The Light Between Oceans Read-A-Long discussion

The jig is UP! Everything seemed to come crashing down for Tom and Isabel in these chapters. Their biggest secret was finally revealed!

Starting from the beginning of the chapters, we learn that Hannah was the woman from the boat that Tom saved early in the novel. When Tom realizes this he is not only shocked that he is being approached by Lucy’s real mother, but that him and Hannah have a connection that goes years back.

It’s in this scene that we see Hannah meet her real child and not even know Lucy is her daughter! It was so heartbreaking to see her interact with Lucy, to see her pain and to be unaware that Tom and Isabel were the cause of it.

The biggest game changer in these chapters was the rattle and the note that was left with Hannah. This was the undoing of their entire secret. It finally comes out that all this time Tom was the one who sent the letter two years ago and who sent the rattle. In our last discussion, many of us touched on Stedman implying it was Isabel who had sent the letter and now we learn that it was Tom.

It’s in the following moments that we see Isabel distance herself from her husband. She sees Tom as her ultimate betrayer, as a traitor to her and her daughter.

Tom takes the blame for his wife, sheltering her from the hands of the law, and in return she calls him a monster.

My favourite quote:

“The Janus bubble had shattered like glass: here he was, in a crowd, in an ordinary real room, full of people, of other lives.” (pg 187, ch 21)

QUESTIONS:

1. What was the most shocking revelation for you in these chapters? Such as: Hannah being the woman on the boat, Tom sending the letter and the rattle, Bluey giving them up, etc.

2. Tom and Isabel’s deception impacts the lives of everyone around them. What did you think of the other characters’ reactions when they discover the truth about Lucy? Consider Hannah, Gwen, Septimus, Isabel’s parents, Ralph, Bluey.

3. Can we sympathize with Isabel in these chapters? Wouldn’t many of us react the same way if our child was taken away from us?

4. How do you think Isabel will use the “weapons” Tom provided her to make him suffer?

3 - Poor Isabel! I understand Tom's desire to reassure Hannah, and I think if we'd been more enmeshed in Hannah's story from the start rather than Tom and Isabel's, I might feel differently. But as it is, I feel horrible for Isabel and Tom's loss. The scorpion scene in particular showed how much Tom loves his daughter so I can't even imagine how horrible this must be for them.

4 - it sounds (from the conversation between the policemen) as if Tom has thrown himself under the bus on this, in order to protect Isabel, which is super noble of him but probably not smart. It also sounds as if Isabel is planning to take advantage of that and take revenge on Tom by not admitting her complicity in the whole thing. Which is horrible but I can also sympathize with her desire for revenge.

1 - Bluey and his mother's betrayal was surprising and felt much worse to me than Isabel's decision to take revenge on Tom because their motives were so mercenary.

2 - I like how the policeman wonders if Isabel is as delusional as he'd originally thought Hannah was. He's a kind man and tries to understand people rather than judge. Isabel's parents felt so much like enablers though -- while I sympathize with Isabel, they seem to baby her and I feel she needs a bit of harsh reality right now.

1. Bluey giving them up was the most shocking revelation. He seemed like the kind of person that wouldn't do that sort of thing. He seemed like someone who would talk to Tom first before he said anything.

2. All the reactions from the bystanders was so overwhelming. I felt bad all around. Isabel's parents thought her daughter was wronged and couldn't see the fault in the situation for a while. Hannah having her child back finally after all the years of people thinking she was crazy.

3. We can definitely sympathize with Isabel in these chapters. I couldn't imagine losing someone that I had raised for most of their life. But Hannah also makes us think the other way. I couldn't imagine giving birth to a child and having it go missing along with my husband so soon after. Both reactions from these woman is how I would react in either situation. I also understand how Tom needed to get this off his chest and reassure Hannah. He's a stickler for rules and doing the right thing and knowing the truth was eating him up inside.

4. It looks like Isabel will use Tom's lie in order to get revenge on him for taking Lucy away from here. She will keep her mouth shut and keep the truth to herself. Words/the truth are a powerful weapon. Also, this is very naive and just shows her true character!

So much is happening right now that it was hard to stop after Chapter 25!

1. The most shocking revelation is Bluey telling about the rattle for the reward money.

2. I wasn't surprised about anyone's reactions so far. Isabel's family and the police officer that knew her since she was little, believe she was the victim. I look forward to seeing how everyone reacts when they find out more about what happened.

