This is a book I would not have necessarily chosen to read if I was looking for a book at the library or in a bookshop. The genre is similar to what I like but there is something about the title and blurb that would not have swayed me into picking it up and starting it. However, it was a book leant to me by a friend who had already read it and said it was a good read.
The book is essentially a love story about a couple living on a remote island as lighthouse keepers. Circumstances beyond their control mean that they suffer a series of devastating blows in their efforts to have children when fate seemingly steps in to lend a helping hand an enable their dream of becoming parents. The timing of events means they make a decision they likely know is wrong in order to achieve their dream. While not bad people, they made a bad decision that ultimately cost them and other people dearly. The thing about this book is it does bring home the possibility that good people can make bad choices given certain circumstances. That doesn’t make it right though and there are still consequences for those bad choices. The author captures this concept well enabling the reader to feel sympathy for the wrong doers despite their bad decision.
It was certainly a nice easy read and a book I would recommend to someone looking for a light read. I give it a 3.5 out of 5.
More information on the book can be found here: http://www.randomhouse.com.au/books/m-l-stedman/the-light-between-oceans-9781742755717.aspx