Book recommendation: The Light Between Oceans


I loved this book. It's the best novel I've read in a long time.

{summary}

Tom Sherbourne returns to Australia after four years serving in the war, and takes a job as a light house keeper on an isolated island. He marries the young and vibrant Isabel and they live together on the remote island, keeping the light. They try to start a family, but Isabel loses three babies; her last, stillborn. As they are yet reeling from the grief of their stillborn child, a boat is washed upon the island rocks, carrying a man who has died, and an infant who lives.

Tom wants to report the incident immediately, but Isabel desperately wants to care for the baby. The decisions they make on the day the baby arrives, and the months and years following- impact Tom, Isabel, their marriage, and- they later discover- someone on the mainland who is praying for the safe return of those in the boat.

***

This was such a well-written and compelling story. So much so that I was reading through my tears in the final pages.

My first thought when I finished the last word was: "What ELSE has this author written?"- because I was ready to gobble up all of M.L. Stedman's other books.  But alas: this was her first novel.

One NOT to miss, though.

12 comments:

  1. It might be a bad sign when your summary alone made me cry. Or it might mean I am emotional.
    I always love your book recommendations (I think). ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OH NO!! I think that DOES mean you're emotional. We need us a Copper Hog date. Love you. MUCH.

      Delete
  2. Have you ever read The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton? I loved it! It has some interesting similarities with what you wrote about this one... I almost never comment here, but I love your book recommendation, and especially what your kids are reading :)
    :) Koe

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Koe,
      YES! I really enjoyed Kate Morton's The House of Riverton & The Forgotten Garden... and The Secret Keeper, too. I couldn't get through The Distant Hours (too dark, or something, if I remember correctly).
      Blessings to you and yours, Koe.
      ~Stacy

      Delete
  3. hi Stacy!
    You know, sometimes I think we must have been separated at birth or something....anyway, I also LOVED this book. It's weird to say, but I really connected with the characters partly because one of them was name Isabel (just like MY Isabel). But, it was such a compelling story. And, yes, I was also sad to see that this was the first book published by this author - so we will have to be patient! Lots of love xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, there's also a Lucy in there, so maybe that's why, too. I love it that you liked it, too! :) You'll have to send me your book recommendations if we like the same kinds of books!
      Love to you, Lucy...
      ~Stacy

      Delete
  4. Just added it to my library request queue, thanks for writing about it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I almost never, ever read fiction...but I'm going to check this one out. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Renee-
      Yipes. Such pressure. I hope you like it! (You'll have to let me know!)

      Delete
  6. Finally got my hands on this one,and I. love. it!!!! So far, so very, very good. Thank you, kind friend! <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. YAY, Elise! So glad you're enjoying it. Thank you for coming back to say so, too. It's always gratifying when you recommend a book and someone likes it. :)

      Delete

Thank you for commenting! I love hearing from you, and I will do
my best to reply back to you in the comment section.