The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter in Clean Reads

May 10, 2019 SusanwithaGoodBook rated it it was amazing

I adore lighthouses, so I guess its no surprise that I enjoyed this, but it was so much more than I was expecting. This is a beautifully written story, weaving two women and two time periods together and tying them together perfectly. I particularly loved the tale of Grace Darling with her true story of heroism and unwanted fame. I now must read more about her and visit that lighthouse some day. I'm looking forward to our book club discussion on this one. I hope the other ladies love it as much ...more

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May 15, 2019 Pat rated it it was ok

This had possibilities being based on a real person and the event that changed her life. But—multiple viewpoints became confusing and jarring. Switching between past tense and present tense added nothing to the story. Editing was poor—a boat was described as being 25 feet by 6 inches. At the end of the book, a letter written in 1836 includes a quote from Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities”, which was published in 1859. I felt the writing was not as strong as other books by Gaynor. All in all ...more

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Jan 23, 2025 Angie rated it it was ok

Shelves: angie

I really wanted to like this. And there were parts that were enjoyable. But both Grace and George, though they seemed to speak rather well, couldn't seem to get the words out that they needed to say to one another, so they both were stuck in unsatisfactory lives. Maddening. HATED the adoption storylines, which perpetuate the idea that adoptive parents can't love children not born to them. Lots of death. ...more

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Oct 19, 2021 Beth Given rated it liked it

Shelves: audio

In 1938, Matilda Emmerson finds herself unmarried and pregnant; to avoid a family scandal, she is sent from Ireland to America to live with a relative, Harriet, who tends a lighthouse in Rhode Island. In 1838, Grace Darling and her father rescue Sarah Dawson from a shipwreck, seeking refuge at the English lighthouse where the Darlings live. These dual storylines converge in this moody, atmospheric book.

The audio narration in this was really, really good! This book is told from multiple viewpoint ...more

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Sep 19, 2020 Jill rated it really liked it

This is a beautiful story of strong, courageous women and the generations who follow and learn from them. I loved learning about Grace Darling and other “keepers of the light.” Their unique lifestyle and their commitment to providing light to those in distress is both fascinating and inspiring.

It was especially fun to read this book while visiting lighthouses in Maine. I’ve always been intrigued by lighthouses and Grace’s story added to my fascination with these beautiful life-saving structures ...more

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Apr 24, 2019 Cherlyn rated it liked it

I couldn't decide between 3 stars or 4. I went with 3 because I wanted it to end "with a bow"
Based on a true story and told across multiple generations, it is the story of a famous lighthouse rescue, now lost in the archives of history. I have always been interested in lighthouses and how they work. ...more

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