The Light Between Oceans

A Novel

By: M L Stedman

Narrated by: Noah Taylor

After four harrowing years on the Western Front, Tom Sherbourne returns to Australia and takes a job as the lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock, nearly half a day’s journey from the coast.

To this isolated island, where the supply boat comes once a season, Tom brings a young, bold, and loving wife, Isabel. Years later, after two miscarriages and one stillbirth, the grieving Isabel hears a baby’s cries on the wind. A boat has washed up onshore carrying a dead man and a living baby.

Tom, who keeps meticulous records and whose moral principles have withstood a horrific war, wants to report the man and infant immediately. But Isabel insists the baby is a “gift from God,” and against Tom’s judgment, they claim her as their own and name her Lucy. When she is two, Tom and Isabel return to the mainland and are reminded that there are other people in the world. Their choice has devastated one of them.

©2012 M. L. Stedman (P)2014 Audible Studios

Critic reviews

“irresistible…seductive…with a high concept plot that keeps you riveted from the first page” ( O, The Oprah Magazine)

Great story, disappointing narration.

I loved this book. It was a very heartbreaking story on so many levels and I found myself very involved with the characters. I found Noah Taylor’s performance disappointing, primarily because so often he would swallow the ends of sentences and it was really difficult to decipher the words even at the highest volume.

A tragedy waiting to happen.

What did you love best about The Light Between Oceans?

The idea that 'ordinary' people could do something so out of the ordinary.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Tom, he was such a tortured man in so many ways.

How could the performance have been better?

Noah Taylor is a great actor. He should stick to acting. As a narrator I found him frustrating...he would speed up the narration at the beginning of a new paragraph...then slow down and fade at the end of a sentence. And I swear I heard him yawn at one stage! If not for the engrossing story I would have given up after the first hour...but I had heard it was a good tale so I kept going. But his narration annoyed me right to the end. Sorry Noah...but stick to what you do best :)

If you could rename The Light Between Oceans, what would you call it?

Janus.

Any additional comments?

Audible...please re record this fabulous story with a different narrator.

Connect Only Connect!

This book is a fabulously engaging read, well written & satisfyingly executed. The main setting for the story is an island lighthouse off the south west coast of Western Australia. The physical elements of sea, sky and isolation are integral to the telling of the tale which explores the nature of love relationships and their impact for a lifetime. Against this backdrop of unusual physical isolation the author sets up the occurrence of events to illustrate the profound significance of human attachment.

Beautiful story about love

This is a such beautifully written story about love for your partner and love for your children. I really enjoyed the scenery and all the characters. The story developed organically and I really enjoyed it!

Just lovely

Lighthouse, loneliness, longing, lies.
Well read. Left me aching for south of the Margaret River, Western Australia.