De dochter van de vuurtorenwachter

by Hazel Gaynor, Irene Paridaans (translator)

1838, Longstone Island, Engeland. Grace Darlings leven verandert volledig wanneer zij en haar vader tijdens een storm negen overlevenden van een schipbreuk redden. Deze heldendaad heeft grote gevolgen, en het is niet alleen Grace’ leven dat nooit meer hetzelfde zal zijn.

1938, Rhode Island, Amerika. De negentienjarige Matilda Emmerson is ongehuwd zwanger en naar een ver familielid gestuurd, om in het geheim haar kindje te krijgen. Hier komt Matilda erachter dat haar leven en dat van Grace Darling sterk met elkaar verweven zijn. Kan Grace’ heldendaad Matilda inspireren als een dodelijke orkaan de oostkust van Amerika teistert?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Book Club, Audiobook, Romance, Adult

345 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 9, 2018

About the author

Hazel Gaynor is an award-winning New York Times and internationally bestselling author of historical novels which explore the defining events of the 20th century. A recipient of the 2015 RNA Historical Novel award and the 2024 Audie award for Best Fiction Narrator, she was also shortlisted for the 2019 HWA Gold Crown, and the Irish Book Awards in 2017, 2020 and 2023.

Hazel’s co-written historical novels with Heather Webb have all been published to critical acclaim, winning or being shortlisted for several international awards.

She is a regular speaker at literary festivals, co-founder of The Inspiration Project, and programmed and hosted a series of Historia Live events in association with Dublin UNESCO City of Literature in 2024. Her work is translated into 20 languages and published in twenty-seven territories to date. Her latest novel, Before Dorothy, the imagine life story of Dorothy’s Aunt Em from The Wizard of Oz, will be published in June 2025.

Hazel lives in Ireland with her family.

For more information, visit www.hazelgaynor.com
where you can also sign up for her newsletter.

Reviews

[Lindsay L · Rating 5 out of 5]

5+ stars!

Excuse me, while I dust off my Favourites shelf to make room for this beautiful, spellbinding, unforgettable novel that has secured a forever spot in my heart. Not only does this mesmerizing book belong on my Favourites shelf, it easily takes top spot as my favourite read of 2018! I simply cannot imagine anything surpassing the love I have for this story.

I have such a soft spot for books involving lighthouses. There is something about them that I am drawn to – they have such a secretive, magical, historic feel that intrigues me. This breathtaking novel, which strongly focuses on life as a lighthouse keeper, follows two interwoven timelines one hundred years apart – 1838 in Northumberland, England and 1938 in Newport, Rhode Island. Each timeline was equally intriguing for me – I was completely engrossed by every single word of this beautifully written multigenerational story. My mind and heart were fully captivated from the very first sentence.

The start of this tale introduces us to twenty-two year old, Grace Darling, whose entire life has been lived simply on Farne Islands as a lighthouse keeper’s daughter. One day, during a horrific storm, Grace and her father bravely battle the sea in a row boat to rescue the survivors of a nearby shipwreck. Grace’s courage and bravery during the storm is unexpectedly publicly celebrated and honoured, making Grace a famous hero. The unanticipated praise and attention is hard for Grace to accept and handle.

The lighthouses in this story are characters of their own. The author, Hazel Gaynor, creates an atmosphere so vivid and gripping that I truly felt myself as a part of this compelling and unforgettable scenery and cast of characters. The isolated islands, the damp and windy weather, the sparse beaches where washed up treasures were found and cherished, simple and quaint Cherry cottage. As I was reading, I could hear the echoes of the footsteps on the winding staircase as Grace climbed the lighthouse steps to proudly handle her daily duties.

Upon finishing this amazing novel, I googled the name Grace Darling to find out this book is based on a true story. Wow - I had no idea! This knowledge enhanced my love for this novel as I absolutely love historical fiction for that reason – I love learning about a time in our history that I knew little or nothing about.

This book is written so beautifully that there will be no choice other than to make its way into your heart. I warn you to have plenty of Kleenex ready, as this is an emotional journey that had me sobbing uncontrollably a few times. I just love a good book cry! As my lovely GR Traveling Sister Norma brilliantly stated, as sad as this story is, it is filled with so much warmth and love. Heart-wrenching and heartwarming!

This was a Traveling Sister read that we all adored. To find this review, along with the other Traveling Sister reviews, please visit our blog at:

https://twosisterslostinacoulee.com/2...

A HUGE thank you to Edelweiss, HarperCollins Publishers Ltd. and Hazel Gaynor for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter is AVAILABLE NOW! It is an absolute MUST READ!

[Angela M · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

“My sister Thomasin used to say she imagined the stairwell was a long vein running from the heart of the lighthouse. In one way or another, we have all attached human qualities to these old stone walls so that it has become another member of the family, not just a building to house us .”

When a novel is based on the life of a real person, it’s many times a dilemma for me on how to rate it because I inevitably try to find out more about the person when I’m reading the book and then I’m disappointed if the fictional character’s story is more imagined than true, although I shouldn’t be. It is fiction. So I decided I would read and rate this book before trying to find out more about the real Grace Darling. It looks like the author kept to some specific details of Grace Darling’s life. She’s the daughter of the keeper of Longstone Lighthouse in Northumberland, England. She is a dedicated assistant to her father and in 1838, during a horrific storm, they rescue survivors of a shipwreck. It is this act that brings her unwanted fame and attention. Among the survivors is Sarah Dawson who happens to be the sister of George Emmerson, an artist who Grace has met and is drawn to. There is a second story line a century later in Rhode Island, where nineteen year old and pregnant Matilda has been sent from Ireland to live with a family friend, Harriet, also a lighthouse keeper until she gives birth.

