The Light Between Oceans in Audiobook Junkies

Aug 02, 2013 Tim The Enchanter rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 4-stars, historical-fiction, favorite-books-of-2013

An emotional 4 Stars

"Your family is never in your past. You carry it around with you everywhere."

This quote sums up much of what I took away from the book. The Light Between Oceans is a times a sentimental look at family and relationships and portrait of loss and regret. The story tells that pain and regret ignored never dies. Like your family, it never stays in the past. It becomes part of what you are and ultimately,

"I've learned the hard way that to have any kind of future, you've got An emotional 4 Stars

"Your family is never in your past. You carry it around with you everywhere."

This quote sums up much of what I took away from the book. The Light Between Oceans is a times a sentimental look at family and relationships and portrait of loss and regret. The story tells that pain and regret ignored never dies. Like your family, it never stays in the past. It becomes part of what you are and ultimately,

"I've learned the hard way that to have any kind of future, you've got to give up hope of ever changing your past."

This may paint a morose picture but this is by no means a brooding novel where the characters and locked in anger and regret. Rather, it a story of trying to create a life where this is part of your history.

The setting is Australia in the 1920's. The main character, Tom, is a soldier returned from war. Like many soldiers returning from battle, the horrors of war have left a lasting imprint and permanent, silent scars. Tom takes a job at a remote lighthouse where there is not other living soul and he takes solace is the regimented, organized and rule based existence of a lighthouse keeper. He unexpectedly finds love in Isabel, a young free spirit and they create a new life on their island. After many years, this is changed by the arrival of an unexpected child. Following this...well, you have to read the book to see what happens.

Without a doubt, this is the most emotional book I have read in 2013. You cannot help but think of your own family and your own children while reading this novel. Despite my emotional response to the book, I cannot give it 5 stars. The raw emotion of the book serves to cover some of its flaws.

The biggest flaw is in the storytelling. At times, the author sacrifices plot and character development in exchange for sentimentality. Clearly, M.L. Stedman want you to feel the raw, unfettered emotion of the characters but at times, the emotion feels like it is included for the sake of sentimentality or to cover up weak points in the plot.

Overall, the book get my recommendation. While some of major plot turns are weak and there is a reliance on chance events and chance meetings, the book is a visceral experience. It is about feeling, grieving and the fight for restoration. While the book did not leave me feeling satisfied, I don't believe it was meant to. In this case, I can accept that.

For anyone who enjoyed this novels or thinks they may enjoy it, I would also recommend The Starboard Sea by Amber Dermont. This is less well known but deals with some of the same themes and is very well written. ...more

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Nov 01, 2014 Andrew rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I'm not sure where to start with a review of this book. It is a book that moved me in so many different ways as well as challenging my thinking about what was right and wrong on so many different levels. Such terrible choices were made or had to be made at points in the book, and people who couldn't cope with what life threw at their door. The ending was also so sad! I am sure this won't be the only time I read the book but do wonder if it will be the same knowing what is going to happen. All I ...more

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Jul 07, 2016 Susan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: book-club

This was a completely beautiful and totally heartbreaking book! It starts out with a sweet courtship between a man who has been broken by the war and a naive but joyful girl. I held out hope that Tom's PTSD could be mended by love. Then life throws tragedy after tragedy at them and some bad decisions are made. It all goes horribly wrong and there is despair and misery. It's a really hard book to read, especially near the end but definitely worth the pain! ...more

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Jul 08, 2014 Heather rated it it was amazing

Loved this audiobook. Pitch perfect narration in an Australian accent by Noah Taylor. Tenderly performed with beats in all the right places.

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Jan 05, 2013 Phyllis marked it as to-read

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Jul 22, 2013 Suellen marked it as to-read

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Oct 12, 2013 Debbi marked it as to-read

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Nov 12, 2013 Teresa added it

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Feb 05, 2014 Petra marked it as to-read

Shelves: audible, uk-kindle, australia, historical

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Apr 13, 2014 Stacy Boyles marked it as to-read

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Jan 29, 2015 Mande rated it really liked it

Shelves: book-club

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Jan 16, 2016 Tracy marked it as to-read

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Jan 21, 2016 Nissa marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, literary, historical-fiction, fiction, romance, literary-fiction, historical-romance, contemporary-fiction, adult-fiction, movie

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