Lighthouse Bay

by Kimberley Freeman

From the author of Wildflower Hill, this breathtaking novel travels more than a century between two love stories set in the Australian seaside town of Lighthouse Bay.

In 1901, a ship sinks off the coast of Queensland, Australia. The only survivor is Isabella Winterbourne, who clutches a priceless gift meant for the Australian Parliament. This gift could be her ticket to a new life, free from the bonds of her husband and his overbearing family. But whom can she trust in Lighthouse Bay?

Fast-forward to 2011: after losing her lover, Libby Slater leaves her life in Paris to return to her hometown of Lighthouse Bay, hoping to gain some perspective and grieve her recent loss. Libby also attempts to reconcile with her sister, Juliet, to whom she hasn’t spoken in twenty years. Libby did something so unforgivable, Juliet is unsure if she can ever trust her sister again.

In these two adventurous love stories, both Isabella and Libby must learn that letting go of the past is the only way to move into the future. The answers they seek lie in Lighthouse Bay.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance, Australia, Mystery, Historical, Dual Timeline

478 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Pen name of Kim Wilkins.


Kimberley was born in London and her family moved back to Australia when she was three years old. She grew up in Queensland where she currently lives.

Kimberley has written for as long as she can remember and she is proud to write in many genres. She is an award-winning writer in children’s, historical and speculative fiction under her birth name Kim Wilkins. She adopted the pen name Kimberley Freeman for her commercial women’s fiction novels Duet and Gold Dust to honour her maternal grandmother and to try and capture the spirit of the page-turning novels she has always loved to read. Kim has an Honours degree, a Masters degree and a PhD from The University of Queensland where she is also a lecturer. She lives in Brisbane with her young family.

Reviews

[Karen Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you pick up a Kimberley Freeman novel, there’s a sense in which you know what you’re getting: a wonderful few hours in which to lose yourself in a marvellous time and space, where there’s romance, secrets, mystery, broken hearts and souls and the tools for characters to mend these if they so desire. Her books are like the best comfort food there is.
Lighthouse Bay, a tale that takes place in two different time frames and explores the lives of three very different women who are connected by the vagaries of life, men, and place, is no exception. It is a gorgeously woven and cleverly plotted tale of loss, desire, memory and its power to render an individual static, and the incredible might of forgiveness to facilitate change, especially, self-forgiveness.
It commences with a shipwreck in 1901, when commissioned with making and transporting a gloriously jewelled parliamentary mace to Australia for Federation, the callous, unemotional and aristocratic Arthur Winterbourne, insists his wife, the grieving Isabella, accompany him. When the vessel they’re on is shipwrecked on the north-east coast of Queensland, not too far from the Sunshine Coast, and Isabella is the only survivor, not only must she brave the natural elements to survive, but human ones and the memories of her tragic past as well.
Switch to current times, and we’re introduced to the Libby Slater, a web designer living in Paris who, having lost the love of her life, decides to return to the place of her birth, the imagined Lighthouse Bay, to grieve, recollect herself and, possibly, face some dreadful demons – including her estranged sister, Juliet, who cannot forgive her sister for the terrible thing she did twenty years earlier.
Segueing between the different stories, and the woman at their heart, an evocative tale of self-discovery and reconciliation emerges. As each woman learns to put the past and those who populated it into perspective, they’re able to move forward. But it’s the choices they make in their present that will shape their futures and with an uncanny knack for poor choices, for repeating mistakes, you wonder if these woman have learned anything at all…
I found myself unable to put this book down and stayed up far too late to finish it. While there’s romance in these books, it’s very much a story about women – about their capacity to be good, strong people, who make choices they have to live with: as mothers, sisters, friends and citizens. It’s about having them acknowledge their weaknesses and moving with and beyond them to create possibility – for themselves and those around them who dare to care. I really enjoyed this aspect and found myself caring so deeply about each of the women, and having a weep at the beauty and realism the relationships, good and bad, evoked.
An absolutely wonderful read.

[Γιώτα Παπαδημακοπούλου · Rating 5 out of 5]

Η Kimberley Freeman αποτελεί μία από τις πλέον αγαπητές φιγούρες στο χώρο της σύγχρονης λογοτεχνίας, έχοντας κερδίσει την καρδιά εκατομμυρίων αναγνωστών, πράγμα που αναπόφευκτα θα την έφερνε και στη χώρα μας με ανάλογη επιτυχία. Και πράγματι, τα τελευταία τέσσερα χρόνια, που οι εκδόσεις Διόπτρα έχουν αποκτήσει τα δικαιώματα των βιβλίων της για την μετάφρασή τους στην ελληνική γλώσσα, οι φανατικοί της αναγνώστες ολοένα και αυξάνονται ενώ εκείνοι που ήδη την είχαν αγαπήσει από την πρώτη κιόλας επαφή με το έργο της, περιμένουν με αγωνία και καρδιοχτύπι κάθε νέο της πόνημα. Εντάξει, όχι ακριβώς νέο, αφού στην Ελλάδα τα βιβλία της δεν κυκλοφόρησαν με την ανάλογη σειρά έκδοσης του εξωτερικού, αλλά αυτό δεν έχει και πολύ μεγάλη σημασία, εκτός ίσως του ότι θα μπορούσαμε να έχουμε μία καλύτερη εικόνα όσον αφορά την εξέλιξη -ή μη- της πένας της.

