47 pages • 1 hour read
The Light Between Oceans
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Book Brief
345
Novel • Fiction
Western Australia • 1920s
2012
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In M.L. Stedman's debut novel, The Light Between Oceans, war hero Tom Sherbourne becomes a lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock, where he and his wife Isabel raise a foundling baby as their own but face dire consequences when the child's biological mother is discovered alive. The novel touches on themes related to infant loss, parental separation, and moral dilemmas.
Melancholic
Bittersweet
Romantic
Emotional
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
550,088 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman is widely praised for its poignant writing and evocative descriptions of post-World War I Australia. Critics appreciate its complex moral dilemmas and emotional depth. However, some readers find the pacing slow and the resolution predictable. Overall, it’s a moving tale with a strong sense of place, though not without minor flaws.
Who Should Read The Light Between Oceans?
Readers who relish emotionally complex historical fiction with moral dilemmas akin to those in All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr or The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah will be captivated by The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman. Fans of character-driven narratives and evocative settings will find this novel particularly appealing.
550,088 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Isabel Graysmark Sherbourne
Isabel Graysmark Sherbourne
Known as Izzy, she is a spirited woman who marries Tom and lives on Janus Rock. She is determined to shape her own destiny, particularly when it comes to matters of family and motherhood.
Hannah Potts Roennfeldt
Hannah Potts Roennfeldt
The daughter of a wealthy timber man, she is estranged from her family due to her marriage to Frank, and she remains hopeful for news of her missing family members after their disappearance.
Frank Roennfeldt
Frank Roennfeldt
An Austrian man often mistaken for a German, he is married to Hannah and is known for his forgiving nature, which influences those around him.
Septimus Potts
Septimus Potts
Hannah's father, who is a wealthy timber man and initially disowned her for her marriage to Frank. He plays a role in trying to connect his granddaughter with her past and her new life in Partageuse.
345
Novel • Fiction
Western Australia • 1920s
2012
Adult
18+ years
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