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The Lightkeeper's Wife
Alone on the tip of the cape, Hannah Snow is on the verge of her most heroic rescue yet.
On 19th century Cape Cod, Hannah Snow shouldn't even be in the water. Her husband, John, would be furious--it's his job to tend to Dangerfield Light. It's certainly not women's work, and his quick trips out of town don't give her permission to rush toward the tattered ships. But she does, and though she can't save everyone, William "Billy" Pike, is someone she can. He's recuperating in her care when John's horse is found abandoned. Hannah invites Billy to stay as a hired hand--but soon discovers that he is not at all whom she thought he was. When everything holding her together falls apart, can Hannah learn how to save herself?
On 19th century Cape Cod, Hannah Snow shouldn't even be in the water. Her husband, John, would be furious--it's his job to tend to Dangerfield Light. It's certainly not women's work, and his quick trips out of town don't give her permission to rush toward the tattered ships. But she does, and though she can't save everyone, William "Billy" Pike, is someone she can. He's recuperating in her care when John's horse is found abandoned. Hannah invites Billy to stay as a hired hand--but soon discovers that he is not at all whom she thought he was. When everything holding her together falls apart, can Hannah learn how to save herself?
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
34 people are currently reading
1174 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Anne Johnson
7 books32 followersSarah is the author of The Lightkeeper's Wife, The Very Telling, The Art of the Author Interview, and Conversations with American Women Writers. Her interviews appear in The Writer's Chronicle, Glimmertrain Stories, Provincetown Arts, and The Writer where she is a contributing editor. Her fiction has appeared in Other Voices, and she is the recipient of residencies in fiction from Jentel Artists' Residency Program and Vermont Studio Center. She has taught the Art of the Author Interview Workshop at Bennington College Writing Seminars MFA Program, Leseley University MFA Program, and at literary conferences.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
January 5, 2017
I couldn't get past chapter 2 because of the inaccuracies for the time period. It says in the first chapter that this is supposed to be set in 1843 but the characters dialogue does not reflect this. She said the lighthouse had a kitchen sink in it, which wasn't invented until the 1860's, and that's in Europe, not even when it eventually made its way to the US, let alone into a building like a provincial lighthouse. She supposedly received a penny for each lobster she caught when she was a little girl - A. That would have been a small fortune, and B. the penny wasn't even legal tender until 1864! Then, the fact that the male neighbor just leaves her with a strange man in her house even though her husband isn't home would have been out of the question at the time. I cannot continue reading this story because I can only assume that these little tidbits of inaccuracies sprinkles about will just continue throughout the book and consequently continue to annoy me. It probably is a great story if you can look past the small details but I'm just not that kind of reader/writer.
August 18, 2014
Reading the blurb on this and viewing the cover, you wouldn't think for a moment that it's a story about women's roles in society, about pirates, about lesbian love. Thus, this is one full of surprises.
First of all, it's not explicit. Second, there's a lot to like about this book. Let me think of where to start...
1. I love the many women in this story who battle with what society expects of them and what their heart tells them to do. Hannah is called to the sea and driven to rescue sailors in need. However, her husband believes in merely maintaining the lighthouse lights and waiting until the storm is over and it's too late to save anyone. He doesn't let her out there. There's two lady pirates at some point, fighting alongside men, trying to survive a harsh world. There's even a woman who works in ship building.
2. Turns out (I read the Author Notes) that Hannah was inspired by a woman named Grace Darling, a lightkeeper's daughter in the UK who became famous for rowing into a storm to rescue a drowning sailor. The author also says, "While the male lightkeepers were known for staying ashore to watch the lights, the women became known for rowing into the sea to rescue drowning sailors."
I also recognized that the lady pirates were based on/inspired by Anne Bonney and Mary Reid.
3. I loved Hannah's passion for saving people and the way her and Billy work diligently on a special device to do this very thing.
Long story short, it's a tale of women battling their gender roles in the 1840s or thereabouts (pre Civil War), of widowhood, of conflicting emotions, of trying to make up for a poor decisions in the past.