There are so many novels with dual story lines in different times. I enjoy these if the connection feels real, and this was one of those stories. This is actually one of the few dual time line books where I enjoyed both timelines equally. I think it was because of the wonderful way Gaynor connects them - the relationships, the lighthouses, a locket, a painting and definitely the courage of all of the women. It was notable that in these alternating narratives of the characters that Grace’s, Matilda’s and Harriet’s were in the first person and the others in the third person. This made for much more intimate connections with the three women.

The writing is very good in places, especially the description of the storm. Considering that this wasn’t necessarily a short book, I read it fairly quickly because I was always interested in finding out more. A cliche, perhaps to say it was captivating, but I was totally taken by each of these strong women and how they managed to move forward in spite of things that weren’t always easy to face. In spite of a revelation towards the end that felt a bit much to me, this book is deserving of five stars because I enjoyed it every step of the way. I can’t say that I’ve ever had an affinity to the lighthouses I’ve seen, but I’ll probably think about them in a different light the next time I see one.

This was a Traveling Sisters read. I was a little late to the party but enjoyed everyone’s comments.

I received an advanced copy of this book from William Morrow/HarperCollins through Edelweiss.

[Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 huggable stars to The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

When you have a favorite author, you count the days until her next release. The day came for Hazel Gaynor and The Lightkeeper’s Daughter, and it lived up to my every expectation!

First of all, in case you didn’t know, I am obsessed with lighthouses. I grew up near one, my husband proposed to me there, and we later married near another. There is something both mystical and majestic about them, along with their steadfast beaming light signaling support to all those who need it.

Told in dual narratives, of which I loved both in equal measure (which is not always the case with dual narratives!), the first is set in Northumberland, England in 1838. The Longstone Lighthouse on the Farne Islands is tended by the Darling family, which is where we meet young Grace Darling. She witnesses a shipwreck in a horrific storm and convinces her father that they must help the survivors, which in turn puts their own lives in jeopardy.

Grace is strong and cares for the lighthouse better than any of her siblings, but when it comes down to who is next in line for the job, it will be her brother, and not her because she is female. Even though she is celebrated as a hero throughout England for her efforts in saving the shipwrecked survivors, no matter; she still cannot inherit the job at the light.

The second timeline is in 1938 Newport, Rhode Island at another lighthouse. Just 19-years-old, pregnant, and unwed, Matilda Emmerson is sent from Ireland to live with a distant relative in the United States. There are connections amongst these characters and across timelines that are unexpected and beautifully-executed.

Hazel Gaynor is a natural storyteller. Her books are emotional, charming, and heartwarming. Inspired by the true story of Grace Darling, in The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter, Gaynor has given us several formidable, memorable, and inspiring female characters who are the epitome of bravery and sacrifice that know no bounds. This book gets my highest recommendation. Don’t miss it!

Thank you to William Morrow Paperbacks for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own. The physical copy was purchased by me. This beauty had to go on the shelf next to my other Hazel Gaynor books! P.s. Update: I just now ordered the UK edition, too. 🤓

[Norma ~ The Sisters 🤒 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating, affecting & heart-wrenching!

This was my very first HAZEL GAYNOR book, and I must say that I absolutely loved her writing style. I was immediately drawn into this extraordinary story by her beautiful storytelling right from the very first page and had me totally immersed, entertained, and interested throughout this entire book.

THE LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER’S DAUGHTER by HAZEL GAYNOR is an absolutely stunning, sad, moving, heartwarming, and an excellent historical fiction novel that was inspired by the true story of Grace Darling, a lighthouse keeper’s daughter. A fascinating story!

Some parts of this book was extremely sad and heartbreaking for me to read as it takes you on quite the emotional journey and I couldn’t help but feel right along with all the characters heartache, loss, and tragedy. Even though there was so much sadness the book also had so much warmth and love emanating throughout that was so inspiring and empowering to read. Just how strong, resilient, and brave these women were was absolutely remarkable and it was an absolute pleasure reading and learning Grace Darling’s story.

HAZEL GAYNOR delivers a vividly descriptive, intriguing and beautifully written story here where she interweaves skillfully two different timelines, spanning over decades and centuries. Grace’s story in 1838 and Matilda Emmerson’s in 1938. Both of these women’s stories captured my heart and I found them both as equally compelling and not once did I feel like one was more interesting than the other.

I have a fascination for books with settings of lighthouses and it was one of those books for me where the author’s beautiful prose, moving storyline, and endearing characters made this an all-around fabulous read for me. I love it when an author can bring out so many emotions from me while I am reading and for me that is one incredibly satisfying reading experience!

Norma’s Stats:
Cover: Formidable, somber, breathtaking, wondrous, intriguing and an extremely fitting representation to storyline.
Title: Appealing, intriguing, interested and a simple but yet such a powerful representation to storyline.
Writing/Prose: Well-written, vivid, exquisite, engaging, captivating, and fluent.
Plot: Thought-provoking, powerful, passionate, emotional, engrossing, steady-paced, enjoyable and extremely entertaining.
Ending: A sorrowful ending that I was extremely satisfied with as it ended historically correct.
Overall: An enthralling and memorable read that had me totally engrossed, emotional, and interested from start to finish! Would highly recommend!

Thank you so much to HarperCollins Canada and Hazel Gaynor for providing me with an Advanced Reader’s E-Proof in exchange for a review!

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Two strong, able women, a century apart, and their lives as keepers of a lighthouse.

WHAT I LIKED

The settings, lighthouses are one of the things I seek out on my vacations. I love them and the role they have played throughout history.
Grace Darling was a real person, and as always that sets a different tone to the story, an authenticity if you will. She did live in a lighthouse on Farne Island and did help rescue nine people when the steamer, Fecfashire broke apart during a horrific storm. Her life would be changed due to the notoriety this brought into her life.
The atmosphere and the descriptions of the many natural items Grace collected. These were beautifully described.
That this book showcased strong women who, especially Grace in the late 18800s that women were not expected nor encouraged to do. They each forged their own paths, sdmirably if not always joyfully.
The writing, Gaynor does a good job with these historical novels.

