The Light Between Oceans
Title: The Light Between Oceans
Author: M.L. Stedman
Publication Year: 2012
Genre: Historical Fiction
I have always considered the ocean to be one of the most beautiful and ominous things that we mere human beings have come into contact with. From the first historical accounts of ocean navigation and travel, it seems as if we have always been left with more questions about the expansive body of water that composes most of our planet’s surface than answers. The mystery of it all, combined with thousands of years of lore and exploration, has led to a never-ending source of exploration for literary tradition. The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman is perhaps one of the more recent and unique novels released as a consequence of this beloved literary tradition.
I discovered the novel after watching the 2016 film adaptation starring Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender as I flew to Paris for my study abroad. Although I was unaware of its source at the time, I quickly became emotionally invested in the story and spent the remainder of my flight after watching the movie finishing off my pack of tissues. After looking into the background information for the movie, I made up my mind to purchase a copy of the novel and read it over one of my weekends free from homework.
The Light Between Oceans opens with one of our main characters, Tom Sherborne, accepting as the lone lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock (an island miles away from the Australian shoreline). A World War I veteran who served with the First Australian Imperial Force, Tom sought a job that would provide him with solitude and solace. Before moving to Janus Rock, he meets a young woman named Isabel Graysmark on the mainland. The two strike up a correspondence after Tom begins his work as a lighthouse keeper, and whenever Tom returns to the mainland on his leave periods, they spend time together.
The two decide to marry six months after their meeting and Isabel joins him on Janus Rock. The newly married couple live happily together for a period of time before Isabel expresses a desire for children, resulting in miscarriages and a stillbirth. But when a dingy washed up on the shore carrying an infant girl and a deceased man, their simple life on Janus Rock changes forever. What follows is a stirring story about personal sacrifice, heartbreak, and the power of unparalleled love.
“You don’t think ahead in years or months: you think about this hour, and maybe the next. Anything else is speculation.” - M.L. Stedman
There are three really amazing things that M.L. Stedman accomplishes in The Light Between Oceans. The first, and perhaps greatest thing he does in the novel is strong character development. The plot follows three characters over the course of 10+ years and allows for the constant evolution of their character and relationships. This is especially evident in Tom Sherborne, as he is introduced to readers as a man who constantly struggling with survivor’s guilt and experiences vivid nightmares and memories of his time as a soldier. His marriage to Isabelle alters his perspective of familial relationships from the one so heavily influenced by his difficult childhood.
The second notable thing the author does in his novel is the frequent use of symbolism. The lighthouse, for example, is run by the Sherbornes and plays a literal and figurative role in the highs and lows of their marriage. The ocean, dangerous, loved and oftentimes misunderstood, serves as a symbol of life’s abundance of opportunities and challenges. It could also be said that the symbols used in The Light Between Oceans undergo constant change just as the characters do, sometimes presenting themselves dramatically different than they were within the first few pages of the novel. This, in turn, completely alters the factors that influence the lives of the main characters.
Lastly, M.L. Stedman does an incredible job of setting the tone during a fast-paced plot. As I mentioned before, the story is set over a number of life changing years for the Sherbornes. Not once does Stedman fail to maintain his strong voice and imagery. The movie, as perfect as it is, was unable to replicate this in the same way. Because of this, if you have just discovered A Light Between Oceans, I would heavily recommend reading the novel before viewing the film. I find both of them equally beautiful and heart-rendering, but the novel is especially gorgeous. I can say with confidence that this book is filled to the brim with emotions that I have yet to encounter in any other story!
If you decide to give it a try, feel free to comment down and let me know what you thought about it. I would absolutely love to hear your impressions of this great read! As always, thank you for reading and stay tuned for the next post: a book review of A Countrywoman’s Year by Rosemary Verey. :)
Love always,
Maya.