"Η σιωπή του φάρου", λοιπόν, είναι κατά σειρά του δεύτερο μυθιστόρημα της συγγραφέως και όσον αφορά εμένα, σε καθαρά προσωπικό επίπεδο, είναι και το αγαπημένο μου τώρα πια, με τους "Καταρράκτες των Ρόδων" ν' ακολουθούν σε πολύ μικρή απόσταση. Η ιστορία μας, λοιπόν, ξεκινάει εκατόν δέκα χρόνια πριν, με την Ιζαμπέλα να αποτελεί την μοναδική επιζήσασα ενός τρομακτικού ναυαγίου. Στα χέρια της βρίσκεται ένα δώρο ανεκτίμητο, που προοριζόταν για το Κοινοβούλιο της Αυστραλίας το οποίο, ωστόσο, μπορεί να της αλλάξει τη ζωή και να τη βοηθήσει ένα κάνει ένα νέο ξεκίνημα που τόσο μεγάλη ανάγκη το έχει, ξεφεύγοντας από την καταπίεση του συζύγου και της οικογένειάς του, για τους οποίους δεν νιώθει τίποτα. Στο 2011, η Λίμπι εγκαταλείπει το Παρίσι έπειτα από τον αιφνίδιο θάνατο του συντρόφου της, επιστρέφοντας στο πατρικό της, στον Όρμο του Φάρου, αναζητώντας την ευκαιρία να τα βρει με τον εαυτό της, αλλά και με την αδερφή της Τζουλιέτ, με την οποία την χωρίζει μια τρομερή πράξη του παρελθόντος, ένα σφάλμα στο οποίο η ίδια υπέπεσε είκοσι χρόνια πριν.

Η Freeman χρησιμοποιεί σε όλα της τα βιβλία, σε άλλα περισσότερο και σε άλλα λιγότερο, την τεχνική της αμφίδρομης αφήγησης, μεταφέροντάς μας στο ίδιο σημείο σε διαφορετικούς χρόνους, επιτρέποντάς μας έτσι να έχουμε μια πλήρη εικόνα της τοπογραφικής εξέλιξης, θα λέγαμε, μέσα στο πέρασμα των δεκαετιών που χωρίζουν τις υποϊστορίες της, πράγμα που βρίσκω ιδιαίτερα συναρπαστικό και αρκετά δύσκολο να αποδοθεί με τέτοιον τρόπο που θα εξιτάρει την φαντασία του αναγνώστη, δημιουργώντας του υποσυνείδητα κοινές εικόνες που όμως διαφέρουν στα σημεία. Η Freeman, λοιπόν, το πετυχαίνει περίφημα, και με τέτοια λεπτή μαεστρία που ακόμα κι αν έχει πρόθεση στην πράξη της αυτή, δεν γίνεται αντιληπτό μέσα από το κείμενό της, με αποτέλεσμα ο δέκτης -αναγνώστης- να λαμβάνει τις εικόνες αβίαστα και φυσικά, και όχι επιτηδευμένα με διάθεση να προκαλέσει τον εντυπωσιασμό του. Άλλωστε, δεν το έχει ανάγκη.

Για μια ακόμα φορά, η Freeman, κεντάει με μεταξένια κλωστή τα υφαντά τριών ζωών και συνθέτει μια δραματουργική αφήγηση μέσω της οποίας ξεπηδά ένα παραμύθι που δεν διστάζει να μιλήσει για την απώλεια, τις κρυφές -ή και φανερές- επιθυμίες, τις μνήμες που δεν σβήνουν και δεν χάνονται ακόμα κι αν προσποιούμαστε πως έτσι έχει συμβεί, αλλά και την απίστευτη δύναμη της συγχώρεσης, όχι μόνο απέναντι σε εκείνους που προσπαθούν ν' αλλάξουν και να γίνουν καλύτεροι για εμάς, αλλά κι απέναντι στον ίδιο μας τον εαυτό που ίσως να είναι ο πρώτος που χρειάζεται ν' αλλάξει. Τα ψυχογραφήματα των ηρωίδων της, αλλά και το εκάστοτε προσωπικό τους δράμα, αποτυπώνεται στο χαρτί με τρόπο δυνατό, μοναδικό, με την ποικιλία των συναισθημάτων που τις πλημμυρίζουν ν' αποτελούν βελονιά τη βελονιά σε ένα κέντημα με σχέδιο ακανόνιστο, που μονάχα στο τέλος μπορείς να έχεις την πλήρη εικόνα του, όταν αυτό θ' αποτινάξει από πάνω του τα πως και τα γιατί και θ' αποδεχτεί τη ρότα της μοίρας και της ίδιας της ζωής.

