The Light Between Oceans
by M.L. Stedman
File Size: 7650kb
Print Length: 356 pages
Publisher: Scribner: Media tie in ed. July 31, 2012
Source: Purchased kindle edition from Amazon
Language: English
ASIN: 80064clit2
Author: M.L. Stedman
I finished this book just in time to see the movie at the theaters. However, since I rarely like the movie version as much as the book version, I probably wont go to the theater to see it. I actuall purchased this book over a year ago and just got around to reading it. I shouldn't have waited so long to read it, because it is wonderful.
The focus of the story is centered around a lighthouse keeper, Tom Sherbourne and his wife, Isabel. They are on an isolated island on the coast of Australia, called Janus Rock. The couple starts out full of love for each other and they seem to thrive off of the isolation. Tom is kept busy with the lighthouse duties, while Isabel keeps house, cooks, and gardens. The only thing keeping their lives from being perfect is a child. Isabel has lost several babies, with some of them being full term. One day shortly after burying yet another baby, a row boat washes ashore. In the boat Tom finds a dead man and a tiny baby girl wrapped in a blanket. Tom goes to Isabel and tells of his discovery, and as soon as the baby is put into Isabel's arms, she is smitten. As Tom goes to make a report of the find, Isabel convinces him to wait a while. Even though Tom feels compelled to do the right thing and make the report, Isabel looks so happy with the baby, he decides to go along and not report the incident. After a battle with his conscious for several days, he decides to bury the man on the island.
Since Isabel had been expecting a baby, it was easy to let her parents believe that she had given birth to a healthy baby girl, as well as the men that made regular deliveries to Janus Rock. Therefore, everyone just assumed it was Isabel's and Tom's child. Over the years, the little family lives a happy life, with the exception of Tom's conscious. Tom still feels guilty of not reporting the incident, because he knows there is a mother out there mourn ing for her child, and the dead man deserved a decent burial by his loved ones.
On a rare visit to Isabel's parents, about 400 miles away, they introduce the baby girl, Lucy, to her grandparents for the first time. However, while there, they discover a very sad woman lives there that lost her husband and baby girl years ago and has never recovered from the loss. From here on everyone persons life involved is pulled in different directions. I will stop here with the description, because I don't want to give too much away. But, I say again, "I should not have waited so long to read this book!" It is one of the best books I have read in a long time.
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