I enjoyed it, especially the tales of piracy, though I had a very hard time liking Annie and understanding her. Her actions seemed strange to me, too abrupt and not quite explained--her sudden hatred of her husband, her coldness, her hate, interest in the ship... I'd have liked the story to get more in depth and explain more clearly somehow why she's so mean after the loss of a baby. Thousands of women lose their babies every day. It was even worse back then. I don't see it being the husband's fault. I thought her manner of retaliation was extreme.
On the other hand, the story did a very good job with Hannah's conflicting emotions. Should she grieve more, harder? Marry again? How does she really feel about Tom, and Billy?
This story inspired me to look up a real-life heroine mentioned in the Author's Notes. Find out more on my blog: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2014/...#
First of all, it's not explicit. Second, there's a lot to like about this book. Let me think of where to start...
1. I love the many women in this story who battle with what society expects of them and what their heart tells them to do. Hannah is called to the sea and driven to rescue sailors in need. However, her husband believes in merely maintaining the lighthouse lights and waiting until the storm is over and it's too late to save anyone. He doesn't let her out there. There's two lady pirates at some point, fighting alongside men, trying to survive a harsh world. There's even a woman who works in ship building.
2. Turns out (I read the Author Notes) that Hannah was inspired by a woman named Grace Darling, a lightkeeper's daughter in the UK who became famous for rowing into a storm to rescue a drowning sailor. The author also says, "While the male lightkeepers were known for staying ashore to watch the lights, the women became known for rowing into the sea to rescue drowning sailors."
I also recognized that the lady pirates were based on/inspired by Anne Bonney and Mary Reid.
3. I loved Hannah's passion for saving people and the way her and Billy work diligently on a special device to do this very thing.
Long story short, it's a tale of women battling their gender roles in the 1840s or thereabouts (pre Civil War), of widowhood, of conflicting emotions, of trying to make up for a poor decisions in the past.
I enjoyed it, especially the tales of piracy, though I had a very hard time liking Annie and understanding her. Her actions seemed strange to me, too abrupt and not quite explained--her sudden hatred of her husband, her coldness, her hate, interest in the ship... I'd have liked the story to get more in depth and explain more clearly somehow why she's so mean after the loss of a baby. Thousands of women lose their babies every day. It was even worse back then. I don't see it being the husband's fault. I thought her manner of retaliation was extreme.
On the other hand, the story did a very good job with Hannah's conflicting emotions. Should she grieve more, harder? Marry again? How does she really feel about Tom, and Billy?
This story inspired me to look up a real-life heroine mentioned in the Author's Notes. Find out more on my blog: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2014/...#
July 31, 2020
My thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.
I want to start off by saying that I think I am in a reading slump, as the last five or so books that I have read have all underwhelmed me, so the following is just my opinion, that is currently founded in a reading slump.
This book bored me. While at work, with the option to read this book during lunch or just sit and stare at the wall or skip lunch and read my work email, I did not reach for this book or I would open it, glance at it briefly, then put it down and go back to work.
DNF at 23%. If you enjoy reading historical fiction that takes place in the Cape Cod area and enjoy maritime and lighthouses as background, you will possibly enjoy this more than I did. I don't dislike those things, but it wasn't enough to drag me out of my book slump.
2, it's probably more me than the book, stars.
I want to start off by saying that I think I am in a reading slump, as the last five or so books that I have read have all underwhelmed me, so the following is just my opinion, that is currently founded in a reading slump.
This book bored me. While at work, with the option to read this book during lunch or just sit and stare at the wall or skip lunch and read my work email, I did not reach for this book or I would open it, glance at it briefly, then put it down and go back to work.
DNF at 23%. If you enjoy reading historical fiction that takes place in the Cape Cod area and enjoy maritime and lighthouses as background, you will possibly enjoy this more than I did. I don't dislike those things, but it wasn't enough to drag me out of my book slump.
2, it's probably more me than the book, stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2014
A seaman's life for me.
Hannah was worthy to be a seaman, and Annie/Blue turned into a seaman as well as a pirate.
