For The Light Between Oceans we move 'down under', to the south west coast of Australia. This is the perfect summer holiday novel and a great way to savour the allure of faraway hideaways. Whilst it is an emotional rollercoaster of a read, it is also totally absorbing and a book you won’t want to put down.

 

The story is set immediately after the First World War. Tom has survived the war with honours but is finding it difficult to cope with what he has witnessed and experienced during his service. He decides to take refuge as a lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock – a remote posting several hours from the nearest small town on the western coast of Australia. Just prior to embarking he meets Isabel and before he knows it, they are married and living together in isolation as lighthouse keepers. When a boat is washed up ashore, with a father and baby, their lives change forever. 

 

The story is totally gripping and moving. The instant decision that this upright and principled couple make are to have life changing consequences and Stedman ensures you are kept on tender hooks until the very end. The strength of the book is in its storytelling and it is impossible not to be drawn into Tom and Isabel’s lives.

 

Brazenly sentimental.

 

The book was made into a film with Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander and Rachel Wiez in 2016.

 

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