Συνοψίζοντας, "Η σιωπή του φάρου" είναι μια βαθιά συγκινητική και ανθρώπινη ιστορία που λαμβάνει χώρα σε δύο διαφορετικά χρονικά πλαίσια και διερευνά τις ζωές τριών πολύ διαφορετικών γυναικών, τις μοίρες των οποίων έμελλε να δέσουν άρρηκτα οι ιδιοτροπίες και οι συμπτώσεις της ζωής, οι άνδρες που βρέθηκαν στο δρόμο τους, αλλά και ο τόπος εκείνος που τις σημάδεψε με τρόπους διαφορετικούς, ωστόσο, εξαιρετικά σημαντικούς. Μια ιστορία που βασίζεται όχι μόνο στο συναίσθημα που πηγάζει μέσω της αφήγησης, αλλά και της ρεαλιστικότητας η οποία μας χαρίζεται απλόχερα μέσα από την αφηγηματική ροή της συγγραφέως που είναι βαθιά εξομολογητική και ανθρώπινη, επιτρέποντάς μας να ενσωματωθούμε σε αυτήν, συναισθηματικά, νοητικά αλλά και ηθικά, βάζοντας τους ίδιους μας τους εαυτούς στη θέση των γυναικών αυτών επιτρέποντάς μας με τον τρόπο αυτό να αυτοτιμωρηθούμε, να συγχωρέσουμε και να συγχωρεθούμε, και στο τέλος να βρούμε το δικό μας φάρο.

[Lena Papanikolaou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Αν έμπαινε το μέτρο της σύγκρισης με τα υπόλοιπα βιβλία της θα το χαρακτήριζα υποτονικό. Αν το πιάσουμε όμως μεμονωμένα η συγγραφέας με την λιτή και ατμοσφαιρική γραφή της που δεν περιέχει σε καμία περίπτωση ανούσιες περιγραφές και βαρετές επαναλήψεις καταφέρνει να σε βάλει με μεγάλη μαεστρία στο κλίμα της εποχής .Αυτό οφείλεται στους ολοζώντανους χαρακτήρες του βιβλίου και σίγουρα στην πλούσια πλοκή που είναι μοιρασμένη σε δύο εποχές . Κυριαρχεί πάντα η ίδια σαγηνευτική ατμόσφαιρα που χαρακτηρίζει όλα της τα βιβλία απλά είναι αργή χωρίς όμως αυτό να κουράζει τον αναγνώστη αντίθετα διψάει να μάθει την συνέχεια .

[Evdoxia Kolydaki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Τι ωραίο βιβλίο....αυτό και μόνο...

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Δεν μπορούσα να βαλω περισσοτερα αστεράκια οταν εχω διαβασει τον υπεροχο "λοφο με τα αγριολούλουδα" της ιδιας!!! Ειναι ενα απλα καλο βιβλιο, διαβαζεται γρηγορα αλλα μέχρι εκει.

[Vicky Ziliaskopoulou · Rating 3 out of 5]

Αρκετά καλό. Η ιστορία που αφορά το παρελθόν (αρχές του 20ου αιώνα) μου άρεσε περισσότερο από την ιστορία που διαδραματίζεται στην εποχή μας, αλλά για κάποιο λόγο δεν συμπάθησα κάποια από τις ηρωίδες, καμία από τις δύο. Κυλούσε εύκολα, δεν βαρέθηκα αλλά δεν το βρήκα και συναρπαστικό.

[Maria Papadaki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Πραγματικά ένιωθα ότι έχω βαρεθεί να διαβάζω βιβλία που αναφέρονται και στο παρελθόν και στο μέλλον. Έλεγα πως δεν θα ξαναδιαβάσω άλλο τέτοιο βιβλίο. Μέχρι που μου έκαναν δώρο τη σιωπή του φάρου και τηνείχα απο το καλοκαίρι στη βιβλιοθήκη μου και κάτι με έκανε να την πιάσω στα χέρια μου. Δεν απογοητεύτηκα καθόλου!
Στη σύγχρονη ιστορία παρακολουθούμε τη Λίμπι, που μένει στο Παρίσι και μετά τον θάνατο του εραστή της, του κοσμηματοποιού Μαρκ Γουίντερμπουρν αποφασίζει να εγκαταλείψει τη δουλειά της και να επιστρέψει στη γενέτειρα της, στον Όρμο του Φάρου. Εκεί ο εραστής της της είχε αγοράσει ένα αγροτόσπιτο με σκοπό να την βοηθήσει να ξαναφτοάξει τη σχέση της με την αδερφή της που για είκοσι χρόνια δεν έχουν καμιά επαφή. Αιτία είναι ένα ιδιαίτερο συμβάν που την είχε κάνει να αφήσει τη ζωή της εκεί και να καταφύγει στο Παρίσι.
Στην ιστορία του παρελθόντος, το 1901, βλέπουμε την Ιζαμπέλα που μαζί με τον άντρα της, τον Άρθουρ Γουίντερμπουρν, ταξιδεύει με το καράβι για την μακρινή Αυστραλία, μεταφέροντας μαζί τους κάτι ιδιαίτερα πολύτιμο. Ένα δώρο απο την βασίλισσα για το κοινοβούλιο της Αυστραλίας. Όμως αυτό δεν έχει καμιά σημασία για την Ιζαμπέλα γιατί η ζωή της όλη γυρίζει γύρω απο ένα τραγικό περιστατικό που πέφτει σαν σκιά επάνω της συνέχεια.
Αυτό που συνδέει τις δυο ηρωίδες μας είναι η θλίψη, το πένθος και η σχέση τους με την οικογένεια Γουίντερμπουρν. Θα γνωρίσουν νέους ανθρώπους, θα ανοιχτούν νέοι δρόμοι στη ζωή τους, θα γνωρίσουν τον πραγματικό έρωτα και θα τα βρουν με το παρελθόν τους.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lighthouse Bay is a beautiful book about how two women who lived a century apart found love and forgiveness. In 1901 Isabella Winterbourne travelled to Australia with her husband when their ship sank near LightHouse Bay. Libby Slater came back to Lighthouse Bay after her boyfriend, Mark Winterbourne died. Libby Slater and Damien Allbright came across diaries of Matthew Seaward that started them on a hunt for treasure and finding out who is Isabella Winterhouse. The readers of Lighthouse Bay will continue to follow Libby Slater and Damien Allbright treasure hunt and their investigation into Winterbourne family mystery.

