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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

The crying persisted. The door of the ligthhouse clanged in the distance, and Tom's tall frame appeared on the gallery as he scanned the island with the binoculars. 'Izzy!' he yelled, 'a boat!' He vanished and re-emerged at ground level. 'It's a boat all right,' Tom declared. 'And – oh cripes! There's a bloke, but ' The figure was motionless, yet the cries still rang out. He hoisted out a woollen bundle: a woman's soft lavender cardigan wrapped around a tiny, screaming infant.

Tom Sherbourne, released from the horrors of the First World War, is now a lighthouse keeper, cocooned on a remote island with his young wife Izzy, who is content in everything but her failure to have a child.

One April morning, a boat washes ashore carrying a dead man - and a crying baby. Safe from the real world, Tom and Izzy break the rules and follow their hearts.

It is a decision with devastating consequences.


Australian actor NOAH TAYLOR made his name in critically acclaimed films such as The Year My Voice Broke and Shine, and has also appeared in high-profile blockbusters such as the two Lara Croft Tomb Raider films and Tim Burton’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He recently starred in the accomplished British comedy Submarine.

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

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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
This is a novel about a man and his wife who live on a remote rock/island manning the lighthouse. They have lost several babies and then a boat is swept up with a dead man and a very young baby in it. They keep the baby and pass her off as theirs.
Of course, eventually the truth catches up with them and they discover the story behind the baby coming to them and then they know who the mother is and the impact of her loss on her. But the child now loves them and they her - is it more cruel to give her back or keep her?

This audio book is an excellent story which keeps you gripped. The narrative is at times poetic and lilting, the rendition of the island of the lighthouse is deftly handled so much so that you feel you are there.

My main problem with the story was the narration by Noah Taylor. He reads it with feeling and grace and I think for 75% of the story contributes to the enjoyment of the whole thing, however, at times when the story is at a crucial point he speeds up!! so much so that I would have to replay as I find I cant take in the meaning if the words are coming too fast. This may have been a purely personal thing as others dont seem to have had this problem - and I would still highly recommend this audiobook.

The Light Between the Oceans

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The narrator was boring but the story, thought provoking. I ended up reading a book review instead.

Hard listen

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I like to read a book before I see the movie a few neg reviews on this but not deserved . Sensitive reading

Excellent

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Is there anything you would change about this book?

I'm afraid I couldn't understand the narrator. His voice has a pleasant tone, but his diction was really poor. Often he spoke so fast I couldn't process it, and some sections were so softly spoken as to be almost completely inaudible.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Isobel because she was feisty.

What three words best describe Noah Taylor’s performance?

Mumbling, fast, inaudible.

Was The Light Between Oceans worth the listening time?

Yes, but with a better narrator - or this one after elocution lessons.

Any additional comments?

I don't think I have ever listened to a book with such frustration. The writing seemed strong, but I couldn't hear a lot of it!

Spoilt by narrator

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Excellent insightful thought provoking storyline.
Sadly the storyteller was difficult to hear and much was lost in the muttering.

muttering

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