The Light Between Oceans cover art

The Light Between Oceans

A Novel

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The Light Between Oceans

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

After four harrowing years on the Western Front, Tom Sherbourne returns to Australia and takes a job as the lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock, nearly half a day’s journey from the coast.

To this isolated island, where the supply boat comes once a season, Tom brings a young, bold, and loving wife, Isabel. Years later, after two miscarriages and one stillbirth, the grieving Isabel hears a baby’s cries on the wind. A boat has washed up onshore carrying a dead man and a living baby.

Tom, who keeps meticulous records and whose moral principles have withstood a horrific war, wants to report the man and infant immediately. But Isabel insists the baby is a 'gift from God,' and against Tom’s judgment, they claim her as their own and name her Lucy. When she is two, Tom and Isabel return to the mainland and are reminded that there are other people in the world. Their choice has devastated one of them.

©2012 M. L. Stedman (P)2014 Audible Studios Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Social Policy Heartfelt

Critic Reviews

“irresistible…seductive…with a high concept plot that keeps you riveted from the first page” ( O, The Oprah Magazine)
All stars
Most relevant  

What made the experience of listening to The Light Between Oceans the most enjoyable?

Heart wrenching tale beautifully read. A tale of loss, love and loneliness set against the magnificence of nature and the hardiness of the human spirit.

What does Noah Taylor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Noah Taylor brings an authentic Australian voice.

Beautifully Read

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Not recommended on audio. The narrator has a lisp and lowers voice on last word.

Narrator let this down

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This is one of the best books I've ever listened to. I didn't know anything about the story before I started but it was absolutely engrossing. The narration was perfect although different to what I expected/ am used to with audiobooks. This is a book that will stay with me for years to come.

Amazing but have the tissue box ready

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I liked the characterisation the reader established but found the continuous dropping of his voice at the end of sentences meant loss of meaning. the story was great but very hard to hear properly.

mixed

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Loved everything about this story. Intriguing, delightful in parts, sad and thought provoking.

Also loved the narration.

Loved it

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Beautifully written, evocative, thoughtful, observant, compassionate, human, painfully raw and real.

I loved this book and want to find out more about the author. A brilliant, wonderful work. Thank you.

Wonderful and haunting, will stick with me for a long while

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this book was so well written it was an absolute pleasure to listen to. excellent

beautifully written

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I really enjoyed this book. Highly recommend. Beautifully written, interesting storyline and enjoyed Noah Taylor's voice.

loved it

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Great story of fate & sadness brought about by love from all sides. Highly reccommend.

Fate, love & sadness.

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loved it. The characters, the light house, the story. Just beautiful.
I also loved the narrator's voice and how he got into character.

heart wrenching and beautiful

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.