Lighthouse Bay is the first book I have read of Kimberley Freeman, and I did enjoy reading it. I became engaged with the story from the beginning of Lighthouse Bay. I love the way, Kimberley Freeman, entwine the 1901 and 1911 plots throughout Lighthouse Bay. Lighthouse Bay is well written and researched by Kimberley Freeman. I like Kimberley Freeman description of Lighthouse Bay. Kimberley Freeman did an excellent job of portraying her characters.

Lighthouse Bay highlights that family is essential and you should never undervalue your sisters and brothers. The readers of Lighthouse Bay will learn about producing a Jewellery Catalogue. Also, readers of Lighthouse Bay will determine what people will do to get land they want for development large resorts.

I recommend this book

[Kerry Hennigan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Libby Slater returns to Lighthouse Bay on Queensland's Sunshine Coast after years of living in Paris. With the death of her married lover she has given up her high powered job and returned to the town where her estranged sister, Julia, runs a Bed and Breakfast. Libby moves into the house she owns on the beach near the old deserted lighthouse. Only, as she discovers, it isn't quite as deserted as she thinks.

Over a hundred years earlier a ship was wrecked off the coast of Queensland. On board was a very precious cargo - a gift from the British Crown to the Australian Government in celebration of Federation. The ship and its cargo are lost with all hands... or so everyone thinks.

Kimberley Freeman's latest novel, "Lighthouse Bay" tells the parallel stories of Isabella in 1901 and Libby in 2011. Both are haunted by past tragedies; both are looking for ways to fill the holes in their hearts.

Having enjoyed Freeman's previous novel "Wildflower Hill" I approached this new one with expectations for the same undemanding enjoyment. I wasn't disappointed. While this kind of escapist women's fiction is relatively lightweight, it can also be thoroughly entertaining. "Lighthouse Bay" succeeds in being exactly that.

[Trish · Rating 2 out of 5]

I saw this book recommended on one of those "If you like Kate Morton, then check out X" lists. I understand the comparison - two women, a generation or two apart, and a bit of a mystery. And while this was not an awful book, it lacks the skillful storytelling and rich detail of Morton.

I didn't particularly like Libby. I didn't hate her, but the most developed part of her story is her long term affair with a married man. Blech. And Isabella? We're told of several (awful) things that have happened TO her, but I can't say I really knew HER.

It held my interest, and I'd be open to reading something else from the author, but it was completely forgettable. Fine for a mostly mindless entertaining read, though {Just realized that I have read this author before: Duet. Didn't particularly love that one, either!}

(borrowed via ILL)

[Getalocalife · Rating 5 out of 5]

Η αγαπημένη μου Freeman με ένα ακόμη πολύ ωραίο βιβλίο για το οποίο αρχικά είχα αμφιβολίες λόγω του ελαφρώς άτονου τίτλου.
Το κείμενο κινείται χρονικά σε 2 επίπεδα (1901 και 2011) και οι δύο πρωταγωνίστριες ξεκινούν τη ζωή τους από την αρχή η καθεμία για διαφορετικούς λόγους και με το δικό της πένθος.
Η Freeman καταφέρνει κάθε φορά να αναλύσει τους χαρακτήρες της, να εξηγήσει τους φόβους τους και τα κίνητρα τους και να δημιουργήσει τις ιστορίες της ώστε να συνδεθούν αρμονικά στο τέλος του βιβλίου.
Δεν αφήνει κενά ή ασάφειες και φροντίζει να μας εξηγεί κάθε φορά ποια ήταν η μοίρα του κάθε χαρακτήρα της.
Πρόκειται λοιπόν για ένα βιβλίο που αξίζει να το διαβάσει κανείς καθώς στο επίκεντρο βρίσκονται 2 δυνατές γυναίκες που θα κάνουν τα πάντα για να βρουν τον εαυτό τους.

