Goodreads Choice Awards Book Club discussion

Goodreads Choice Award Winner - Historical Fiction

The story:
After four harrowing years on the Western Front, Tom Sherbourne returns to Australia and takes a job as the lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock, nearly half a day’s journey from the coast. To this isolated island, where the supply boat comes once a season and shore leaves are granted every other year at best, Tom brings a young, bold, and loving wife, Isabel. Years later, after two miscarriages and one stillbirth, the grieving Isabel hears a baby’s cries on the wind. A boat has washed up onshore carrying a dead man and a living baby.

Tom, whose records as a lighthouse keeper are meticulous and whose moral principles have withstood a horrific war, wants to report the man and infant immediately. But Isabel has taken the tiny baby to her breast. Against Tom’s judgment, they claim her as their own and name her Lucy. When she is two, Tom and Isabel return to the mainland and are reminded that there are other people in the world. Their choice has devastated one of them.

Please use spoiler tags whenever appropriate. We wouldn't want to spoil the book for all the others!!

I read it a while ago but I'm glad I can discuss it with all of you this month.

This was my review when I finished reading it:
The Light Between Oceans is the kind of book that stays with you a long time after you finished reading the last word of it. The theme is powerful and sad. M.L. Stedman writing was so good that I could picture myself living the solitary life in the light (and not being bored to death). I felt for Tom, Izzy and Hannah... I was torn between each of them.

Some people think that the flashbacks were annoying and cutting the flow of the story. On my part I think it gave more depth to the characters. However, I found some parts of the books could have been shorter, that's why I gave it 4 stars...

I read the book , it had me hooked till the ending. hated the way it ended, wouldn,t recommend to any one to read sorry I read it.

I've just got a email notice saying this is ready for me to pick ..... so many books to read in August!

Lynn wrote: "I've just got a email notice saying this is ready for me to pick ..... so many books to read in August!"

Talk to me about it and I still haven't finished my "July books"!

I'm still finishing my July books too!! Hoping to "catch up" in August. :)

I had to just drop one of my reads for July until some day. I have more to read this month then I ever have. My goal is to get them all read. I will actually finish this one today.

Sarah - Good luck! I may have to push off one my planned July reads until September in order to get all of my August reads done too. I really want to get to this one!

This is going to be made into a movie- that's amazing for a first time author. I can't wait until she writes again. I can see high schoolers having to pick this book apart for years to come.

So far I have only read the first two chapters. I have to say, its very wordy and a little confusing for me. I feel that the story keeps jumping around. I have high hopes for this book, so I'm going to keep reading with an open mind.

I think you should keep reading. It picks way more up later but I am surprised this was the Goodreads win for historical fiction. I thought and were way better.

Sarah wrote: "I think you should keep reading. It picks way more up later but I am surprised this was the Goodreads win for historical fiction. I thought and [bookcover:The Ki..."

I agree. I loved the Kitchen House!

Sarah wrote: "I think you should keep reading. It picks way more up later but I am surprised this was the Goodreads win for historical fiction. I thought and [bookcover:The Ki..."

I have both of those on my TBR! Glad you liked them. :)

1st chapter, last paragraph:
Being over there changes a man. Right and wrong don't look so different any more to some... You've got every right to have him up on charges if you want. But I reckon he's probably got enough troubles. like I said - up to you.

What does that reveal about Tom? Do you agree/disagree with him?

I loved this book. One of my all time favorites.

I think Tom's statement reveals that he is a forgiving man who doesn't see things in black and white. He knows people have their own ghosts and he is willing to forgive. I think this character trait so early in the book comes to define Tom so well.

Laurel wrote: "This is going to be made into a movie..."

How exciting! I've just started and have been thinking to myself I could easily see this as a movie - and it would be awesome! I'm loving the book so far.

Vanessa wrote: "1st chapter, last paragraph:
Being over there changes a man. Right and wrong don't look so different any more to some... You've got every right to have him up on charges if you want. But I reckon h..."

I didn't really think about this much until you posted the question. I think this is definitely an insight to Tom's compassionate nature. And I think it's this same compassion that ultimately sways him to go along with Isabelle's plan to keep the baby.

I am about half way through this book and I am really enjoying it so far. I think because the intro to Part One jumped right into the meat of the plot, the following chapters seemed to kind of drag a bit. I didn't really mind it though because the imagery and character development was done so well. I really enjoyed those first chapters of getting to know Janus. She really brought Janus to life for me.

Also, I really like the personification of the light itself. Not that the light had one steady personality, but that it has different personalities depending on the tone of that chapter or the character observing it.