3. I know that Isabel is losing her daughter and her world is falling apart, but I was not happy with how she is turning against Tom.

4. Yes, the conversation between the police officers sounds like Tom has taken all of the blame and that Isabel was not responsible for any of it. Once again, Tom is trying to do right by Isabel. I think that Isabel is angry enough to let it happen.

1. I think two things shocked me: Tom being the one that wrote the notes (I really thought it was Izzy trying to redeem herself in the eyes of God by reassuring Hannah that the child was safe and loved) & that Bluey ratted them out (though I think realistically he was doing the right thing even if it feels like it isn't).

2. I think Hannah's family finally is relieved to be over with all of Hannah's craziness. And Izzy's family is obviously shocked and thinks their daughter is still perfect (little do they know she masterminded the entire thing). Ralph, well considering he went home and hugged his wife, I feel like he understands the dilemma - them having lost babies, found one and kept her and now her being torn away from the only family she's ever known - I think he can see both sides.

3. I'm torn on this. I feel like Lucy should be with her real family, but at the same time she has only ever known Izzy & Tom as her parents so it must be terrible for her. So I think as a mother myself, I can feel for Izzy as it would be like tearing your heart out because she has raised this little one as her own for a few years now - they are attached and it's hard to let go. She did create the mess they are in, but I think I still can feel her pain.

4. Honestly, I'm not sure how she will use the information to hurt him. He's already taken the fall, it's not like she'd come out and say it was all her fault now. And obviously Lucy is not theirs, so I don't see her using Lucy/Grace as a weapon. It's going to be using his words as a weapon, but I'm not sure how - perhaps since she is delusional about how Tom & Hannah know each other she'll make him sound like cheater/womanizer? Maybe she'll divorce him and leave him alone?

"He struggles to make sense of it - all this love, so bent out of shape, refracted, like light through the lens." pg. 225

Simon & Schuster Canada wrote: "The jig is UP! Everything seemed to come crashing down for Tom and Isabel in these chapters. Their biggest secret was finally revealed!

Starting from the beginning of the chapters, we learn that ..."

Hi, I am very sorry, I misunderstood the way you were reading the book. I read it completely and loved it. Thanks for inviting me to join this group. Hopefully I won't make the same mistake in future. Cheers, happy reading, Francesca

This section of the book is absolutely heart wrenching!

1. I am most surprised by Bluey's actions. It seemed as though he was coerced into going to the police. I thought he had more back bone than that, but in the end I do have to agree with his actions.

2. Isabel's parents surprised me in their reactions to the news. I suppose that one always protects their own children and Isabel is all they have left. Their denial of their daughter's actions is surprising to me at this point.

3. I felt empathy for Isabel, but I feel more for Lucy and Tom at this point. Isabel went into this with her eyes wide open as far as I am concerned.

4. I hope that Isabel changes her mind, but it does seem as though she is going to pin Tom for her own actions. Maybe she will soften as the story progresses.

I complete forgot about how Tom came to the rescue of the woman on the ship until the very moment Hannah was approaching him at the event. I was very surprised that Bluey was so easily persuaded to betray Tom after many years of friendship.

I also felt bad all around for the characters. This is an impossible situation where nobody wins and everybody gets hurt. Truly a horrible situation.

As a parent, I empathize with Isabel even though I didn't agree with her insistence on keeping Lucy. I would be completely devastated to lose my child as well. I would feel that Tom had betrayed me and he could never be forgiven. The wound would be that deep and painful.

Wow! These were hard chapters to read! So awful for everyone!

1. I think I was most shocked by Bluey giving them up. He was pushed into it strongly by his mother but I still would have thought he would have been loyal to Tom.

2. I can understand the disbelief of everyone, especially Isabel's parents. She was spoiled all her life and it makes perfect sense that her parents would take her side. It's also their only grandchild in the middle so I imagine they will fight for her!

3. I definitely sympathize with Isabel and it's totally understandable that she becomes morose and angry. I am pretty concerned about her need for vengeance though because I don't think Tom deserves it. He has tried to always do the right thing and even now is trying to protect Isabel. I have a feeling that Isabel will completely turn on him. :(

4. I think Isabel will lie and say everything was Tom's idea and that he made her keep the baby. She might even make up a story about seeing him kill Frank!!!