[Stephanie Kline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a surprisingly good novel! I honestly didn't know how I was feeling for about the first quarter (maybe first half), but it picked up really well once I got into the meat of the story, and the conclusion was more satisfying than I'd expected it to be. Really pleased with this first book I've read by Kimberley Freeman.

The story has a very Kate Morton-esque style. It oscillates between the early 1900s story line and the 2011 story line, and it follows a few different main characters who are connected by a location and mystery that spans a century. I love books like these. I almost always find myself more drawn to one story more than the other, and that was true here - I was more enamored by Isabella's story in 1901, but then I'm always drawn to historical fiction. It's to be expected!

Anyway, without giving too much away, I'll say that Isabella Winterbourne is a tortured young woman in an unhappy marriage at the time that her ship, the Aurora, wrecks along the coast of Australia. She'd been travelling with her husband, carrying a priceless gift for the Australian Parliament, but as the ship wrecks, she's the only survivor. Wracked with devastation after the death of her young son a few years before, and never allowed to grieve for him because of her harsh, controlling husband, she feels like the last woman in the world capable of surviving alone. But here she is, on the Australian coast, needing to do just that.

Then in 2011, we have Libby Slater, who's just lost her lover of 12 years while living in France. She comes home to Lighthouse Bay, Australia, where her former love had bought her a cottage that she'd never visited. She hasn't been back to Australia in 20 years, when tragedy severed her relationship with the only family she has - her sister, Juliet (who's not so happy to see that she's back). While settling back in at home, Libby discovers the mystery of the Aurora shipwreck, which happened not far from her cottage, and the lighthouse that sits adjacent to her property. This becomes a way for her to distract herself from her grief and pain, as she tries to rebuild a relationship with her sister and decide if Lighthouse Bay is the place she's meant to remain.

There's a lot of depth to this story - both the older plot and the more modern. All three characters (Isabella, Libby, and Juliet) are scarred and recovering from horrible tragedies in their past. They all have to learn, in their own ways, how to pick up the pieces of their lives, move on, and start anew. They each have setbacks and more than a few conflicts throughout the book, but all become stronger for it.

Strangely, this book made me empathize with all three characters without REALLY liking any of them. I never felt a very strong connection to any of the women, but I cared about their journeys. I'm not sure what that says about the characterization or writing, but it's worth noting. I found that interesting as I listened.

Like I said, the ending was very satisfying. I wasn't sure how things were going to turn out, but I was pleased with it. I will say, the 'twist' at the end was much less than the powerful epiphany that I think the author intended (and in that sense, I'd say this was a weaker version of Kate Morton's typical fare), but it was by no means a letdown. It's the same general story type, just maybe a bit more disjointed than I've read by Morton.

I'd definitely recommend for anyone who's a fan of similar stories, and who's never read Kimberley Freeman. I'll absolutely read more by this author!

[Marg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Libby Slater is in mourning. Her lover of 12 years has died but she can't really openly mourn because she was the other woman, his mistress. Realising that she needed to make some changes to her life, she decides to return to the small town that she grew up in. Her lover, Mark Winterbourne, had bought a home in the town years before but Libby had always been reluctant to visit, mainly due to her fractured family relationships. Now there is just her sister left but after Libby left the small town 20 years before to live in France following a terrible tragedy and only minimal contact during that time, the two women barely have a relationship to speak of.

On returning to the small coastal town, Libby needs to establish a new life but she is also initially keen to hold onto her links with Mark, even if that means working closely with his widow on the new season's catalogue for Mark's family jewellery company. The company has been around for generations, and there is a mystery in the family's past. Back in the early 1900's Arthur Winterbourne travelled to Australia along with his wife Isabel. In his possession was a jewel encrusted mace which had been commissioned by Queen Victoria in honour of the federation of Australia as an independent country.




To read more of my thoughts head to

http://www.theintrepidreader.com/2013...

[Ioanna Bouna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Εκπληκτικη Freeman !!μας ταξιδεψε παλι σε μερη μακρινα..Και οι δυο ιστοριες εξαιρετικα ενδιαφερουσες οπως και οι χαρακτηρες !!!απολαυστικοτατο βιβλιο..

[Tiffany www.instagram.com/tiffs_bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this novel!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kimberley Freeman writes a captivating story of two women separated by 100 yrs but both very similar. Isabella is in a loveless marriage grieving the loss of her child. Libby is mourning the loss of her lover and decides to moves bck home to a sister who she has been estranged from for 20 years. Will these two women be able to find peace and love again??? Will definitely recommend this book to everyone I look forward to reading more from this amazing author

[Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~* · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this story! A really well written past/present novel that didn't over shadow either ones own story, of two strong woman dealing with lost loves, past and present situations and how to deal with them and learn and grow from it and the meaning of family bonds. fans of Susanna Kearsley will enjoy this authors style of writing. Longer review later....

