The Light Between Oceans Read-A-Long discussion

As we come to the end of our read-a-long, we only had a couple chapters left and I applaud those of you who were able to resist finishing the book. Separating these chapters from the ones discussed last week was a nice natural break as Stedman has now taken us six months later into the story. We learn Tom went to jail for a short period of time. Isabel also went to jail, but we learn the impact of losing Lucy put her into a depression and she had to stay in a monitored home until she recovered.

Making mistakes and forgiveness felt like the main themes of these last chapters. The story shifted back to Tom and Isabel’s perspective and now that the dust has settled, my heart truly goes out to both of them. Imagining what it must be like to live such a happy fulfilled life with your daughter and now knowing you’ll never be able to see her again. It’s so interesting how things come full circle in the story and the parallels between Tom and Isabel’s lives and Hannah’s.

We see that Tom and Isabel have a lot to work through in terms of their marriage. Isabel still resents Tom for what he did. As the chapter continued, we learn that they did reconcile and that Isabel fully repents for her wrongdoings. The pages where Isabel’s health begins to deteriorate was so hard to read, especially from Tom’s point of view. Just knowing the unconditional love that Tom has had for her through their entire lives made it that much more sad. She truly opened his heart.

“His Izzy. His other half of the sky” pg. 337 (Was I the only one who welled up at this?)

I think the most heartbreaking part of the entire book was when Lucy returns back to see the Sherbournes’ and Isabel has already passed.

It’s the last passage that is so important, and this quote truly sums up the entire book:

“Scars are just another kind of memory.” Pg 343

Can you believe it’s been 8 weeks? This has been such an enjoyable experience and I truly enjoyed this book. I hope you all did too! My only discussion question is:

1. Share your thoughts on the book as a whole. What did you like? What did you dislike? What were your favourite parts?

2. Has the book made you want to see the film?

It has been lovely, thank you everyone!

Caitlyn

This was a completely beautiful and totally heartbreaking book. It's a really hard story to read, especially near the end but definitely worth the pain! I think my favorite parts were at the lighthouse before everything went wrong. I loved reading about that isolated island and their life was so interesting out there. I don't know if I could do it! The book has definitely made me want to see the film but now I know that I had better take a whole bunch of tissues with me!

I loved this book so much. I have to admit I did give in and couldn't keep to schedule and ended up finishing it a few weeks ago. It's so hard to stop once you get so invested in the book!

I definitely want to see the film now. I wanted to see it prior to reading the book just because Michael Fassbender is in it haha but now especially after completing it!

I really liked the prior to the mess part of it all like Susan said. But once the sh** hit the fan I felt I couldn't put the book down because so much emotion was being thrown at me from all perspectives and I needed to see how it all ended.

I definitely teared up when Lucy finally made it and saw Tom but learned that Izzy had passed. That was a bittersweet moment.

Glad to be part of this!

This was the first time that I have read a book following a schedule and I really enjoyed it. There were definitely times that I wanted to continue reading to the end, but I found that by only reading a few chapters at a time, I focused more on small details that I might have skimmed over by reading it all at once.

I am glad that Lucy-Grace was able to adjust to life with Hannah and that she had a happy childhood. I felt sorry for Isabel, especially since she never got to see Lucy again. Tom has suffered along with Isabel for many years, but has a second chance to be in Lucy-Grace’s life.

Thanks Caitlyn and Simon & Schuster Canada for having this read-a-long. I enjoyed it and I am looking forward to seeing the movie.

I really did enjoy this book and would recommend it to anyone and everyone (I already have!!). This was my first read-along and while I did enjoy this, I found it hard to keep on the schedule. I just wanted to read it from beginning to end! I loved the writing of this novel. Stedman did a phenomenal job with the little details and trying each and everything together. There wasn't anything that I didn't like to be honest! From beginning to end, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I balled like a baby in the end, and Lucy/Grace coming back may have been my favourite part! To know that she was aware of what happened and obviously wasn't "wiped clean" of the memories and stories of her other family really stood out to me. I'm happy she took the time to reconnect with Tom.

2. I think regardless of whether or not I read the book, the movie looks great and I plan on seeing it!

I can't wait to read other peoples thoughts and reactions to the book. And thank you Simon & Schuster for hosting this fun read along!

I couldn't resist finishing the book all in one swig, hence why I have been MIA in the last few discussions. However now I get to gush about how much I LOVED this book. It was the most heart wrenching and poetic love story I've read this year. It may have even become one of my favourites.
I loved everything about this book. It was a deep, intricate and involved read. The characters were real and raw. The story was built up with ease and a good pace.

I did find the last chapter a bit surreal. It took some time to process it all, and it too left my a bit teary eyed. I loved how it tied up everything in the end.

I have recommended it to anyone who will listen, and I will definitely be seeing the movie this upcoming Labour weekend!

Thank you for inviting me to this read-a-long! It was a new experience for me, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Perhaps I'll manage some self control next time. It was lovely to discuss the book with some fellow bookworms<3

I did continue on until the end! The ending is so perfect and I think that you are right in saying that Lucy/Grace's visit with Tom was very heartbreaking. Tom always seemed to me to be a victim in the story and I am glad to see him have a moment of happiness. I absolutely loved this story! The writing is so beautiful and really had me desperate to visit Australia.

I hope that everyone has an opportunity to see the film and I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the way it is translated to the screen.

Overall the book was emotionally charged for me, as I am a new mother so the tears were flowing quite a few times during the story. Honestly, I could understand both Izzy and Hannah's experiences as mothers. I did not agree with what Izzy did, but I understood it - until they found out about Hannah.

What turmoil it must have been for Tom to agonize over the "right" decision.

I love that Lucy finally made it to visit with Tom and Izzy, but it broke my heart that Izzy had passed just before she arrived. It made me hopeful for the future for them as it sounds like Lucy wants a relationship with Tom since she remembers him.

Overall I loved this book and I hope to see the movie. I'm sure I'll be crying my eyes out seeing it on the big screen too!

Totally did not resist finishing it early... Oh well.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. Most of the time, I was incredibly frustrated with the characters, and all of their stupid decisions, but I think there's something to be said when an author can create those feelings in you, and you still don't put the book down.

I liked how the book ended, but I wish that it had been left a bit more open. I wish that the scenes with Lucy-Grace going to see Tom as an adult had been left out. It would have been so much better to be left wondering, and not get all the answers, and I think Stedman missed a good opportunity there. I guess it shows us that Isabel never gave up on the child, but it ruined the ending a bit for me.

I'm curious to see the movie. While I enjoyed the book, I'm a bit more hesitant when it comes to seeing this on film, because I am not sure how well it will translate. But I'll watch it anyway, and see how it holds up, and even if it sucks, there will probably be lots of beautiful shots of the ocean.

I admit that I also read ahead and finished the book ahead of schedule because the story was so good, I needed to know what happened next!

Overall, I thought the book was elegantly written and the author did such a wonderful job of presenting the impossible situation the characters were in. I found it easy to relate to all sides and think that's what made the book so heart wrenching.

I can't wait to watch the movie and I think Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander are the perfect actors to play Tom and Isabel. Thanks for inviting me to read the book S&S!

I loved it. Very emotional especially when Lucy-Grace remembered some parts of her childhood with them. Very sad that they both had a lot of love but never had a child of their own. Lovely book with both sides are in pain.

Will see the movie.