Hannah and Annie knew nothing about each other, but they had things in common: both were headstrong for women of the 1800’s and they both loved the sea.
THE LIGHTKEEPER'S WIFE goes back and forth between Hannah's life and Annie/Blue's connecting both characters’ lives without their knowing.
THE LIGHTKEEPER'S WIFE is about enduring life and living a passion. You will feel Hannah's frustration as she tries to keep up the lighthouse after her husband has gone missing and only has Billy to help her.
The descriptions Ms. Johnson has of boat rescues and being at sea are amazing. Great detail in the telling of the story and the book's events keeps you reading.
I enjoyed THE LIGHTKEEPER'S WIFE. If you enjoy the 1800's and seafaring content, you will enjoy THE LIGHTKEEPER'S WIFE.
Gorgeous cover, fantastic writing, and great research, but my rating is going to be a 3/5 because of the disconnection with some parts of the book and for the length of time it took me to figure out what was going on and the length of time it took me to figure out who the characters were.
I received this book free of charge and without compensation from the publisher in return for an honest review.
October 12, 2019
Reading the cover of the book enticed me to purchase this book. Hannah works right alongside her husband in tending the lighthouse. She has spent time on the water since she was a girl helping her father tend the lobster traps, so tending the lights at the lighthouse is a natural fit. Hannah has a kind heart and wants to be able to save everyone involved in a ship wreck. The shoals near the Dangerfield light cause many a ship to capsize when a nor'easter hits the area.
Hannah's husband John rides out for supplies but when his horse is found without him Hannah is at a lost. She is worried and yet she needs to tend the light in his absence. A storm blows up and although Hannah. Knows the John would never want her to go out in the rescue boat during the storm, she does. She sees a sailor. Who has fallen from the sinking ship and she wants to rescue him and his shipmates. Neighbor, Tom is not happy that she has allowed this man to rest and recuperate at the lighthouse since her husband has still not returned home. Once, Billy has healed, however, Hannah quickly realizes that he is invaluable to her with all the chores that he does. As the story unfolds, however, it becomes clear that Billy is not the person Hannah thought he was and their two worlds collide.
Johnson's description of a storm and the rescue of the sailors from the ship wreck is so exciting the pages begin to turn faster and faster! Johnson has proven herself a master in creating suspense! On the whole I found the storyline to be average and the addition of a current day topic to make it relevant to readers today was an unnecessary addition.
Hannah's husband John rides out for supplies but when his horse is found without him Hannah is at a lost. She is worried and yet she needs to tend the light in his absence. A storm blows up and although Hannah. Knows the John would never want her to go out in the rescue boat during the storm, she does. She sees a sailor. Who has fallen from the sinking ship and she wants to rescue him and his shipmates. Neighbor, Tom is not happy that she has allowed this man to rest and recuperate at the lighthouse since her husband has still not returned home. Once, Billy has healed, however, Hannah quickly realizes that he is invaluable to her with all the chores that he does. As the story unfolds, however, it becomes clear that Billy is not the person Hannah thought he was and their two worlds collide.
Johnson's description of a storm and the rescue of the sailors from the ship wreck is so exciting the pages begin to turn faster and faster! Johnson has proven herself a master in creating suspense! On the whole I found the storyline to be average and the addition of a current day topic to make it relevant to readers today was an unnecessary addition.
September 14, 2014
3.5 stars. In "The Lightkeeper's Wife," Hannah has only been married to John for a couple years. Their marriage is fairly comfortable but Hannah finds herself wanting to be able to do more to help run the lighthouse where they live. However, it is the 19th century and during that time, that is really a man's job so her husband is not happy to have her help at all, which means that it is very boring for Hannah. One night, Hannah helps rescue a man who is very lost himself and her life will never be the same after that. Her husband abandons her and she is left with Billy, the man she saves.
This is a very quiet book that looks out one woman's resilience in the face of adversity. Hannah is left alone to fend for herself and as we see in the book, she tries to do a good job and in some ways succeeds and in some ways does not succeed. I really found her character to be interesting because she is so brave and unafraid no matter what happens to her on the small island.