WHAT I LIKED A BIT LESS

The dual timeline. Although the timelines are connected through the lighthouses and a looser surprise connection, this is far from my favorite way of presenting a story. I usually end up liking one more than the other.
The novel sometimes became lost in the details, some just went on too long, and the story bogged down.

As you can see there were many more likes than dislikes. This was a sisters read, and most absolutely loved it. I liked it very much but with a few reservations.

ARC from Edelweiss.

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

”I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.”
-- Louisa May Alcott


When I was a child, there was an older man, a former sea Captain who lived in a tiny cabin overlooking one of the lakes in our town. He got by on doing odd jobs in the neighborhood and on whatever else he might have received. I know my father had somewhat of a soft spot for him, where my mother disliked his rough, unmannered ways. Through him, I heard stories of life on the wild seas, and about lighthouses being a beacon to those at sea, and for him perhaps more like a parent welcoming a child home. Because of him and his love for lighthouses, I have always loved them, for many years more from afar, but later on I began to try and explore as many as I could.

So, for me this was another exploration into a new lighthouse, through the pages of a story that is based on a true story. The story of Grace Darling, a twenty-two year old young woman living in a lighthouse on the Farne Islands in 1838, her father the lighthouse keeper, and she, the lighthouse keeper’s daughter. A title that would imply she was only that, a daughter, but she assisted in the running of the lighthouse. In fact, she wants no other life than this.

”As Father is on first watch, I leave the comforting light of the lamps, and enter the dark interior of the staircase. My sister Thomasin used to say she imagined the stairwell was a long vein running from the heart of the lighthouse. In one way or another, we have all attached human qualities to these old stone walls so that it has almost become another member of the family, not just a building to house us…A storm always stirs a desire for everyone to be safe inside the lighthouse walls, but my sisters and brothers are dispersed along the coast now, like flotsam caught on the tide and carried to some other place.”

When a horrendous storm causes a the shipwreck of the Forfarshire, she convinces her father that they must come to the aid of those she can see shipwrecked on the rocks, and they rescue the nine survivors, risking their own lives in the process. When this news becomes public, it spreads further and soon people are flocking to see this brave young woman.

Among the survivors is a woman named Sarah Dawson, sister to artist George Emmerson, whom Grace has met. He becomes one of many artists desiring to capture her portrait; he is already captured by her.

There is an alternating story, in an another time, a hundred years hence, that centers around Mathilda, whose story begins with her leaving her home of Cobh, Ireland, and carrying a secret with her to Newport, Rhode Island. Her secret will become more obvious as the months pass, but her parents in Ireland will avoid the public shame she would cause them had she stayed. Not that it was by her choice, her mother has sent her to live with a family friend, Harriet, in yet another lighthouse.

Very poignant, life-affirming, occasionally heart wrenching, but also heartwarming historical-fiction, a novel reminding us of the best that is within us, and inspiring us with the stories of these young women who didn’t allow their fears to conquer them, but who rose to the occasion with the courage to face their future.



Many thanks, once again, to the Public Library system, and the many Librarians that manage, organize and keep it running, for the loan of this book!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
I enjoyed this book very much. This is the story of two main characters Grace and Matilda, a century apart, so there is a dual timeline.
Part of the story was based on the real story of Grace Darling, who with her family, lived in and ran the Longstone Lighthouse off the coast of Northumberland in 1838, where she and her father were involved in a rescue after a shipwreck. Grace Darling became a real hero.
Matilda is a young unwed woman in Ireland, in 1938, who finds herself with child and is sent by her family to Rhode Island to stay with a relative to wait out her term.. the relative is a lighthouse keeper there.
The two stories are woven together beautifully.

I love lighthouses, have always thought I’d like to live in one. We have many of them here in Michigan because of the Great Lakes and all the shipping done on them. So, I like to read anything having to do with them!

There was a quote used in a letter in this book that really got to me and it was by Charles Dickens, who I’ve never read..

“I wish you to know that you have been the last dream of my soul”

This one really got to me.

[Holly B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to most of this one on Audible and really enjoyed the book and the narrator. The story drew me in early and I adored the character of Grace. She was told that she would never find a husband if she hid away in her "tower" and that she shouldn't expect a "tide to deliver one." The whole lighthouse setting was intriguing.

The timeline alternates from the Longstone Lighthouse in 1838 to Ireland in 1938. A century apart the two stories will connect the family ties that link the characters and the strength the portrayed.

The first half was full of suspense as the SS Forfarshire is hit by a tumultuous storm and Grace shows courage as she helps her father with the "rescue" of the survivors. She becomes a bit of a celebrity in the area as the story spreads. Later there is a romance that develops between Grace and the brother of a survivor, but I didn't feel like it added much to the main story line of the women and their family history.

Overall, very enjoyable and beautifully written. I could have passed on the added romance. I have already bought a second novel by this author.

[Elyse Walters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Settings are either in Ireland.....
or America...
Back & Forward storytelling...
Between two centuries....
1938... and 1838

With 100 years between Grace and Matilda, ... in this historical fiction...they will link together.

I enjoyed this story - but felt the style in which this book was written… Jumping back-and-forth 100 years was a little jarring.... spoiling my enjoyment of ‘being-here-now’.

Harriet is the third female in this novel you’ll meet.

All three of these women are resilient in their own ways.

I liked this book - enjoyed the characters AND the story - yet it all felt a little thin to me.
What elevated my feelings - wasn’t this story per say, but rather learning that’s this novel was based on true events.
That ‘did’ add more emotional depth.

I liked it ... fast easy read. Truthfully... I’ve found it hard to be ecstatic about much since reading Michelle Obama’s book.

I did like “Florida” by Lauren Groff... but that was very different.
Growth for me was involved!

Good story ... my mood for it was so-so!

3.5 rating...
Rating Up - as I honestly did enjoy the characters and appreciate the author’s research.

[Dem · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

A lovely story that was inspired by true events. Charming and vivid this was an easy and entertaining read. A story about strong women that is beautifully imagined and written

I love books where a lighthouse or the Island become an extra character in a story and The Lighthouse Keeper's daughter is my first novel by Hazel Gaynor and I really enjoyed the read.
This is an historical fiction story where a mystery and a love story and a true event all marry to give the reader this page turner of a novel.

We are introduced to two stories, the first is based on fact, From 1838 Northumberland England where Lighthouse keeper’s daughter Grace Darling along with her father is involved in the rescue of shipwrecked passengers. The fictional 1938 story takes nineteen year old Matilda on a Journey from Cobh in cork Ireland on the TSS California across the Atlantic to New York to spend a few months with her reclusive relative at a lighthouse in Newport. Each story is told in very short alternating chapters and I think this makes easy reading and I didn’t have a problem keeping track of what was happening.

Interesting and engaging characters are the heart of this story and I think readers who enjoy books by Kate Morton or Diane Chamberlain might well enjoy this novel.

[Marialyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

To me, there is nothing like a well written, inspiring, historical fiction. It can and does move you into a realm where you are placed inside of a character, a place where for a time you live as they lived, a place where you feel a sense of kinship, of belonging, or coming together with what is good, courageous, and noble. This is what the book, The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter did for me.

A book that inspires one is a treasure and this book written so beautifully about a young woman named Grace Dahling, who said of her bravery the following “They call me a heroine, but I am not deserving of such accolades. I am just an ordinary young woman who did her duty.” Grace lived in and for the lighthouse in Northumberland, England. The Longstone Lighthouse was her family's home, her place of solitude, a place that was often tumultuous based on the waves and the weather and a place where Grace during a horrific storm ventured out with her beloved father to save who they could from a shipwrecked vessel. She, a girl of the Victorian times, became famous for her bravery, a fame she shunned for all she loved and wanted was her place at the lighthouse.

In 1938, a young woman, Matilda Emerson, newly pregnant and not married is sent away to America in shame, to live with a relative, Harriet, who maintains a lighthouse on Rhode Island. Matilda is expected to give up her baby and return home to Ireland but the discovery of a half finished portrait of Grace sets her upon a journey of discovery and self knowledge.

Weaving these two stories together, Ms Gaynor, created a story that gave voice not only to the women who kept these lighthouses but also to those who have over time exhibited courage, fortitude, and a belief in their innate abilities. It was a story of motherly love, of love of time and place, of love for one's place in the world. Beautiful language like the following..."I know that for all my shortcomings and imperfections, I have loved my children with the passion of a storm and that, in the end it is all that we can hope for. To have loved and been loved in return." As a mother, I couldn't agree more....

If you have not read this book, you need to especially if you are a mother, a caretaker, a believer in the strength of women, and a guide to those children entrusted to your care. I most heartedly recommend this book for its poignancy, its passion, and its respect for women who were heroes even if they never really thought they were.
Thanks go out to my local library for having a copy of this beautiful book.
My reviews can also be seen here: The tragedy of war leaves its remnants upon people long after the war has ceased. A World War II novel always bring into focus all the lives lost, the lands destroyed, and the people who were left behind. In the book News of Our Loved Ones, that tragedy is explored as we are introduced to the Delasalle family and the trauma they were exposed to while living in Normandy during the war.

The village in which the family resided was overtaken by the Nazis. They witness the terrors of the war, their Jewish neighbors being taken away, and their lives changing daily as they tried to adjust to the occupation hoping that soon rescue and relief would come to them. Can they live long enough with the bombings taking place almost daily to witness the freeing of their country and their village.

The story moves to years later when Geneviève, the sister of one of the characters and the wife of an American musician, returns each summer to France. She brings her wartime feelings and as her daughter, Polly learns more about the times of war, she feels she can begin to understand a mother that always has seemed distant to her. Links to the past are what drives her and often we see how those this affect the very person we ultimately become.

Told through the interchanging of time periods, this story is slow moving and brings up the devastation that war bring onto families. At times, this flipping back and forth between generations made for a somewhat hard to follow scenario for me. However, this book was wonderfully written and again brought forward the desolation and havoc that the winds of war bring onto families. They, these winds, never leave but rustle through lives leaving behind loss and ruin.

Thank you to Abigail DeWitt, Harper Books, and Edelweiss for a copy of this book.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...
My reviews can also be seen here: http://yayareadslotsofbooks.wordpress...

[DJ Sakata · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Rating:

4.5

Favorite Quotes:

“Mam was at her snoring again. Thought it was the cannons firing from Bamburgh to signal a shipwreck.” He opens one eye. “Don’t tell her I said that.”

I’ve seen how often women marry and become less of themselves, like scraps of pastry cut away and reused in some other, less important way.

She is utterly in thrall of him and I am ashamed to feel a prick of jealousy as I observe her, knowing she will never look at me that way. Daughters never hold their mother’s affection the way their sons do. Daughters are dutiful, dependable and disposable. Sons are brave and admirable, essential to the continuation of the family line.

But it isn’t just her face he can’t forget. It’s the particular sense of purpose and determination that dripped from her like honey from a spoon. So slender in form and yet so immense in personality and character.

She gazes up at me with eyes the color of winter seas and I see in her some greater wisdom; as if she understands that she is not just my daughter, but the sum of generations of strong courageous women who came before her, an echo of them all lingering in her soul.

My Review:

It wasn’t until I had finished reading that I noticed that this epic and poignant book was based on true events, and while I was already impressed by the artistry and quality of the book, that little nugget just blew me away. The writing was beautifully rendered, lushly detailed, and emotively crafted to hit all the feels. The storylines were complex and well woven, yet felt authentic from beginning to end. I cannot imagine the massive amount of research required for such an undertaking. I – am - in - awe.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace Darling and her family have manned the Longstone Lighthouse in Northumberland England for all of her life. The year is 1838, and during a terrifying storm Grace and her father risk their lives to save the survivors of a nearby shipwreck. Grace soon becomes a national hero, a position that makes her uncomfortable with the fame. Grace is hounded by admirers, but the only one who interests her is George Emmerson, an artist she met while he was visiting the island. He had not only captured her image, but also her heart. Grace, though, craves the solitude of the lighthouse and is hesitant to give up the pleasure she takes in the lighthouse duties and the beauty of the island.
100 years later, Matilda Emmerson is about to leave Ireland for Newport, Rhode island. Unmarried and pregnant she has been sent to live with Harriet Flaherty, a relative she has never met. Harriet is the keeper at Rose Island Lighthouse, and Matilda quickly comes to love the lighthouse, and spends her days there assisting Harriet. As she uncovers a half finished portrait, some letters and mementos, she discovers a connection to the infamous Grace Darling.
Though the two women are separated by a century, their bravery, fortitude and fierce independence link them to one another.
It is clear that the author did extensive research on Grace Darling, and created a wonderful depiction of her life and courage.

[Brenda ~The Sisters~Book Witch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter was an unexpected gem I stumbled upon thanks to HarperCollins Canada. I quickly added it as a group read for the Traveling Sisters and along with Norma, Lindsay and I two other sisters joined in on the discussion with us.

It’s an emotional gem of a story that is so perfectly paced and took us on the best possible emotional journey I could imagine. The characters crept into our hearts and haven’t let go.  This story and the characters are unforgettable and compelling with their bravery and strength.

The strength of the story lies in the emotions that drive the story forward.  From the moment we opened this book till the final pages we took a heartbreaking and heart-wrenching journey that explores bravery, duty, love, sacrifice, and loss. The characters here are not only brave with their actions but with their hearts.

Inspired by true events Hazel Gaynor develops compelling characters and completely emerges us in their timelines.  They inspired us, brought us to tears and found a spot in our hearts.

This story makes for such a great discussion for groups reads to share your emotional journey with.   I highly recommend this emotional and unforgettable story.

Thank you to HarperCollins Canada for an ARC to read and review.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter brings a story of Grace Darling who became a national hero of England after a shipwreck rescue.

Ireland, 1938. Matilda, daughter of a local politician is four months pregnant and unmarried. Thus, she is sent across the world to Rhode Island to spend the remaining five months with a reclusive relative, who is an assistant lighthouse keeper in Newport.

Farne Islands, England, 1838. Grace, daughter of the lighthouse keeper, has patience and a keen eye, which is essential for keeping watch over the sea. When a storm crashes a ship, she notices survivors on the rocks. With her father, risking their lives, they rescue those who survived the shipwreck; among them Sarah, who was on the way to visit her brother, George Emmerson, in Scotland.

News of brave Grace spread across England, making her the national hero as she continues to insist she only did her duty, emphasizing her father’s bravery. Artists are sent to capture Grace’s likeness as everyone wants to put a face to the name.

Not long before Grace becomes the national hero, she meets George Emmerson. A man she develops feelings for, but he is promised to another. There is a warm love nuance which doesn’t overwhelm the story. It’s touchingly woven.

I enjoyed the stories of all women, but there is something special about true heroine Grace, who is humble, skilled oarswoman, and claims that she only did her duty for those in peril.

The story briefly mentions Ida Lewis, American lighthouse keeper, who for her remarkable service of saving lives was highly rewarded. It was also interesting to learn about another brave woman across the ocean.

The first part of the story interestingly develops characters with depth and uniqueness which is important in a theme where all characters are connected to lighthouses. All those characters stand out on their own and bring something distinctive to the story. The second part brings them closer in some way, the interesting weaving of the story and unexpected developments make it a very engaging read.

With beautiful prose and enchanting storytelling, we’re taken on an extraordinary journey of exceptional women who risked their lives to save others.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very fictionalized account of a very real woman’s life. Grace Darling, a lighthouse keeper’s daughter, performed a feat of heroism, for which she was admired and recorded in the annals of history. There is a museum to her in Bamburgh, UK, where she was born, a painting of her painted by Thomas Brooks, and a lovely portrait, which I shall try to reproduce below.



The fictional story is told in a double timeline...Grace’s story beginning in 1838, and Matilda’s in 1938. Gaynor has lifted another character from the history books, Sarah Dawson, and has woven her story and Grace’s together into a riveting tale. As is so often the case, I am loath to talk about the story itself, because I went into it blind and I feel that is the very best way to experience this story. I would have hated to have known a single detail beforehand.

I have been struggling lately to focus my attention on the books I am reading. I have picked up, and put down unread, several books that I have every reason to believe would have been wonderful reads had I been able to apply myself to them. I had no problem with this book. I stepped right into the world of 1838 and the charm of the lighthouses, which I love. As usual, I enjoyed the older story of the two more than the more recent one, but both of these stories being set in past times instead of contemporary made them more interesting, and the tie-in between the two was a lovely way to reveal details of the earlier story.

I will not hesitate to read another book by this author. She was a much-needed break for me, with writing I could get lost in.

[Kate Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an ARC of this book for the purpose of offering a cover quote if I enjoyed it, and I certainly did. Hazel Gaynor (I loved her LAST CHRISTMAS IN PARIS, co-written with Heather Webbe) shines a brilliant light here on female courage and endurance in the face of storms both internal and external. Quiet Grace Darling becomes a heroine of the Victorian age when she performs a daring rescue at sea, and finds her fame harder to endure than the solitude of her lighthouse-bound life. A century later, rebellious Matilda must draw on the legacy of the women who keep the light if she is to navigate her own stormy life, even as a deadly hurricane comes to tear her world apart. A splendid read--"The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter" is not to be missed.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very fictionalized account of a very real woman’s life.

Grace Darling, a lighthouse keeper’s daughter, performed a feat of heroism, for which she was admired and recorded in the annals of history.

And...The fictional story is told in a double timeline...

Grace’s story beginning in 1838...

And Matilda’s in 1938.

With beautiful prose and enchanting storytelling, we’re taken on an extraordinary journey of exceptional women who risked their lives to save others.

[Jocelyn Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really well-written and very clean for a general market novel. I had no idea until after I finished it that the main character was a real historical figure. Gaynor brought her life story to life so beautifully, in a way that honored the woman she was.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't wait to pick up this book each day, I became so engaged with the various characters & their storyline. I hadn't read anything by Gaynor before & picked it up for a challenge, I'm so glad I did!!
This is an emotional, beautifully painted dual timeline historical fiction pulling from two events occurring 100 years apart: the story of Grace Darling ( every time I read that name I must admit visions of the Peter Pan story arose in my head) who assisted with a rescue of shipwrecked survivors in 1838 & became quite renown for the deed; and the Hurricane of 1938 that devastated the New England coast. The author has taken those events and populated them with wonderful fictional & nonfictional characters to weave an interconnected thread over the century of a family bound service through manning the lighthouses. The lighthouse itself and its environs are also vividly portrayed in the novel. My sister Thomasin used to say she imagined the stairwell was a long vein running through the heart of the lighthouse. In one way or another, we have all attached human qualities to these old stone walls so that it has become another member of the family, not just a building housing us.
Grace Darling loves her life with her family on the island living in the lighthouse and is reluctant to leave that life for that of a traditional Victorian young woman.

In 1938, Mathilda finds herself pregnant, unwed & in disgrace. She is sent to a distant relative (Harriet) in RI to live until she has the baby & puts it up for adoption. We're all allowed to make mistakes. It's what we do next is the true test of character. Her life is full of change & uncertainty with a seemingly cold "chaperone". How she reacts to her circumstances is Mathilda's story. The lighthouse connection? Harriet is a lighthouse keeper & as Mathilda is a curious individual, she soon becomes interested in not only the lighthouse but some secrets it is holding.

Okay, I admit I was so immersed in everyone's life that I cried towards the end.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book in 1938 & 1838.

1838: Grace's father's a lighthouse keeper but Grace knows the job just as well as her father does. Sarah Dawson is just 22 years old. She is sailing to Scotland with her two young children. She recently lost a baby, then her husband. As the ship gets near its destination, a storm hits. The ship is destroyed and Sarah and her children end up in the sea. Grace and her father set out in a rowing boat, but by the time they get to Sarah, the children have died.

1938: Matilda Emmerson is leaving Ireland in disgrace. She's travelling with her companion to New York. She is pregnant and has to stay with Harriet, a reclusive lighthouse keeper I till the baby was born. The child was to be put up for adoption. While at the lighthouse, Matilda sorts through an old chest. She learns all a out Grace Darling and the connection between them.

This book is based on the true story of Grace Darling who was a heroine of her time. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters are endearing. The story skips back and forth between the two timelines. They both tied together beautifully at the end. The story is well written and I was drawn in from the first few pages. A story of both joy and sorrow. I do recommend this book.

I would like to thank Netgalley, HarperCollins UK HarperFiction and the author Hazel Gaynor for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 5 out of 5]

1938 Matilda Emmerson is sent by her parents away from Ireland and off to America in disgrace. In America she is to stay with a reclusive relative Harriet Flaherty, who is a lighthouse keeper in Newport, Rhode Island. The other story takes place in 1838 when a fierce storm blows up off the Northumberland Coast. Grace Darling, the lighthouse keeper’s daughter, urges her father that they must go and help try and rescue any survivors from the shipwreck that occurs. These actions and her bravery bring her to the attention of the rest of the world. Widow Sarah Dawson is one of the survivors from S.S Forfarshire, the ship that is wrecked. The decision to go and visit her brother George before his wedding has a profound and tragic impact on her life. Through it though she does maintain a friendship with Grace. As the reader might expect the two times and stories interconnect. Secrets long hidden are unvoiced in the process.
This work of fiction is based on real people, Grace Darling and Sarah Dawson, as well as the American lighthouse keeper Ida Lewis who provided inspiration for the character of Harriet Flaherty. The author explains this at the end of the book. The descriptions in this book are evocative and the characters beautifully drawn. They easily pulled me into the story. I wanted always to keep reading and hated having to put it down. Be warned it is sad though, so you may want to keep the tissues handy.
Anyone who likes historical novels, beautiful writing, great settings and authentic, memorable characters should enjoy this one. I adored it. It was because I had enjoyed this author’s earlier novel The Cottingley Secret that I was so keen to read this one. Plus the fact that I have a fascination with lighthouses. Definitely glad I read this. An involving read, I adored it. Another five star read in 2019.

[Heather Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lighthouse keeper is such a solitary pursuit, it makes one wonder what sort of person would choose it as a profession. A heroine, as it turns out. THE LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER’S DAUGHTER is a beautifully rendered tale of Britain’s most famous lighthouse keeper, Grace Darling, and an American keeper in Newport one hundred years later, whose lives are linked by history and tragedy. Gaynor’s inspired prose portrays the vast landscape of sea and sky, and her characters captured my heart--I even shed a tear. An affecting and gorgeous, book, I relished every page.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I picked up The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter, I expected to enjoy it since I love Hazel Gaynor's writing but what I didn't expect was to feel so many emotions while reading the book or to finish the book a sobbing mess of tears! 

Gaynor's novel is inspired by the true story of Grace Darling, a lighthouse keeper's daughter and is an extraordinary novel that is just gorgeously written and heartwrenching. Gaynor masterfully weaves the story of Grace in 1838 with the story of Matilda Emmerson in 1938, and the story that unfolds is one of strong, brave, inspiring women, yet it's also a story of heartache, unbearable loss, and tragedy.

Grace loves her life on Farne Islands assisting her father, the lighthouse keeper, with the care of Longstone Lighthouse. The island, the coast of Northumberland, and especially the lighthouse are her everything. Helping her father keep the lighthouse lit and watching to keep ship's safely away from the rocky coast is not only her duty but her greatest love...that is until she meets a handsome young artist named George Emmerson who often makes her mind wander from thoughts of the lighthouse to him although she is resolved to forget him and is sure she'll never see him again. 

A storm of magnificent proportions changes Grace's life. As it rages and blows around the lighthouse, Grace spots a shipwreck and knows she and her father have to save the survivors before they lose their lives in the raging storm condition. It's a daring rescue that her father is unwilling to make but Grace is adamant. The rescue is extremely difficult and dangerous, but Grace is brave and determined to hold the boat steady by herself as her father brings the survivors aboard, including one woman, Sarah Dawson, who just happens to be George's sister. 

While Grace sees the rescue of the survivors of the Forfarshire as her duty and not an act of bravery, her act of rescue brings her unexpected and unwanted fame. She begins receiving letters, marriage proposals, money, people begin making trips to the island to look at her, her portrait is painted, and more. It's hard to believe a mere woman is capable of such exceptional bravery and heroism, so everyone must see her and speculate about this young lady! For Grace, it's almost more than she can bear. The only joyful thing that happens is the friendship she develops with Sarah and sees George again, who comes to paint her portrait. Their love story almost undid me!

A century later, Matilda, the great-granddaughter of Sarah Dawson,  is a young girl of nineteen from East Cork, Ireland. She's pregnant and in disgrace with her parents, especially with her cold, distant, and unfeeling mother who has never given Matilda any affection or love. She's being sent to Rhode Island to live with Harriet Flaherty, an unknown, reclusive, and apparently also disgraced relative, who is an assistant lighthouse keeper until her baby is born. Only then can she return home, without her child, as if nothing ever happened.

Matilda finds Harriet aloof but always watchful, caring, and anticipating what Matilda might need. Matilda finds herself wanting to know more about her distant relative the more time they spend together, so Matilda spends much of her time with Harriet at the lighthouse not only developing a passion and connection to the lighthouse like Grace and Harriet before her but also learning about Harriet and developing an odd sort of friendship that deepens as time passes. 

Matilda also begins researching her family history after uncovering documents that have been in the family for generations. She soon discovers the friendship between her great-grandmother and Grace Darling, and the story of Grace's daring rescue. She also finds a half-finished painting of a woman she believes to be of Grace drawn by George. While Matilda discovers the story of Grace's bravery and how it connects to her own family and uncovers a forgotten love story, she also discovers exactly who she is and decides the kind of woman she wants to be--not the one her mother demands of her. Bravery is a parallel theme running in all the women's lives in this book...Grace, Sarah, Harriet, and Matilda. 

The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter is a story that both inspired me because of the determination, courage, and boldness of these women who reminded me that women can achieve anything they put their minds to and it also broke my heart in tiny pieces. I warn you now to have tissues ready when reading this book! Gaynor has written a truly magnificent novel that I highly recommend! It's truly wonderful, heartbreaking, and enthralling.

The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter publishes on October 9, 2018, so be sure to pick up a copy--and tissues!

**Thank you Edelweiss and William Morrow for an ARC copy to read and review in exchange for my fair and honest review.**

[Kellie O'Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 shiny stars rating from me!! ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

" They call me a heroine, but I am not deserving of such accolades. I am just an ordinary young woman who did her duty." ---- Grace Darling

"I admire the delicate filagree clasp of the locket and the words etched on the back.... even the brave were once afraid '"

I finished reading this book a few days ago, and I am still struggling with how to write my review. So many others have read this story and wrote beautiful reviews. I'm at a loss for words to describe the story.... to do this lovely book justice. It's a duel timeline from 1838 to 1938. To find the words that haven't already been said is difficult without giving anything away. I could tell you all about Grace Darling along with her parents who ran the lighthouse in Northumberland, England in 1838. I could tell you about the shipwreck of the Forfsrshire in 1838 and how Grace and her Dad risked their own lives to rescue all that they could. I can tell you about Sarah Emmerson and how they saved her life. I could tell you all about Matilda, Harriet and Joseph in Newport, Rhode Island in 1938. I could tell you what links the past to the future. But, I won't. Instead, I will tell you that this book could not be anymore beautifully and poetically written. It's extremely well written with care and very well researched by Hazel Gaynor. Grace Darling was a real person and this is her story. It's a wonderful story of courage, love, hope and faith in God. I absolutely loved it and it fulfilled another one of my goals to read more books at home! If you like stories about strong female characters, courage and lighthouses, read it!! ⚓✨

" There will always be someone willing to save us, Grace. Even a stranger whose names we don't know. That is the best part of humanity. That is what puts my mind at ease on a day like today." -----Mr. Darling

" Twas on the Longstone Lighthouse,
There dwelt an English maid,
Pure as the air around her,
Of danger ne'er afraid."

