The Light Between Oceans - M.L. Stedman
Book Synopsis: 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, 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, who keeps meticulous records and whose moral principles have withstood a horrific war, wants to report the man and infant immediately. But Isabel insists the baby is a "gift from God," and 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.
Wow. This novel is M.L. Stedman's debut, and it was written masterfully. I was surprised by how much I actually liked this book, and finished reading it within the hour. At first glance, the book is daunting and if you're anything like me, you'd probably think that it is a boring sea-faring historical romance book. And if you are like me, you would be dead-wrong.
Tom Sherbourne is a tragic hero type, he has high morals and believes in truth and justice. Which I found pretty ironic that he married Isabel, a young and fierce woman whose not exactly a picture of morality. But, they do say that opposites attract, and boy were they polar opposites.
What I loved most about this novel was the concept, I've never encountered anything like this story, and I was pleasantly shocked that it was not the boring, run-of-the mill anything. I admit that I did not have high expectations for this book, and M.L. Stedman's writing blew me out of the water. This novel was actually picked up by Hollywood and is now being turned into a movie starring Michael Fassbender and Rachel Weiss, and I'm pretty pumped about that. My cousin actually recommended this book and I for one, was so glad that I listened to her.
There came a moment in the book when I did not know who to root for regarding doing the right thing. Isabel Sherbourne is freakin' crazy and I think she got what was coming for her. Can you imagine what you would do in this situation? This book will give you a myriad of different emotions and let your mind go to a place where you never imagined.
I don't want to give much of the story away and spoil the book for those who have not read it yet. However, I can divulge this and say, "PICK THIS BOOK UP AND READ IT!" You won't regret it.
Rating: ★★★★★