[Ceren Ünlü · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bana böyle kitaplarla gelin işte :D
Yorum blog da : http://kahvedamlasi.blogspot.com.tr/2...

[Christina Ruskjær · Rating 4 out of 5]

Det er en fin historie hvor man både følger en kvinde i 1901 og en kvinde i 2011. Historien om kvinden fra 1901fungerer bedst

[Dee Gurganus · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent read. I have not read Ms Freeman before, but of Lighthouse, beach, somewhat of a mystery caught my attention. And I was not disappointed. Libby, the main character, is a single, well established profession. But like with all of us, event happened that change the course of our lives. Ms Freeman's character development of Libby is steady and only minimal foreshadowing of what her outcome will be. With the background of an abandon lighthouse, beautiful beaches, and Australian sunset. I would encourage you to give this book a try. I don't think you will be disappointed either.

[Kelly Kritikou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Η Kimberley Freeman αποτελεί μια από τις αγαπημένες μου πένες και νιώθω τόσο ευτυχής, που κάθε νέο της πόνημα επιβεβαιώνει το συγγραφικό της ταλέντο και την στοργή με την οποία σμιλεύει τους χαρακτήρες της. Με σύμμαχο τα πανέμορφα τοπία, προσεγγίζει τις ανθρώπινες ψυχές, ξεδιπλώνει τις μύχιες επιθυμίες τους, τους φόβους, τις ανείπωτες ενοχές τους και τους οδηγεί στην εξιλέωση και την ευτυχία. "Η σιωπή του φάρου" εστιάζει στον πόνο της απώλειας, στις οδυνηρές αναμνήσεις, στις σιωπές που αμβλύνουν τις αποστάσεις αλλά και στη δύναμη της συγχώρεσης. Ένα κοινωνικό μυθιστόρημα που περιδιαβαίνει τα σοκάκια της απύθμενης αγάπης και φέρνει κοντά το σήμερα με το χθες.

Εν έτει 1901 η Ιζαμπέλα Γουίντερμπουρν συνοδεύει το σύζυγό της σ' ένα υψίστης σημασίας ταξίδι στην Αυστραλία, για να παραδώσουν ένα δώρο ανεκτίμητης αξίας στο Κοινοβούλιο εκ μέρους της Βασίλισσας. Όμως το καράβι συντρίβεται από τη θαλασσοταραχή στις ακτές του Κουίνσλαντ, και εκείνη είναι η μοναδική διασωθείσα. Το ναυάγιο αυτό αποτελεί το εισιτήριο της για να ξεφύγει από τα δεσμά του γάμου της, αρκεί να βρει κάποιον να τον εμπιστευτεί και να την κρύψει. Θα καταφέρει ο Φάρος να γεμίσει με φως τη μουντή ζωή της και να της αναζωπυρώσει την ελπίδα για ένα ομορφότερο μέλλον;

Ένα αιώνα και κάτι αργότερα, η Λίμπι Σλάτερ επιστρέφει στη γενέτειρά της μετά τον αιφνίδιο θάνατο του εραστή και συντρόφου της για να πενθήσει και να σκεφτεί τα επόμενα βήματά της. Η προσαρμογή της είναι δύσκολη αλλά εκείνη παλεύει να κερδίσει τον χαμένο χρόνο. Πλησιάζει την αδερφή της Τζούλιετ, με την οποία δεν έχει έρθει σε επαφή για είκοσι χρόνια, επιχειρώντας να εξιλεωθεί για το λάθος της. Ένα λάθος που άλλαξε τη ροή της ζωής τους για πάντα, και δημιούργησε ένα τεράστιο χάσμα ανάμεσα τους. Παράλληλα ένας αόρατος κίνδυνος την περικυκλώνει και ο χρόνος μετρά αντίστροφα. Ποια μυστικά κρύβει ακόμα ο Φάρος; Θα προλάβει η αλήθεια να λάμψει ή το χρήμα θα νικήσει την ελπίδα;

Δυο συναρπαστικές ιστορίες που ενώνονται με χάρη και δεξιοτεχνία με το μελάνι της πένας της χαρισματικής Freeman. Με πρωταγωνίστριες δύο γυναίκες που η Μοίρα τις ένωσε με την οικογένεια Γουίντερμπουρν, αποτυπώνει τα ήθη και τις αξίες της εκάστοτε εποχής, τα στερεότυπα, την κοινωνική κατακραυγή. Και οι δύο ηρωίδες έχουν βιώσει τη ψυχική συντριβή της απώλειας και δεν μπορούν να ξεχάσουν. Δεν θέλουν να ξεχάσουν. Θέλουν να ζήσουν με τις αναμνήσεις τους και να βρουν τον τρόπο να ισορροπήσουν. Ρισκάρουν, τολμούν, αψηφούν τα σήματα κινδύνου. Ψάχνουν να βρουν τρόπο για να ζεστάνουν την καρδιά τους, αλλά κάνουν λάθη και πληγώνονται ξανά. Όμως δεν απογοητεύονται. Εμπιστεύονται το ένστικτό τους και το ταλέντο τους και ορμούν στη μάχη πιο δυνατές, πιο αποφασισμένες, πιο σίγουρες. Δεν εγκαταλείπουν. Πιστεύουν βαθιά στην αγάπη και τον έρωτα και προχωρούν μπροστά.

