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The Light Between Oceans

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The Light Between Oceans

By: M L Stedman
Narrated by: Noah Taylor
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

Discover the sweeping Sunday Times bestselling and prize-winning novel, made into a major motion picture starring Alicia Vikander, Michael Fassbender, and Rachel Weisz.

After experiencing the horrors of The Western Front, Tom moves to Janus Island to work as a lighthouse keeper. He hopes that life on the remote island with his wife Izzy will bring him peace following the war.
The two of them are happy together, although frustrations arise the longer they try for a child that never comes.
But then, one day, a boat washes up on the shore of their little island. In it, lies a dead man - and a crying baby.

Faced with an impossible decision, Tom and Izzy do what they think is right and follow their hearts. What happens next will break yours.

NEARLY FIVE MILLION COPIES SOLD
'An extraordinary book. Unforgettable' Guardian
'Irresistible . . . a high concept plot that keeps you riveted from the first page' Oprah Magazine
'A love story that is both persuasive and tender' Sunday Times
‘A moving tale. One of this year's must-reads’ Stylist Magazine

© M L Stedman 2012 (P) Penguin Audio 2012

 20th Century Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Women's Fiction Heartfelt Tear-jerking

Critic reviews

A love story that is both persuasive and tender
An extraordinary book . . . Unforgettable
A description of the extraordinary, sustaining power of a marriage to bind two people together in love
It is not only the plot that it so compelling . . . What makes this wonderful novel stand out is the cast of emotionally fragile characters, all of whom inspire tremendous sympathy in the reader
A moving tale . . . prepare to weep
Irresistible . . . seductive . . . a high concept plot that keeps you riveted from the first page
A spectacularly sure storyteller . . . Reading The Light Between Oceans is a total-immersion experience, extraordinarily moving.
The Light Between Oceans unfurls in small acts, at first feeling slight to touch, then building in emotional substance. Into the spaces between words, Stedman breathes an anxiety and pulsating intensity that roils with the ocean and the lighthouse beacon
Book of the Week. Everyone is buzzing about The Light Between Oceans, the gripping debut from M L Stedman
The characters are beautifully drawn . . . A completely unique read. ****
All stars
Most relevant

If you could sum up The Light Between Oceans in three words, what would they be?

Unusual taxing love story

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Light Between Oceans?

For once a novel with a really good ending , pehaps not what the reader would really hope for in terms of the tale but the story was concluded well so you know how the characters end up.

What about Noah Taylor’s performance did you like?

Noah Taylors peformance was gentle and understated.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Books don't often make me cry but this did at several points in the story

Any additional comments?

I was very sad when the book finished . The story showed from several points of view was clever and at times heart warming, at times heart wrenching

Gentle but heart wrenching story

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Noah Taylor's narration, enhances by a mile this audiobook, he captured the emotions so well, I felt he had a tear in his eye @ times by the crack in his voice & I felt obliged to join in! A really great story, well written with very descriptive text, a favourite of mine!

Great story, very descriptive & extremely moving!

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oh boy! The last half of this book nearly killed me - it's so desperately sad. I was a wreck when it finished!

Tear jerkers

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I found this a very moving story. How our actions at any one time that are made totally emotionally and under pressure can so destroy relationships and people themselves. The relationship between parents and their children is such a strong one that anything that disrupts that relationship is very traumatic for both parties. A theme of loss runs through the book which includes the losses during the war years. Although this sadness runs through the story, it is well constructed and a good read. The author gives a very descriptive account of the conditions and creates a very convincing setting for the novel.

What children mean in our lives

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We thoroughly enjoyed this book. Especially the description of life on Janus. The narrator captured the emotion in the characters too. And now it is soon to be released as a film but we are very pleased that we read Stedman's story. Would recommend.

Moving Story

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