1. For me the most shocking was Hannah being the woman on the boat. I had to go back and reread that chapter. That part of the story seemed so insignificant. More just setting the character of Tom. Definitely the most shocking. But I think the meeting on the boat was fairly insignificant. They didn't exchange names and no relationship was formed - that we can tell. Isabel seems to be blowing it out of proportion. Tom never realized the two women were the same and it was before he met Isabel.

2. There will definitely be a lot of heartbreak as this unravels. Anger too. I hope Isabel takes her share of the responsibility so that all the shame doesn't fall on poor Tom.

3. For sure, there is sympathy for Isabel. All she has wanted is to be a mother. She has deeply cared and loved Lucy. Isabel has also suffered great losses. But her happiness now is at the expense of Hannah and her family's happiness. Also, Isabel didn't set out to do wrong and take someone's baby. The baby came to her.

4. I think that Isabel is so angry with Tom for upsetting her world that she will let Tom take all the blame.

Wouldn't it be a crazy twist if Hannah and Tom end up together?

Shonna wrote: "1. For me the most shocking was Hannah being the woman on the boat. I had to go back and reread that chapter. That part of the story seemed so insignificant. More just setting the character of Tom...."

That would be so shocking! I can't help but imagine that actually happening now...Isabel would be furious!

1. I think Isabel turning on Tom was the most surprising for me. I know that having someone destroy your family is a big deal and a breaking point, but I did think that they'd stick it through. I thought they'd work together to come up with someone. I guess their relationship wasn't as strong as I'd anticipated.

2. I think that they basically destroyed Isabel's parents through this. They not only find out taht their grandkid is not theirs, but that their daughter is a kidnapper. That's a lot when they're all you have. I think they've made it harder for everyone else as a general. That's a big shock for everyone, no matter what side you're on.

3. I think we'd all react that way if our kid was taken away, but I also think Isabel deserved it, and therefore gets no sympathy from me. She needs to take responsibility for her actions, for better or worse.

4. Isabel's going to try and destroy Tom. He ruined the picture perfect life she'd created for herself, and then handed her the weapons to finish the job. Tom's an idiot for thinking that she was going to go easy on him or ever forgive him.

This book annoys me the more I read it. I don't like any of the characters and I don't find myself identifying with them in any way.



QUESTIONS:

1. What was the most shocking revelation for you in these chapters? Such as: Hannah being the woman on the boat, Tom sending the letter and the rattle, Bluey giving them up, etc.

I was most surprised by Hannah being the woman on the boat. I didn't see that coming and it is my favourite part of the book so far. Completely unpredictable.

2. Tom and Isabel’s deception impacts the lives of everyone around them. What did you think of the other characters’ reactions when they discover the truth about Lucy? Consider Hannah, Gwen, Septimus, Isabel’s parents, Ralph, Bluey.

I am not at all surprised that Isabel's parents are in favour of Isabel and believe her and Tom to be innocent. Once they have more information, will they maintain this?


3. Can we sympathize with Isabel in these chapters? Wouldn’t many of us react the same way if our child was taken away from us?

I have no sympathy for Isabel. She has gone right off the deep end. Something in her is broken and twisted and she will never accept responsibility for what she has done.

4. How do you think Isabel will use the “weapons” Tom provided her to make him suffer?

I expect that Isabel will work hard at ensuring Tom is punished to the utmost of the law. He has already laid the groundwork by accepting the blame.

I really hope the next section of the book gets better, I am so frustrated to be reading it.

Hey Guys, just got back from vacation! I didn't forget about this read-along, I took notes and read when I needed to but didn't get near a computer! Here are my answers...

1. To me, the most shocking news was hearing that Hannah was the girl on the boat from the beginning. It seemed like that part of the book was just to put forth Tom's personality and need to do right for/by everyone. It seemed so little and insignificant that I kind of forgot about it until they met again. It was definitely something that I should have kept in mind and should have known that it would be such an important part of the book (especially now that I know every little detail M.L Stedman writes in her book is meaningful!)

2. Isabels parents are reacting "properly" towards all of this I think, trying to comfort Isabel and get down to the truth of the matter, still in shock and not too sure what's happening to their daughters family.

3. I can sympathize with Isabel in the case that she just had her child taken away from her, and she's extremely upset and shutting everyone out. I feel like she is being a little too harsh on Tom, but I can also understand that she feels betrayed deeply by him.

4. Its hard to say. She seems to just want to sit back quietly and let Tom take all the blame.