Οι χαρακτήρες που τις πλαισιώνουν, έχουν το δικό τους ειδικό βάρος. Άλλοτε με την απέραντη καλοσύνη τους, άλλοτε με τη συμπόνοια τους, άλλοτε με την ασύνορη αγάπη τους και άλλοτε με το αβυσσαλέο μίσος, αναδεικνύουν την απρόβλεπτη ανθρώπινη φύση και διδάσκουν. Μέσα από τις σελίδες αυτού του σαγηνευτικού πονήματος, προβάλλουν αξίες και αρχές σπουδαίες για κάθε γενιά, με κορυφαία εκείνη της συγχώρεσης. Όσο δύσκολο κι αν φαντάζει, όσο πόνο κι αν σκορπούν οι αποφάσεις μιας στιγμής, η σιωπή δεν είναι η λύση. Οι λέξεις που δεν λέγονται πληγώνουν περισσότερο, μεγαλώνουν την απόσταση, χτίζουν τείχη και αφήνουν τις πληγές να αιμορραγούν για χρόνια. Η στοργή και η θαλπωρή της αγκαλιάς, έχουν την ικανότητα να γιατρεύουν και να ανακουφίζουν το θυμό, τη θλίψη, την απόγνωση.

"Η σιωπή του φάρου" κατόρθωσε να με συγκινήσει βαθιά και να με ταξιδέψει. Η πλοκή της με κράτησε σε αγωνία και ένταση μέχρι το τέλος, χωρίς εξάρσεις στο ρυθμό αλλά με μια δυναμική σταθερότητα που απογείωνε την αδρεναλίνη. Οι εναλλαγές στην αφήγηση είναι χαρακτηριστικό της συγγραφέως και υπηρετεί το σκοπό της εξαιρετικά. Πλοκή, χαρακτήρες, τοπία σε αγαστή συνεργασία, προσφέρουν μια αναγνωστική απόλαυση..

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[Lindsey (Bring My Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gah!!! I absolutely love this author, and cannot wait for her to write more novels! One thing I particularly love about her books is the two stories from two different time periods. Usually when I encounter this writing style, the author tidies everything up in the end with a big "A-ha!!" moment; the present characters come across a journal, a photograph, a newspaper article - something that divulges the entire past mystery to them. Kimberley Freeman writes in what I think is a much more realistic fashion. Her present day characters come across some information, just enough to glean a possible answer to their questions about the past. It is normally the exact information they need to move on, come to grips with some issue they are facing, or find closure in something that has been pressing on them.

In this particular novel, Isabella Winterbourne is the sole survivor of a shipwreck off the coast of Australia in 1901. She carries with her a gift that cannot have a price put to it, something so precious she will go to the ends of the earth to protect it. She is also suffering from a most acute heartbreak, and her journey towards healing her heart is so incredibly moving. In present day 2011, Libby is coming home to Australia after suffering from her own painful heartbreak. She must try to mend past wounds with her sister, whom she has not spoken to in twenty years. While I did enjoy both stories, I was *much* more drawn to the 1901 story than the present day. It's also very hard for me to be sympathetic towards a character that has been a part of marital infidelity, so I will say it's a major feat that Ms. Freeman wrote Libby in a way that I could relate to her. (I still don't like it - at all. But I managed to still care about the character. I loved all of the characters in this novel (Matthew!!!!), and while I know that Ms. Freeman doesn't write sequels, I wish she would just this once! There are quite a few whom I would love to get to know better. ;)

In the middle of the book, I saw a lot of similarities to another recent book concerning lighthouses, The Light Between Oceans (which was absolutely incredible, by the way). Most of these surrounded the lighthouse romance, and the painful ache of losing a child and what that pain could cause some women to consider. As the story unfolded, the two stories lost their similarities, but I was reminded of it quite a lot towards the beginning.

[Helen McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Libby Slater returns to her childhood home after twelve years living in Paris she has no firm plans in place beyond grieving for the married lover she recently lost and attempting to regain some sense of balance. She knows her reappearance in the small coastal community of Lighthouse Bay will raise many eyebrows, especially those of her estranged sister Juliet. The siblings have not spoken in years, unable to resolve the personal tragedy that divided them more two decades before.

Almost a century before Isabella Winterbourne was the only survivor of a shipwreck in the same small town. In possession of a priceless gift intended for the Australian parliament, she sees it as an opportunity to make a new life for herself. But in order to reinvent herself she will need some help - who can she turn to who won't reveal her secret?

The discovery of an old diary plunges Libby into the century old mystery. Amid dealing with her own grief and attempting to re-establish a relationship with her sister, Libby cannot help but be drawn into the tangled web of Isabella's survival and the one person who shielded her from prying local eyes and the gnarly fingers of her cruel in-laws.