This book is so much more then its synopsis; it's not only the story of a marriage, but it is the story of a woman having to deal with dangerous elements with nature and man created. I like how the other was able to create a sense of drama surrounding the people who visit the island. I really thought that was done well. Overall, I really enjoyed this book.
This is a very quiet book that looks out one woman's resilience in the face of adversity. Hannah is left alone to fend for herself and as we see in the book, she tries to do a good job and in some ways succeeds and in some ways does not succeed. I really found her character to be interesting because she is so brave and unafraid no matter what happens to her on the small island.
This book is so much more then its synopsis; it's not only the story of a marriage, but it is the story of a woman having to deal with dangerous elements with nature and man created. I like how the other was able to create a sense of drama surrounding the people who visit the island. I really thought that was done well. Overall, I really enjoyed this book.
January 11, 2016
My first instinct was to give this book only one star, but in all honesty, I did enjoy the images projected of life as a lighthouse keeper and even that of life on the high seas. Obviously, my opinion differs greatly from others who have read this book.
Hannah was a strong woman who felt that being a woman should not bring limitations to what she was capable of achieving or doing. A father who raised her to feel at home in the water and to take pride in honest hard work, Hannah's mother felt she would be better served working in their on-land store and learning the ropes of being a lady rather than learning the ropes on a sailing ship. What a treasure was in store for her when she marries the lighthouse keeper and she is able to feel a part of the sea again.
Annie was in a marriage not of her liking. Her husband is a ship's captain and life aboard a ship with her as the only female is lonely. Pregnant and afraid of having to give birth on board her husband's whaling vessel, he sets her ashore with a promise to return for her after she has given birth and ready to sail again. Heartbroken and feeling abandoned, she finds comfort in the females to whom her husband has entrusted her care to. The birth of her daughter brings limited joy as the baby soon succumbs to ailments stemming from premature birth. Annie is determined to change outcome of her life, no matter the cost.
So for this reader, at least the beginning of the story presented two strong women who were not afraid to face adversity, trials and tribulations and saw no boundaries for their accomplishments. In researching the original of names, I found that Hannah means "grace, or in God's favor". Ironically, Annie is actually another version or form of Hannah. So I immediately begin to see a connection between their characters. And that is about where my interest and favor with the book ended.
I like to think that I read books that give me pause to think. I think value is found in literary works when a reader is moved, emotionally uplifted or gains insight from a story or theme from a book. I felt the story had validity and strength on its own accord without having to bring in sexuality issues better left for other works. Unfortunately, I finished this book disappointed by the outcome and directions taken. Oh well - as a reader, you win some and you lose some.
Hannah was a strong woman who felt that being a woman should not bring limitations to what she was capable of achieving or doing. A father who raised her to feel at home in the water and to take pride in honest hard work, Hannah's mother felt she would be better served working in their on-land store and learning the ropes of being a lady rather than learning the ropes on a sailing ship. What a treasure was in store for her when she marries the lighthouse keeper and she is able to feel a part of the sea again.
Annie was in a marriage not of her liking. Her husband is a ship's captain and life aboard a ship with her as the only female is lonely. Pregnant and afraid of having to give birth on board her husband's whaling vessel, he sets her ashore with a promise to return for her after she has given birth and ready to sail again. Heartbroken and feeling abandoned, she finds comfort in the females to whom her husband has entrusted her care to. The birth of her daughter brings limited joy as the baby soon succumbs to ailments stemming from premature birth. Annie is determined to change outcome of her life, no matter the cost.
So for this reader, at least the beginning of the story presented two strong women who were not afraid to face adversity, trials and tribulations and saw no boundaries for their accomplishments. In researching the original of names, I found that Hannah means "grace, or in God's favor". Ironically, Annie is actually another version or form of Hannah. So I immediately begin to see a connection between their characters. And that is about where my interest and favor with the book ended.
I like to think that I read books that give me pause to think. I think value is found in literary works when a reader is moved, emotionally uplifted or gains insight from a story or theme from a book. I felt the story had validity and strength on its own accord without having to bring in sexuality issues better left for other works. Unfortunately, I finished this book disappointed by the outcome and directions taken. Oh well - as a reader, you win some and you lose some.
December 2, 2014
The Lightkeeper's Wife showcased two remarkable women trying to take control their lives in a world dominated by men. These are just the type of characters I love to read about, but I couldn't have predicted how powerful their stories would be. Hannah, the lightkeeper's wife, was a determined and brave young woman who worked the lighthouse with her husband even though her parents and society didn't approve. Alice was another woman set on breaking free of female stereotypes when she convinced the sailors aboard her husband's ship to teach her to sail. The feisty spirits of these women made this book entertaining. The whimsical writing conjured the nautical elements very well: the cold sea spray, the salty air, the coarse grains of sand, and the ominous cloudy sky. Aside from just being descriptive, Sarah Anne Johnson wrote with an intensity that allowed her characters' passions and fears to come to life.
When her husband ventured to town for supplies, Hannah fearlessly manned the lighthouse alone. After a shipwreck occurred near the lighthouse, she rescued Billy and brought him into her home to recover. I was surprised when Alice's narration became a pirate tale and she transformed from a prim wife to the vengeful pirate Blue. The plot events showcased each woman's determination and vulnerabilities, which allowed them to evolve through the book. Since there was no time period referenced to differentiate the alternating stories, I waited anxiously to see how they would connect. The sentence that gave away the twisted plot came so unexpectedly that I read it three times. Maybe I'm the only person who didn't see the surprise coming, but I purposely allow stories to sweep me away rather than trying to figure out the ending. Johnson examined a variety of themes such as society's views on life, love, and purpose, and still managed to tie them neatly together in a story where the pace never slowed.
This was a beautiful story I am so glad I read.
When her husband ventured to town for supplies, Hannah fearlessly manned the lighthouse alone. After a shipwreck occurred near the lighthouse, she rescued Billy and brought him into her home to recover. I was surprised when Alice's narration became a pirate tale and she transformed from a prim wife to the vengeful pirate Blue. The plot events showcased each woman's determination and vulnerabilities, which allowed them to evolve through the book. Since there was no time period referenced to differentiate the alternating stories, I waited anxiously to see how they would connect. The sentence that gave away the twisted plot came so unexpectedly that I read it three times. Maybe I'm the only person who didn't see the surprise coming, but I purposely allow stories to sweep me away rather than trying to figure out the ending. Johnson examined a variety of themes such as society's views on life, love, and purpose, and still managed to tie them neatly together in a story where the pace never slowed.
This was a beautiful story I am so glad I read.
September 10, 2014
It's the 1800s in New England, and Hannah's husband fails to return to the lighthouse one night. There's where I thought Hannah began her journey of self-discovery, and navigating her way as a strong woman in patriarchal culture.
But I was wrong. Hannah began that journey when she married John, when she decided to run out in storms and help sea-drenched sailors keep from drowning when their ships went down, and when she disavowed her feelings for Tom.
Hannah had little fear, and demonstrated chin-up bravery even when she was afraid of something. The Lightkeeper's Wife is about Hannah plowing through life on her own terms, wending her way with a man beside her, without a man beside her, and most importantly with her own balance of masculinity and femininity.
Besides Hannah's story, the novel explores pirate life. We see men and women fighting, stealing, killing... for freedom and gold. The women pretend to be men for their own safety on and off the ship. And some women remain masculine in dress and manner, because masculine affectation has become part of their soul.
The climax of the novel is when Hannah's life and a pirate's life intersect. The characters live as authentically as they can in a narrow-minded society. Families and friends and lovers all just live the best way they know how, without selling their soul completely.
I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
But I was wrong. Hannah began that journey when she married John, when she decided to run out in storms and help sea-drenched sailors keep from drowning when their ships went down, and when she disavowed her feelings for Tom.
Hannah had little fear, and demonstrated chin-up bravery even when she was afraid of something. The Lightkeeper's Wife is about Hannah plowing through life on her own terms, wending her way with a man beside her, without a man beside her, and most importantly with her own balance of masculinity and femininity.
Besides Hannah's story, the novel explores pirate life. We see men and women fighting, stealing, killing... for freedom and gold. The women pretend to be men for their own safety on and off the ship. And some women remain masculine in dress and manner, because masculine affectation has become part of their soul.
The climax of the novel is when Hannah's life and a pirate's life intersect. The characters live as authentically as they can in a narrow-minded society. Families and friends and lovers all just live the best way they know how, without selling their soul completely.
I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 27, 2015
This was a very good read. I was first intrigued by it because of "Lightkeeper" in the title because of my love of lighthouses. What I found was a very intense story about the trials and tribulations of maintaining a lighthouse in the northeast in the 1800's. In addition, it spoke to the role of women during this time. Ms Johnson starts two stories that I could figure out how they were going to tie together. But when the outcome was revealed I was totally surprised and then saw the foreshadowing. Put this one on your "to read" list and be ready to be keep your eyes open to the possibilities.
January 6, 2018
Some good twists but not really all that well written. The best part of the book was the setting, I felt like I was at the lighthouse and in the water with Hannah. The characters were ok, Billy being a little over the top at times. It is definitely a book about gender and discovering sexuality. By reading the back of the book one would not get that. I felt like that was an added as an afterthought even though the author wanted it as a theme of the book.
April 30, 2024
Yeah okay there’s probably a lot of historical inaccuracies, and there’s no town of Dangerfield really on the Cape. But I’m a local to the Cape and absolutely devoured this book in two days. It’s about the LONGING okay??? And it was so poetically done here and the twists and heartache and all the while the undertone of responsibility and strength is just *chef’s kiss.* I loved this book and the storytelling.
March 30, 2020
Dramatic
Hannah is a strong woman in her desire to carry on her late husband's work. Billy is a survivor of of a shipwreck who Hannah saved from the sea. Billy helps Hannah around the lighthouse with developing better systems to rescue sailor from shipwrecks. A development with Billy changes their lives forever.
Hannah is a strong woman in her desire to carry on her late husband's work. Billy is a survivor of of a shipwreck who Hannah saved from the sea. Billy helps Hannah around the lighthouse with developing better systems to rescue sailor from shipwrecks. A development with Billy changes their lives forever.
December 29, 2021
Reading this at an emotionally fraught time of year in an especially emotionally fraught year, what struck me most is how much the human body and brain can bear. How resilient we can be, and how meaningful work can carry us through our worst days. Also how life forces each of us to keep reinventing ourselves. These larger truths are what will stay with me.
December 24, 2024
I really enjoyed this book; however, I feel that the reader is initially tricked as there is no mention of Annie’s story in the book synopsis. Annie’s story is half of this book and, deserves to be addressed. I almost feel as if the author wanted to hide the gender identity and lesbianism theme. Seems very disingenuous.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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June 25, 2020Although I mainly enjoyed reading this book, I did find parts of it rather long winded and somewhat repetitive in parts. There were places where I thought, 'you have already told me that. I don't need it retold again, in a slightly different format.'
October 17, 2017
I just found the book so unrealistic and so many things were left unanswered that I didn't enjoy it much. I did like the historical setting but not the main characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 13, 2019
Predictable.
June 25, 2019
I truly enjoyed the dual stories, it was a good read with companionship, action, drama and care.
August 15, 2019
I had to make myself finish....
February 14, 2020
Amazing
Wow! A mixture of characters and stories that all mix together to make the story. It's different from what I normally read but was interesting.
Wow! A mixture of characters and stories that all mix together to make the story. It's different from what I normally read but was interesting.
November 18, 2021
okay story but not what I thought it would be
May 26, 2024
Meh. The story felt forced to me.
August 8, 2024
I’m a bit surprised by the low reviews. I read this years ago and still think about it all the time. Hence, the coming to rate and review it now because I thought of it randomly today.
March 12, 2025
Just okay.
May 3, 2025
Did not finish.
October 5, 2023
Hannah's grief at losing her husband, the lighthouse keeper, is kept at bay by her continuing the lighthouse duties, and taking care of Billy, the "man" she has rescued from a shipwreck. As Billy begins to heal, his life story emerges.
Then we meet Annie - first as a young woman married to a ship captain; she travels with him on his sea voyages. Eventually she becomes pregnant aboard the ship, and as the time to have her baby approaches, her husband leaves her to the women in Jamaica who can help with the delivery. She loses her newborn daughter and begins to resent her husband for abandoning her and not being there during her grief. She rejoins her husband on his return to pick her up. Needing something to do, she wants to learn everything she can about sailing. Her husband refuses to teach her, so she enlists other sailors to secretly teach her.
When their ship is invaded by pirates, her husband dies and she is taken captive. In order to survive, she becomes Blue, a woman who can work as hard and drink as much as a man. As they are pirating other ships, Blue steals gold pieces before handing over the case to the captain. She knows if she is found out, he will kill her. By this time, she's done with pirating and only wants off the ship. She bides her time until they are back in Jamaica; she sees her chance and this time, she leaves as "Billy," a man who can do anything any other man can do.
Two-thirds to three-fourths the way through, the lesbian theme emerges. This is not a book that I would normally read; and I realized that from now on, I need to research a book a bit better before reading. Thus the "1" rating.
It was well written, I'll give it that, but the subject matter was not my cup of tea. I only finished it because I hoped that Hannah would fall in love with Tom. The author had other ideas.
Then we meet Annie - first as a young woman married to a ship captain; she travels with him on his sea voyages. Eventually she becomes pregnant aboard the ship, and as the time to have her baby approaches, her husband leaves her to the women in Jamaica who can help with the delivery. She loses her newborn daughter and begins to resent her husband for abandoning her and not being there during her grief. She rejoins her husband on his return to pick her up. Needing something to do, she wants to learn everything she can about sailing. Her husband refuses to teach her, so she enlists other sailors to secretly teach her.
When their ship is invaded by pirates, her husband dies and she is taken captive. In order to survive, she becomes Blue, a woman who can work as hard and drink as much as a man. As they are pirating other ships, Blue steals gold pieces before handing over the case to the captain. She knows if she is found out, he will kill her. By this time, she's done with pirating and only wants off the ship. She bides her time until they are back in Jamaica; she sees her chance and this time, she leaves as "Billy," a man who can do anything any other man can do.
Two-thirds to three-fourths the way through, the lesbian theme emerges. This is not a book that I would normally read; and I realized that from now on, I need to research a book a bit better before reading. Thus the "1" rating.
It was well written, I'll give it that, but the subject matter was not my cup of tea. I only finished it because I hoped that Hannah would fall in love with Tom. The author had other ideas.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2014
3.5 stars.
The Lightkeeper's Wife by Sarah Anne Johnson is an intriguing historical novel that offers an illuminating perspective into women's roles in the mid 1800s. Close attention to details provides the story with historical accuracy but it is the unusual but realistic storyline that makes it such an interesting read.
Hannah Snow's husband John inexplicably vanishes during a routine trip for supplies leaving her to maintain the lighthouse and save the survivors from the shipwrecks. One of her first rescues is William "Billy" Pike and the two grow close as Billy recovers from the injuries sustained during the shipwreck. As weeks turn into months with no word of John's whereabouts, Billy and Hannah keep the lighthouse beacon burning brightly, but it is their collaboration to streamline their rescue efforts that tightens the bond between them. But Billy is harboring some very dark secrets and when Hannah uncovers the truth about his identity, will she continue to offer him shelter?
Hannah is a very unusual woman for the time period and she is more than capable of pulling her weight around the lighthouse. While John is willing to indulge her up to a point, her need to rescue the shipwreck victims is often a point of contention between them. She is strong-willed, passionate and after John's disappearance, she never gives in to despair. In fact, she refuses to leave the lighthouse and continues with all of her duties along with John's. Hannah is confused by what she learns about Billy, and despite a few initial misgivings, the two continue working together to protect sailors from harm.
Billy is very enigmatic and at first, he gives up very little information about his past. His reminisces about Anne, a woman from his past, are rather confusing since there is little context for their relationship. However, the answers for many questions about Billy are revealed through these glimpses of his past and although it takes a while, everything eventually becomes clearer. Not 100% clear since some of the events occur abruptly with little explanation or warning and then the story quickly moves on.
By the time Billy arrives at the lighthouse, he is a much more sympathetic character, but it is difficult to forgive and in some cases, understand, some of his previous actions. He is instrumental in some much needed improvements for Hannah's rescues but do his good deeds in the present outweigh the somewhat horrible aspects from his past?
The Lightkeeper's Wife is a well-written but rather slow-paced novel. The mystery surrounding Billy drives much of the plot, but after the truth is revealed, the remainder of the story becomes a little repetitious. Sarah Anne Johnson raises some very interesting points about women's roles during the time period and it is fascinating watching Hannah maintain her position at the lighthouse despite some rather strenuous opposition. Hannah's decisions about her future are also quite interesting and the relationship between her and Billy is very unexpected. A stunning plot twist adds to the novel's uniqueness and answers some, but not all, of Hannah's questions about Billy. All in all, it is a nice read that fans of historical novels will enjoy.
The Lightkeeper's Wife by Sarah Anne Johnson is an intriguing historical novel that offers an illuminating perspective into women's roles in the mid 1800s. Close attention to details provides the story with historical accuracy but it is the unusual but realistic storyline that makes it such an interesting read.
Hannah Snow's husband John inexplicably vanishes during a routine trip for supplies leaving her to maintain the lighthouse and save the survivors from the shipwrecks. One of her first rescues is William "Billy" Pike and the two grow close as Billy recovers from the injuries sustained during the shipwreck. As weeks turn into months with no word of John's whereabouts, Billy and Hannah keep the lighthouse beacon burning brightly, but it is their collaboration to streamline their rescue efforts that tightens the bond between them. But Billy is harboring some very dark secrets and when Hannah uncovers the truth about his identity, will she continue to offer him shelter?
Hannah is a very unusual woman for the time period and she is more than capable of pulling her weight around the lighthouse. While John is willing to indulge her up to a point, her need to rescue the shipwreck victims is often a point of contention between them. She is strong-willed, passionate and after John's disappearance, she never gives in to despair. In fact, she refuses to leave the lighthouse and continues with all of her duties along with John's. Hannah is confused by what she learns about Billy, and despite a few initial misgivings, the two continue working together to protect sailors from harm.
Billy is very enigmatic and at first, he gives up very little information about his past. His reminisces about Anne, a woman from his past, are rather confusing since there is little context for their relationship. However, the answers for many questions about Billy are revealed through these glimpses of his past and although it takes a while, everything eventually becomes clearer. Not 100% clear since some of the events occur abruptly with little explanation or warning and then the story quickly moves on.
By the time Billy arrives at the lighthouse, he is a much more sympathetic character, but it is difficult to forgive and in some cases, understand, some of his previous actions. He is instrumental in some much needed improvements for Hannah's rescues but do his good deeds in the present outweigh the somewhat horrible aspects from his past?
The Lightkeeper's Wife is a well-written but rather slow-paced novel. The mystery surrounding Billy drives much of the plot, but after the truth is revealed, the remainder of the story becomes a little repetitious. Sarah Anne Johnson raises some very interesting points about women's roles during the time period and it is fascinating watching Hannah maintain her position at the lighthouse despite some rather strenuous opposition. Hannah's decisions about her future are also quite interesting and the relationship between her and Billy is very unexpected. A stunning plot twist adds to the novel's uniqueness and answers some, but not all, of Hannah's questions about Billy. All in all, it is a nice read that fans of historical novels will enjoy.
March 2, 2017
This book started out how I judged it from it's cover, but then it quickly changes pace talking about female pirates, which I thought was very interesting. Women who had to dress as men to be safely at sea as independent spirits rather than bound by society's rules.
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