I'm sure I'll have more thoughts when I finish the book tonight or tomorrow!

I agree with you, Tom is such a compassionate person.

@Kayla: (view spoiler)[I guess that's also what made him "end" Isabelle's plan and take the blame for it (hide spoiler)]. Don't read the spoiler if you're not done.

I read the introduction chapter and then I felt quite disappointed reading chapters 1 and 2. Does it get better?

I am now at charpter 6 and I did feel the same for the first three charpter. it's getting better, but hasn't been strong enough yet

For me it was the totality of the story; it builds ~ the charcters, the plot, the secondary characters, etc.

I thought Tom's statement really drove home his belief that people are altered by the circumstances they face. The statement was the perfect way to foreshadow the events of Tom's life with Isabel.

This just might be my favorite read so far this year. I couldn't stop thinking about the characters during those times I had to set the book down and return to real life.

Taresa wrote: "I thought Tom's statement really drove home his belief that people are altered by the circumstances they face. The statement was the perfect way to foreshadow the events of Tom's life with Isabel..."

I agree, it's a kind of book and story that stay with you for a long time after you're finished.

Sarah wrote: "I think you should keep reading. It picks way more up later but I am surprised this was the Goodreads win for historical fiction. I thought and [bookcover:The Ki..."

Thanks for suggesting The Kitchen House. I added it to my to-read list.

Vanessa wrote: "1st chapter, last paragraph:
Being over there changes a man. Right and wrong don't look so different any more to some... You've got every right to have him up on charges if you want. But I reckon h..."

When I first read these lines I didn't pay much attention to them because I didn't understand their significance. I'm in Chapter 18 now, and looking back on Tom's statement, I see it as a bit of foreshadowing. When Tom says, "Right and wrong don't look so different any more to some," I see a reflection in the choice he made later on. Does he keep quiet, or does he do the right thing? Tom's ability to see the consequences of going along with his wife's wishes was clouded. It never occurred to me before that Tom's experiences as a soldier in the war would affect his ability to choose right from wrong in his daily life, but now it makes complete sense.

I'm about half-way through and overtaken by this book.

The writer demonstrates one of my favorite uses of prologue - she gives us a tiny fragment from Part Two in order to keep us interested throughout the exposition.

Has anyone here read The Deep End of the Ocean (or seen the movie)? The situations in these books are very different, but I found them similiar in regards to the types of debates they open up.

I'm going to be reading this for my real life bookclub during August and am hoping I like it.
It's not something that I would normally read and if it wasn't for my bookclub I would probably never pick it up to be honest.
I'm going to start it with an open mind though and see what happens.....

It starts to get good after chapter 4 or 5. I am really enjoying it now. It starts off a little slow, but it gradually gets under your skin. The one criticism I have so far is that I would have liked the characters to have a little more depth than what they have so far. I am about 1/3 of the way through the book mind you.

A. John wrote: "It starts to get good after chapter 4 or 5. I am really enjoying it now. It starts off a little slow, but it gradually gets under your skin. The one criticism I have so far is that I would have lik..."

I think the characters gain more depth as the story goes on. It definitely does start off a little slow and the characters don't seem to have much to them right away. But the story does pick up, and the characters become slightly more complicated.

I do think this is a story that gets better as the book moves along.

*finish reading, numb*
Thanks for the recommendation. Ihana...

It really kicks into gear in Part Two. By Part Three there are a lot of character complexities.

(view spoiler)[I love how little details from the past come into play later in the story, such as the fact that Tom met Hannah in passing before he even moved to Janus. This becomes really interesting when Isabel's mind runs wild with the possibilities of the connection. (hide spoiler)]

So I finished a couple of nights ago. Overall I really liked the book.

For some reason I kind of took issue with the ending. (view spoiler)[ I know that I should be happy that Lucy-Grace was finally able to recover and grow into a happy young woman, but honestly I think this kind of trivializes the trauma that she went through.It made me so mad that the doctor kept telling Hannah that Lucy-Grace would "just get over it", although this is exactly what a doctor in the 1920s would have said. We know so much more about the possible consequences of childhood-trauma today. I guess it really just irks me that the doctor was right in this case. (hide spoiler)]

@kayla (view spoiler)[ The doctor made me the most upset, especially when Hannah wanted to simply talk to Isabel to find our some of Lucy's habits and comforts. I was really frustrated that she couldn't take after Gwen's example and that the person in "authority" was giving her such bad advice. (hide spoiler)]

@Kayla and Susan:
(view spoiler)[I am in poignant of how the problem was resolved, by preventing Izzy and Tom see Lucy ever and ever and ever again. They owed her an explanation and an apology (of course dear Hannah and grandpa and Gwen will do the job, anyway Lucy deserved to hear it straight from them). And in return, I did hope there was the last hug, where Izzy and Tom can see their baby for the last time, they deserved it too. Maybe sometime when Lucy was ready (before Izzy's death, i mean, it's hard to read how she died without being able to say that "sorry for keeping and letting you go", just like in her last letter for Lucy). Well, it might make the story sounds cliché anyway (hide spoiler)]

Laurel wrote: "This is going to be made into a movie- that's amazing for a first time author. I can't wait until she writes again. I can see high schoolers having to..."

