-turner all the way through. I enjoyed the author's writing and will definitely read another book written by her. The characters were well-developed and the plot was excellent and kept me riveted to the story. The book had a great moral lesson of right and wrong and was beautifully delivered. I cried at the ending which had very tender moments and I didn't want the book to end. I highly recommend this book to those who love well-writte ...more

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Feb 21, 2013 Debbie Stone rated it really liked it

Shelves: general-fiction

Oh my gosh. This was an amazing book. The story-line swept me up and I got emotionally involved. We all make bad choices for good reasons and then have to deal with the results. I really felt for all of the characters. Great book.

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Feb 17, 2013 Peggy Downing rated it really liked it

One of those books that makes you wonder what you would do in a similar situation.

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Aug 20, 2012 Lilmissmolly rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I really enjoyed the slow pace of the book as I thought it adequately represented the life on a deserted island - except for the lighthouse family. I was disappointed in the ending though.

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