The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

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The Dark Burden of Love

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman is about a lighthouse keeper and his wife on an isolated island in Western Australia in 1926 who save a baby from a ship wrecked on their shores and bury the dead man who was with her.  This baby seems to be a gift from God to Isabel, the lighthouse keeper's wife, who's had several miscarriages.  With a heavy and reluctant heart, her husband, Tom, gives in to her pleas to keep "Lucy."  This sets the stage for an emotional journey of love, guilt, betrayal, and justice.  It's no secret right from the get-go that this book is designed to pull at your heart strings, and it did a good job of it.  In fact, it pulled on my heart like a taffy machine, yanking all my maternal instincts back and forth and back and forth again until it finally managed to coax out a couple tears, which are not always that forthcoming from me (see Firefly Lane).  

 I really did like the book, tears, anguish, and all.  It was a fast read with a devastating story that will stay with me a long time.  It's a harsh reminder that sometimes we must do the best we can when fate relentlessly slaps us around.
Prepare to be moved.  Also be prepared to see it on the big screen as this book will be made into a BLT (bring lots of tissues) movie starring Rachel Weisz and Michael Fassbender.  Filming was scheduled to begin September, 2014, but no word yet on a release date in theaters.

Happy Reading,
Annette



Comments

Anonymous said…
Well I think I need to move this book to the top of my list. Sounds wonderful! Thank you.
December 15, 2014 at 9:06 AM
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