I'm very happy to hear that it will be a movie! I will need a whole box of tissues to watch it though. Such a sad story.

@Tesa (view spoiler)[ Isabel's death and letter felt like a movie moment - as if it's sole purpose was to make us cry! Ha. The last hug would have been nice. I was a little put off by the jump in time before the last chapter. I also wanted to see a little more of Tom and Isabel's future rather than going straight to her death. (hide spoiler)]

That's not to say that I didn't like the book! I was so drawn in by the story and by the time I got to Part 3, I could not put it down or get it off my mind. Excited to see the movie, as well!

Tesa wrote: "I am now at charpter 6 and I did feel the same for the first three charpter. it's getting better, but hasn't been strong enough yet"aha it's great

I read this in March with my live bookclub- my choice actually as Australia is my next dream trip. This was my review
(4 stars)Enjoyed the setting a lot, the writing was wonderful. I liked how the characters were all sympathetic in some ways, but flawed too. Kind of sad, but in in a real life way, with love and family making it worthwhile.

I just finished the book last night. The ending really surprised me. (I'm going to be careful what I say here so I don't spoil it for those who haven't finished the book!). I found myself going back and forth with the characters. Do I feel sorry for Tom? Hannah? Isabel? Lucy? Isabel's parents? I changed my mind for who I felt the most for as the story went on. I was very surprised at Hannah's decision in the end, and I was glad to see Lucy's future. I only wish there was a little bit more written about how the characters turned out in the end. The whole story was building and building up, but the ending fell kind of flat. It was good, but I wish the ending and aftermath went on for a bit longer.

I have just started this but I am finding it hard to get into it and wondering was it hard for you or it might because I not able to sit down and read it and should I start and try again?

@Annabel: the first chapters were hard for me as well, probably because of the stiff writing style and dull characters exploration at the beginning.
Maybe you should keep on reading, it'll get better. and it'll be lovely.

@Tesa ok thanks

Annabel wrote: "I have just started this but I am finding it hard to get into it and wondering was it hard for you or it might because I not able to sit down and read it and should I start and try again?"

I agree, it was very hard to get into at first. But try to keep reading! It does get better!

@lauren thanks... I have read on so hopefully I will get into it as mum and some other people said so many good things about it :)

I absolutely loved this book even though I needed a multitude of tissues at the end . Can't wait for the movie .

Lauren wrote: "Annabel wrote: "I have just started this but I am finding it hard to get into it and wondering was it hard for you or it might because I not able to sit down and read it and should I start and try ..."

I started this book twice--the second time I got into it and absolutely loved it. I can usually guess what's going to happen so I'm always pleasantly surprised when I can't figure it out--keep reading it gets really good.

Wow! I loved this book! I loved how the author showed the emotion of the difficult choices each person made. While it was heart wrenching, I loved how timeless it was.

Well, back to my previous comment, I still think the characters needed a little more depth. (view spoiler)[ The best part of the book was the ending. The final chapter was really touching. I ended up hating Isabel after what she did to Tom. I don't think he deserved her anger because he always told her to do the right thing. I think that Tom deserved much better treatment than what he got from Isabel.

I would have liked to have known more about Isabel's parents after Tom and Isabel moved away. Not much is said about them. I would have also liked to know more about Lucy and her life, not just about the brief meeting at the end with Tom. It felt that that part was a bit rushed. Also, it felt weird that at one moment Lucy is crying her eyes out then she just accepts her fate. At least that's what it seems to me. We don't know much about her later.

I can see why the book would be made into a movie. It's an interesting story, but I am sure the writers will add more background to it.

Overall, it's a depressing story and you feel the loneliness of the characters. I think Tom was the worst affected out of the whole story, and I feel bad for him.


(hide spoiler)]

This book took me awhile to get into, it didn't grab my attention like I wanted. The book got much better as it went along and I ended up loving it. I did shed a few tears and talked my daughters into reading it. Just keep going it does get better :)