Book Review: The Light Between Oceans

By Jessica Asbell

What would you do if your chance at happiness caused someone else a lifetime of pain? In The Light Between Oceans, by M.L. Stedman, Tom Sherbourne is the keeper of the light on Janus, a small island off the coast of Australia. He is there to keep ships from harms way. He marries Isabel, and they become the only two inhabitants on the island.

Isabel wants plenty of children, but after two miscarriages followed by a stillbirth, she is grief-stricken until a dinghy washes ashore with a dead man and a healthy, wailing infant. Isabel takes the infant and soothes her. As the keeper of the lighthouse, it is Toms duty to report this incident. But Isabel convinces him to wait. A day turns into years. And eventually, its time to go back to the mainland to have Lucy christened.

Tom is uneasy, knowing he should have reported their discovery. By this time, they have learned that the mother was not dead, and in fact, had been mourning her husband and infant daughter for years. What are they to do?

M.L. Stedman creates a beautifully written story of pain, family and how our choices can change so many lives. The Light Between Oceans will make you feel the characters grief, pain and happiness. Its a wonderfully written book.

Jessica Asbell is an avid reader and a childrens minister. She holds a BBA from Mercer and a Master of Divinity in Christian education from McAfee School of Theology. Shes also a frequent customer at Foxtale Book Shoppe. 770-516-9989. FoxTaleBooks.com