The story moved between 1901 and 2011 in a seamless way with alternating chapters telling the stories of Libby and Isabella. The suspense built gradually as the story progressed and towards the end I couldn't turn the pages fast enough, determined to discover just what did happen all those years ago.

I really liked the fact the book was set near my backyard (the Sunshine Coast) and thought the historical references to towns was really well done. The language and settings of the 1901 settings were accurate and I had no trouble transporting myself back in time as I read.

I really loved this book. Although the mystery might not be a jaw dropping one, it was enough to suck me right in and keep me fully engaged. I also enjoyed the modern side of the story and the gradual revelation of the secret that has kept Libby and Juliet estranged for so long.

All in all a beautifully told historical tale. Those who enjoy Kate Morton would also enjoy Lighthouse Bay.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

The year is 1901. Isabella and her husband were traveling by ship when the ship sinks. Isabella survives and makes her way to Lighthouse Bay in Australia. Isabella has nothing but the clothes on her back and a piece of paper. A very important paper that is meant for the Australian Parliament.

Present Day

Libby Slater’s lover dies. She has nothing left, so she heads home to Lighthouse Bay to start over. Due to her actions, Libby is estranged from her sister. She hopes to bridge the gap between them again.

I read Wildflower Hill by this author and enjoyed it. So I wanted to read Kimberley’s next book, Lighthouse Bay. While I did like this book. I was not in love with it as much as the prior novel. Again Ms. Freeman does a good job of intertwining the past with the present. However as with most books that focus on the past and the present, I found that the past is more developed and pulls me into the story then the present. This was the case with this book.

I was more interested in Isabella’s story then I was in Libby’s. However I did lose interest after a while and sort of skimmed the rest of the book. Only because I felt it was progressing slowly and thus the story seemed to drag on. Although I know that Ms. Freeman is a nice storyteller. Lighthouse Bay does shed a beacon of hope.

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel tells the story of Isabella who is a survivor of a shipwreck while on her way to Australia in 1901 and Libby who returns home to Lighthouse Bay in Queensland after the death of her married lover. Both lives are changed by events that happen to them and it shows the way they pick up and carry on. I liked the way the action alternated between the two women and their stories and I found this an interesting read, even though I didn’t particularly like Libby. I found Isabella easier to relate to and empathise with. Matthew, the lighthouse keeper, is just a lovely character. For me Libby who had been estranged from her sister for twenty years was harder to relate to, but I still wanted to read her story. I liked the way the author drew the strands of the stories together. I haven’t read any of Kimberley Freeman’s books before but will probably seek out another one at some time.A good read.

[Carol Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this a book I kept hurrying back to so I could see what was going to happen, and also so I wouldn't lose track of all the threads. It was a complex and engaging story, set in two time frames. I thought the interweaving of the two stories was very well done. I found myself drawn into both Libby and Isabella's stories. Though there were similarities in their characters, they were excellently differentiated by their historical time frame. I found both women engaging, flawed enough to be real, and endearing enough to have me longing for a resolution to their search for peace of mind, happiness, and love, and their freedom from the men in their lives who had used and abused them. The story raises issues of morality, and the consequences that flow from choices and behaviours. I did think it ended a little too abruptly, and that some of the lessons Libby and Isabella had to learn could have been explored more thoroughly, but these were there for the reader to reflect on.

[Sedaca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aynı anda hem geçmiş hem günümüzün anlatıldığı kitapları Böğürtlen Kışı'ndan sonra sevmeye başladım :)
Farklı karakterler, aynı mekan, farklı sıkıntılar, farklı zamanlar ve sonunda birbirlerine değinen hayatlar..
Isabella ve eşi Arthur çok değerli bir hediyeyi Avusturya'ya götürmek üzere deniz seferine çıkarlar. Isabella 3 yıl önce bebeğini kaybetmiş ama onu halen kendi içinde yaşatan bir annedir. Libby ise 12 yıllık evli sevgilisi Mark'ın öldüğü için onun yasını tutan 40'lı yaşlarda hoş bir bayandır. Isabella ve Libby deniz feneri koyunda farklı zamanlarda yaşamış, zor bir hayat geçiren iki bayan.
Akıcı ve güzel bir hikayesi var. 488 sayfa gözümüzü hiç korkutmasın. Bu tarz kalın kitaplara başlarken içimde hep bir zamanımı boşa harcama korkusu oluyor. Çok şükür bu kitapta pişman olmadım. Fırsatını bulursanız okuyun

[Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kimberley Freeman quickly became a favorite author of mine when I read another of her books, Wildflower Hill (epic must-read!). Beautiful settings and beautifully told in Freeman's style, this is a great book in its own right.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe it was the mood I was in, but I did not care for any of the characters or the plot. I think the author writes well, so I muddled through and gave it two stars, but it is a book I won't remember.

[Aisling · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read; a little history, a little romance, a generation spanning mystery and characters you really care about. I'm getting everything I can find by this author!

[Özlem Yazıcı · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this novel... Its amazing