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jonnypw's review against another edition
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lottie1803's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
krissyfoley's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a wonderful read! Very emotional and, at times, upsetting, infuriating and maddening in a super effective way. The characters were portrayed so vividly and deeply that I could feel what they were feeling. Both the story and the writing were fantastic. I give it four stars because the plot was a bit choppy at times, and I think the ending could’ve been sped up quite a bit. I’m glad Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender met making this into a movie. They seem like a great couple.
deniselk's review against another edition
3.5
I'm so unsure what rating to give this book. I think the writing was done very well. I really disliked the audio narrator as he was almost mumbling. I know he had the accent, but I had to listen closely to understand him. And I really, really didn't like Isabel and the choices she made and her disregard for others.
Probably overall I would give it a 3.5, rounded to a 3. But not because I loved the actual story.
Probably overall I would give it a 3.5, rounded to a 3. But not because I loved the actual story.
mccanizales's review against another edition
The story did not grab my interest at all, I thought it was kind of boring. It could have been the audiobook reader?
atomicyoghurt's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
margiebentley's review against another edition
5.0
When I started this book yesterday morning, I was pretty indifferent about reading it or even finishing it very quickly. After about 100 pages, I couldn't leave the book alone. The story is impressive, will definitely recommend it to others.
contemporarymeepsie's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The Light Between Oceans is a story about right and wrong and how sometimes they look the same. Set in Australia, this novel follows Tom Sherbourne, a man returning from the horrors of the Great War to try pick up the shards of his life and settle in to a new purpose; that purpose is to become a lighthouse keeper on the remote island of Janus. During one of his off-shore leaves he happens across a new light in Isabel Graysmark. At first tentative and unbelieving, Tom holds off their engagement but Isabel is determined and soon they are married, living together on Janus' isolation and desperate for a child. After Isabel's third miscarriage a miracle appears from the ocean. What happens next is a story of motherhood, loss, regret and a battle of morality.
I really enjoyed this book. I already knew I loved the story as I had seen the movie long before reading the book. I find the characters very realistic and heartfelt, their struggles, plight and reactions to things that happen are believable and grounded in their previous experiences. This book really makes you think about what is right and what is wrong and how single choices can have grave consequences. My only issue that stopped it from being 5 stars is that the tense seems to change in every chapter, often starting the chapter in present tense and then by the end of it, it has flipped to past tense. I found that mildly annoying but it didn't ruin my enjoyment of the whole book.
I would recommend this to anyone like me who likes a book to make you cry. I cried many times.
I really enjoyed this book. I already knew I loved the story as I had seen the movie long before reading the book. I find the characters very realistic and heartfelt, their struggles, plight and reactions to things that happen are believable and grounded in their previous experiences. This book really makes you think about what is right and what is wrong and how single choices can have grave consequences. My only issue that stopped it from being 5 stars is that the tense seems to change in every chapter, often starting the chapter in present tense and then by the end of it, it has flipped to past tense. I found that mildly annoying but it didn't ruin my enjoyment of the whole book.
I would recommend this to anyone like me who likes a book to make you cry. I cried many times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Xenophobia, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Blood, Suicide attempt, and War
Minor: Cancer, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Terminal illness
graceanais's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this book but it has been so lovely to read. It’s exploration of wrong and right and the experience of denial vs facing reality. Beautiful
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage