The Light Between Oceans

M.L. Stedman has written one of the most powerful debut novels I've read in years.  The Light Between Oceans, while heartbreaking in the extreme, is a difficult book to put down.  I know I was tired after staying up late to finish it.

The novel centers around Tom Sherbourne, a man who has lived a difficult life and is simply looking for a quieter life.  He becomes the lighthouse keeper on Janus Rock, a tiny island off the coast of Australia.  During one of his shore leaves he meets Isabel.  They fall in love and she moves to Janus Rock with Tom.  The story becomes complicated once a boat washes up on shore, containing a dead man and a living infant. 

Tom, who keeps detailed records of what happens on Janus Rock and reports every minor detail, wants to report this to the mainland.  Isabel, who has suffered through a stillbirth and two miscarriages, decides that fate has delivered the child to them.  She convinces Tom to keep the child, but a rift in their marriage has been created.  They soon learn that they are not the only people in the young child's life.

I found this to be a difficult read at times, due to the emotional impact, but it's very well worth it.  It would not surprise me if this book ends up on many awards lists at the end of the year.