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5★
“From this side of the island, there was only vastness, all the way to Africa. Here, the Indian Ocean washed into the Great Southern Ocean and together they stretched like an edgeless carpet below the cliffs. On days like this it seemed so solid she had the impression she could walk to Madagascar in a journey of blue upon blue...
As if to make amends, the island – Janus Rock – offered a lighthouse, its beam providing a mantle of safety for thirty miles.”
Fantastic debut novel
Oh what a tangled w ...more
“From this side of the island, there was only vastness, all the way to Africa. Here, the Indian Ocean washed into the Great Southern Ocean and together they stretched like an edgeless carpet below the cliffs. On days like this it seemed so solid she had the impression she could walk to Madagascar in a journey of blue upon blue...
As if to make amends, the island – Janus Rock – offered a lighthouse, its beam providing a mantle of safety for thirty miles.”
Fantastic debut novel
Oh what a tangled w ...more
Nov 03, 2014
Anne Hamilton
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
australia-nz
Some spoilers:
Tom Sherbourne returns from the Great War burdened with memories that compel him to seek lonely places, harsh solitude, implacable routine. Lighthouse-keeper seems to be the perfect fit.
On the way to take up a temporary appointment at Janus Rock, far off the West Australian coast where the Indian Ocean washes into the Great Southern Ocean, he rescues a wealthy young woman. His upright character, his compassion for others and his deep sense of honour is established in this single in ...more
Tom Sherbourne returns from the Great War burdened with memories that compel him to seek lonely places, harsh solitude, implacable routine. Lighthouse-keeper seems to be the perfect fit.
On the way to take up a temporary appointment at Janus Rock, far off the West Australian coast where the Indian Ocean washes into the Great Southern Ocean, he rescues a wealthy young woman. His upright character, his compassion for others and his deep sense of honour is established in this single in ...more
4.5 stars
A stunning debut by new voice, Australian Margot L Stedman. So beautifully written it takes your breath away.
Many years ago my family visited Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, built in 1896 and situated at the most south-westerly point of Australia. Ms Stedman modeled Janus Rock lighthouse (The Light Between Oceans) on the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, and whilst the fictional Janus Rock is 100 miles off the coast of Western Australia the author has captured the harsh beauty and almost eerie isolati ...more
A stunning debut by new voice, Australian Margot L Stedman. So beautifully written it takes your breath away.
Many years ago my family visited Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, built in 1896 and situated at the most south-westerly point of Australia. Ms Stedman modeled Janus Rock lighthouse (The Light Between Oceans) on the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, and whilst the fictional Janus Rock is 100 miles off the coast of Western Australia the author has captured the harsh beauty and almost eerie isolati ...more
Nov 27, 2012
Terri
added it
Such an incredible book.
I started this last night and just finished. I'm still wiping my eyes. I'm childless by choice and I still feel emotionally gutted by what I've read.
Apart from the central storyline, which I won't comment on to avoid spoiling, the author touches on the minor characters own losses of unborn and young children, and fully grown children lost to war. It brings home that less than a hundred years ago, these losses were the norm in every town around Australia.
One particular pas ...more
I started this last night and just finished. I'm still wiping my eyes. I'm childless by choice and I still feel emotionally gutted by what I've read.
Apart from the central storyline, which I won't comment on to avoid spoiling, the author touches on the minor characters own losses of unborn and young children, and fully grown children lost to war. It brings home that less than a hundred years ago, these losses were the norm in every town around Australia.
One particular pas ...more
May 03, 2016
Dzintra aka Ingrid
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
now-reading
Oh my, I don't think I've read such a powerful book in such a long, long time! Powerful in imagination of the spectacular scenery, the emotions brought up....tears...joy....frustration....and above all, Love. It's just after mid-day writing this and I'm not dressed yet, I just had to finish it! Thank you M.L. Stedman for this very heart-felt book.....I couldn't put it down!
...more
After a slow start, it turned into a compelling read that I could not put down. I did not expect it to emotionally affect me as much as it did.
Great characters - dreadful moral dilemmas, beautifully handled. great sense of place on harsh Australian coastline. Really good read.
Most definitely a solid 3.5 stars.
Aug 13, 2012
Cornelia
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
australia,
abc-bookclub
Aug 19, 2012
Séamaisiona
marked it as to-read
Sep 27, 2012
Tracy Kavanagh
marked it as to-read
Dec 06, 2012
Charles
marked it as to-read
Jun 30, 2013
Nancy
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
australia,
historical-fiction