One of the most beautiful books I've ever read!! 💛 I very highly recommend this emotionally moving book! Happy Father's Day!

Enjoy and Happy Reading 💫 ✨ ⚓

[Andy Marr · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 30%. Two completely overblown stories, full of cheap melodrama and ridiculous twists.

[Tamar...playing hooky for a few hours today · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, I'm having trouble writing this review. I didn't love the book, it was not really a fit for me. I love books with strong women characters and there were a few in this book - not merely the three main protagonists but also some of the more minor characters who were fleshed out to a degree commensurate with their roles in the story. All of the women bear a cross of one kind or another. One is widowed and lost her children, another gave up her child and then lost a child, one is fated never to be united with her love, one can never fill the job for which she is most suited, all but one are mothers – some fulfilled, some less so.

There were some truly terrifying stormy sea scenes that were gripping, but otherwise I did not find the book exciting. The story was long, with two timelines approximately 100 years apart. The timelines are related and three of the women are blood relations, all three living and working in lighthouses on either side of the Atlantic, two of whom courageously battle the stormy sea and save lives. All three make (different) huge sacrifices for different reasons. There is unrequited love. There were so many interesting components in this book and the writing was fluid. I don't know why didn’t I love it.

I borrowed and listened to the audio from Hoopla. Imogen Church did a fine job narrating.

Vilhelm Melbye

[Sharon Metcalf · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the things I've liked most about the two Hazel Gaynor novels I've read is the way she incorporates real historical events and reimagines the lives of people from out of our history books. In the case of The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter one of the two protagonists was Grace Darling. Both in the novel and in real life Grace was a lighthouse keeper's daughter and as a young woman she became famous for her role in rescuing some passengers off a shipwrecked vessel. In the pages of history and Gaynor's novel Grace Darling helped rescue Sarah Dawson and as a result they developed a lasting friendship.

In the novel there are two alternating time lines one hundred years apart. The first is Grace's story which begins in 1838, the year she gained notoriety for her courage and daring during that rescue. The other is set in 1938 and the protagonist of that time is Matilda, a young, unmarried, pregnant girl banished by her parents from her home in Ireland to a distant relative in America. Both storylines were interesting and kept me equally engaged throughout. The characters were well developed and I appreciated the historical elements, particularly with respect to attitudes towards women in both era's. I've never really thought about life in a lighthouse but this book gave me plenty to consider about the conditions and the lifestyles of those men and women keeping the lamps burning and their responsibilities to keeping sailors and their vessels safe.

Hazel Gaynor's fictionalised version of Grace Darling and Sarah Dawson's lives linked the two storylines neatly together.

I listened to this novel and the narrator Imogen Church did an excellent job bringing the characters to life in much the same way as Hazel Gaynor brought the story to life.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love lighthouses. I seem to be drawn to them. I find the history most interesting.
This novel is another great read from Hazel Gaynor. It is based on the true story of Grace Darling, the heroine of the Farne Isles.

“They call me a heroine, but I am no deserving of such accolades. I am just an ordinary young woman who did her duty.”

Grace Darling lived in Northumberland England. Her father was the keeper of the Longstone Lighthouse on the Farne Isles.
Grace was a very strong and independent woman and assisted her father in his daily routines of the lighthouse. She even stood watch for any events that may occur. Grace loved the lighthouse and the sea. There was a horrific storm in 1838 while Grace stood watch. She persuaded her father to search for survivors of a shipwreck.

This story alternates between 1838 and 1938 with Matilda’s story.
In 1938 Matilda is sent from Ireland to Newport Rhode Island. She is pregnant with no husband. She is to stay in Rhode Island and return to Ireland without her child. Adoption is her only option according to her parents.
She is to live with a distant relative and everything will be taken care off.
Harriet is also a lighthouse keeper. Matilda discovers family secrets, when she finds an unfinished picture.

Both stories are intertwined and very engaging. This book is very well written.
It is an inspiring story of brave young women.
It should be read by all.

[Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall: A lyrical, beautifully written novel featuring dual timelines with strong heroines in each. This novel will completely transport you and is a lovely escape. Based on the true story of Grace Kelly, fans of historical fiction will love this 4/10 or 7.5/10

Summary:
“Even the brave were once afraid. However well I might hide it, the truth is, I am terrified.”
This novel is told in two timelines and centered on two heroines. The first storyline focuses on the true story of Grace Darling starting in 1838. Grace is the daughter of a lighthouse keeper in Northumberland, England and one night her father and she rescue survivors of a shipwreck during a horrible storm. Grace instantly becomes celebrated throughout England and a heroine of her time. The story follows her life and how she deals with all the changes that the newfound fame brings. The second story follows 19 year old Matilda in Newport Rhode Island. Matilda finds herself pregnant and is shipped off in disgrace from Ireland to Newport to live with a relative, Harriet. Harriet is a lighthouse keeper and the story follows Matilda and her unlikely friendship with Harriet as she develops a new life in Newport.

The Good: This story is written beautifully with great descriptions that transports you and makes you feel like you are there. Both characters are likable though Matilda is fictional so I really enjoyed learning more about Grace. The plot is engaging, very fast reading, and I had a hard time putting this down. My highlights were learning the true story of Grace, lovely descriptions and writing, moderate/good character development, and strong women that the book is centered on. A great read for fans of historical fiction.

The Bad: Some cliches, coincidences, and a few parts that felt superficial. I did not feel that the romance added much to the story, especially the story of Grace.

Favorite Quotes:
“There will always be someone willing to save us, Grace. Even a stranger whose name we don’t know. That is the very best of humanity. That is what puts my mind at ease on a day like today.”

"They call me a heroine, but I am not deserving of such accolades. I am just an ordinary young woman who did her duty.”