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I wrote a long detailed review and clicked save & it was gone.
Let me just say that this will go on my list of best books read in 2012 and I strongly encourage people to read it. I found it compelling & truly an excellent read.
I don't lightly hand out 5 star ratings.
Addition April 2015:
I absolutely love this book. I first read it in November 2012, gave it a five star rating on Goodreads, and considered it the best book I read that year. Re-reading it just confirms what I felt the first time.
I th ...more
Let me just say that this will go on my list of best books read in 2012 and I strongly encourage people to read it. I found it compelling & truly an excellent read.
I don't lightly hand out 5 star ratings.
Addition April 2015:
I absolutely love this book. I first read it in November 2012, gave it a five star rating on Goodreads, and considered it the best book I read that year. Re-reading it just confirms what I felt the first time.
I th ...more

Wonderfully unique plot and characters that engage the reader combine to make a compelling read! The story challenges the reader to consider the consequences of our decisions, especially ones that cause us to have misgivings when they go against our strongly-held values. The setting of a tiny island off the southwestern coast of Australia, inhabited only by the lighthouse keeper and his family creates the perfect opportunity for the concealment of secrets. The keeper's wife is convinced that the
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If you are familiar with the Biblical story of King Solomon and his tough decision in deciding which woman a baby belongs to, you will understand the pain explored in this novel. This novel excels at examining various factors that unfortunately combine to create an unimaginably painful situation for all involved when a baby shifts from one woman's arms to another. Set in the years immediately following World War I in Australia, the acts of dying and killing as well as racism are felt. Lots of em
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Started slow but before long I couldn't put it down. Really powerful and well written full of analogies and quotable statements that will make for good discussion. It touched my heart on so many levels!
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The premise of this book is an impossible decision that can only lead to unhappiness. However I found it fascinating instead of depressing. The writing was beautiful. The characters were so believable and likable. It definitely didn't end the way I thought it would. I cried at the ending, yet I would recommend this book 100%.
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Oh my! I thought this book could have ended in so many different ways. The author tried to show everyone's point of view, but I still found myself drawn to Isabelle and her choice.
In the end, I was surprised to find out this book is more about claiming a child as your own, it is a love story. I wept uncontrollable. Well done. ...more
In the end, I was surprised to find out this book is more about claiming a child as your own, it is a love story. I wept uncontrollable. Well done. ...more

Despite some of the author's emotional manipulation within the story, I liked this book. It definitely got me thinking about how powerful "motherly" instincts can be, and how sometimes right and wrong are not always so clear when you factor in love and loss.
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Yes, heart-wrenching, but very good. Given the complex situation, the ending was well done and satisfying. The switches from present to past tense were bothersome.

I absolutely loved this book! The choices we make for or in spite of love. I couldn't put it down.
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Dec 04, 2012
Margo
marked it as to-read